Why a Former Islamophobic Politician––Arnoud van Doorn––Accepted Islam

Conversion by Aversion? Featuring Arnoud van Doorn, Former Member of the Dutch Freedom Party

As far-right parties obsess about the danger Islam presents to the western lifestyle, some Islamic scholars are increasingly concerned about the danger the western lifestyle presents to Islam. Arnoud van Doorn argues that if moderate Muslims don’t step up their game, within the next 20 to 40 years, Islam may be gone from Europe. Are those fears really justified? To discuss this, Oksana is joined by Arnoud van Doorn, a former member of the Dutch Freedom Party who converted to Islam and a representative of the Party of Unity in The Hague City Council.

Conversion by Aversion? Featuring Arnoud van Doorn, Former Member of the Dutch Freedom Party

Arnoud van Doorn: Why I Converted to Islam | Full Lecture

Lecture held in Maldives Alimas Carnival.

Turkey Referendum Dispute: Interview with Arnoud Van Doorn on Turkey-Netherlands Row

Arnoud Van Doorn, a Hague City Council Member and the leader of PVDE party, also known as the Unity Party, talks to TRT World about political dispute between two countries. He was a member of Wilders’ right-wing Freedom Party until the end of 2011 and personal friend of Wilders. But then he declared his conversion to Islam.

Arnoud van Doorn: Why I Converted to Islam

Arnoud van Doorn’s Son Converting to Islam in Dubai

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Son of Distributor of Anti-Islam Film Fitna Accepts Islam

Iskander with his father, Arnoud.

KHALEEJ TIMES: Arnoud van Doorn's son, Iskander Amien De Vrie, was one of the 37 people who converted to Islam during the Dubai International Peace Convention.

The son of Arnoud van Doorn, the famous Dutch policy maker and distributor of an anti-Islam film Fitna that caused unrest in 2008, surprised the audiences at the three-day Dubai International Peace Convention by 
embracing Islam.

Arnoud’s son, Iskander Amien De Vrie, was one of the 37 people who converted to Islam during the convention.

“I bear witness that there is no God to be worshipped but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his worshipper and last messenger,” said Iskander in his Shahadah (testimony) to become a Muslim.

…

“I saw my father become more peaceful after converting to Islam. That’s when I realised there is something good in this religion and it made me change my perception of Muslims. I started studying the Holy Quran and going through lectures of important scholars,” said Iskander in an interview with Khaleej Times. » | Muaz Shabandri | Monday, April 21, 2014

Former PVV-er Returns with Anti-Gay, Pro-Islam Party

NL TIMES: A former PVV politician from The Hague who once helped produce a film depicting Islam as evil and extreme, Arnoud van Doorn sings a totally different tune these days.

In an interview with Algemeen Dagblad last week, he said that since quitting the anti-Islam party, he has now actually converted to the religion and started his own Islamic Party for Unity, with which he is contending for three seats during the municipal elections on March 19.

His party is against the anti-Muslim atmosphere in The Hague and also against the pro-homosexuality tendencies. “They promote homosexuality. You don’t have to go out and promote how fantastic that lifestyle is,” he said about how much focus there is in the manifestos of GroenLinks, D66 and PvdA for equality for gays. Personally he would rather see an end to the municipal support for promotional campaigns and gay-events like Pink Saturday.

When AD asked him if what he thinks about two gays walking hand in hand in the city, he didn’t have an answer ready. “Let’s just say that people should be reserved about the affection they show each other in public. Don’t provoke with it. Keep your private life private,” he said. He explained that he does not discriminate gays. “We are against discrimination of gays as people. But we reject homosexual actions,” he said, adding that this comes from the Islamic ideologies his party is founded on. » | Marvin Hokstam | Sunday, March 02, 2014

Hague Alderman Could Get Prison

NL TIMES: The Hague City Council member, Arnoud van Doorn (Partij van de Eenheid) is facing 6 month imprisonment with 2 months probation for selling weed to minors, leaking confidential information, and possession of a weapon.

Van Doorn gave his access card to the City Council to a journalist of AD/Haagse Courant, who in turn stole confidential information.

Police reportedly also found an alarm pistol under his bed. » | Posted by Audrey Graandogst | Saturday, February 01, 2014

Arnoud Van Doorn - The Former Islamophobe Who Accepted Islam

Saudi Arabia: Al-Sudais Honors Dutch Revert

ARAB NEWS: Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Two Holy Mosques, on Tuesday honored Arnoud van Doorn, a prominent Dutch politician who embraced Islam, by conferring on him his cloak. Van Doorn was a leading member of the rightist Freedom Party of Geert Wilders who produced “Fitna” film abusing the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The heart-warming event took place at the opening of a conference on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) at Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. The conference’s participants, including academics and religious scholars, applauded Sudais’ gesture.

“This again reflects the greatness and truthfulness of Islam as a divine religion,” said Fuad Kawther, an engineer interested in dawa activities. He also pointed out that some of the staunch enemies of the Prophet used to stand near by his house during the night to listen to his recitation from the Holy Qur’an. » | P. K. Abdul Ghafour | Jeddah | Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Arnoud van Doorn: From Anti-Islamic Film-maker to Hajj Pilgrim

Hajji Arnoud van Doorn

Why is a former member of Geert Wilders' anti-Islamic Party for Freedom – who made a film claiming Muslims are violent – tweeting from Mecca?
Read why here

Former Enemy of Islam to Establish 1st Islamic Political Party in Europe

Arnoud van Doorn, convert to Islam

SAUDI GAZETTE: MADINAH – A Dutchman who was involved in a derogatory film about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is aiming to establish the first Islamic political party in Europe.

The party will focus on serving Islam and Muslims not only in the Netherlands but Europe as whole, said Arnoud van Doorn, who was involved in the production of the controversial “Fitna”.

Van Doorn had reverted to Islam about a year ago and performed Haj this year.

He also performed Umrah in February.

“The party will comprise a large number of Muslim members as well as non-Muslim members who sympathize with Islam and Muslims,” he said.

Van Doorn regretted taking part in the film, which he said contained a lot of misleading and incorrect information about the Prophet (pbuh).

However, he also denied producing or directing “Fitna”.

“I only publicized and marketed the film while I was responsible for information and public relations in Geert Wilders’ political party (Dutch Party for Freedom), which produced the film,” he said.

Van Doorn said his new political party would project the virtues of Islam in Europe and elsewhere.

He said: “I have taken a solemn pledge to work day and night in the service of Islam to atone for my previous sins. I hope that Allah will accept my repentance and forgive me.”

Van Doorn said he will produce a film called “Muhammad: Master of Human Beings” in collaboration with the Canadian Dawa Society, which had invited him to perform Haj. » | Majed Al-Sugairi | Okaz/Saudi Gazette | Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Van Doorn, l'ex-islamophobe neerlandais, effectue son pèlerinage et prépare un film sur le prophète Mohammed

LEMAG: Arnoud van Doorn, l'ancien membre du Parti de la Liberté, parti de l'extrême droite néerlandaise connu pour ses positions haineuses contre l'islam et l'immigration, et producteur du film blasphématoire anti-Islam "Fitna", effectue cette année son pèlerinage après sa conversion à l'Islam.

Arnoud Van Doorn prévoit, après le pèlerinage, de produire un film pro-Islam sur les enseignements du Prophète Mohammed, selon un quotidien saoudien. Après son arrivée dans la ville sainte de La Mecque, il dit vivre les plus beaux jours de sa vie dans un lieu où il n'a cessé de pleurer depuis qu'il y est arrivé.

Van Doorne a confié que ses prières sont incessantes pour que ses péchés soient effacés, ajoutant qu'il compte produire un film sur l'Islam, reflétant les vertus du prophète Mohammed. » | Ahmed Bellasri | Lemag | dimanche 20 octobre 2013

Hajji Now

Arnoud Van Doorn in Mekkah on Hajj

After converting to Islam some months ago, Arnoud Van Doorn has just performed the Hajj. He may therefore now be known as Hajji Arnoud. Hajji is the name given to a man who has performed the Hajj. He has now found himself “among these faithful hearts”. He hope his tears of regret will wash out all his sins after his repentance,” he said as his tears flowed. Fitna Producer Performs Hajj »

KHALEEJ TIMES: Arnoud to produce pro-Islam film »

‘Fitna’ Producer Finds Peace in the Holy Sites

Arnoud Van Doorn talks to Okaz/SG reporter in Mina

SAUDI GAZETTE: MINA — A once strident anti-Islam activist who gained notoriety as the producer of Fitna, a derogatory film wrongly portraying Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), has found peace and tranquility while performing Haj this year.


 Arnoud Van Doorn, a former member of the Geert Wilders racist Dutch Party for Freedom, reverted to Islam a year ago after propagating against the divine religion for years.

Van Doorn bitterly regrets having taken part in the production of the hateful film Fitna (Sedition) and said he was in the holy sites to atone for his sins.

“I found myself among these faithful hearts. I hope that my tears of regret will wash out all my sins after my repentance,” Van Doorn said.

He said, as a token of atonement, he will produce a new film that will show the true essence of Islam and the correct personality of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Van Doorn described Fitna as a totally wrong movie which contained a lot of misleading and incorrect information that had nothing to do with the noble divine religion or its great Prophet (pbuh).

He said that since his arrival in this holy land, he has been living the best days of his life and he hoped that he could spend more time in Madinah to which he was determined to return after the completion of his Haj rites.

“I felt ashamed standing in front of the Prophet’s grave. I thought of the grave mistake which I had made by producing that sacrilegious film. I hope that Allah will forgive me and accept my repentance,” he said.

Van Doorn said he read a lot about Islam and regretted his erstwhile hostility to this great religion. [Source: Saudi Gazette] | Hamza Mohammed | Okaz/Saudi Gazette

Pays-Bas: un ex-député du PVV, reconverti à l'Islam, lance un parti politique islamique

ATLAS INFO.fr: Un ancien député du parti pour la liberté (extrême-droite-PVV), reconverti à l'Islam, a décidé de lancer un parti politique basé sur les principes et les valeurs islamiques.

Arnoud van Doorn avait fait sensation, en mars dernier, en révélant publiquement sa conversion à l'islam, quittant le parti de Geerts Wilders, connu pour sa propagande islamophobe. Wilders était par ailleurs à l'origine du film anti-islam +Fitna+ qui a suscité une vague de contestation dans le monde musulman.

Le nouveau parti sera fondé sur "les principes et les valeurs islamiques et ouvert à tous, sans discrimination", a expliqué Van Doorn sur Twitter.

Van Doorn siège toujours au conseil de la ville de La Haye en tant qu'indépendant. [Source: Atlas Info.fr] | lundi 09 septembre 2013

Ex-Islamophobe to Produce Film on Islam, the Prophet
From Darkness to Light
RADIANCE VIEWS WEEKLY – EXTRACT: …[Arnoud van] Doorn repented for his involvement in the blasphemous film. “It was unfortunate that I did not make any efforts to know what really Islam is and who the Prophet is before blindly believing in the misinformation campaign being unleashed by the anti-Islamic forces. When I came to realise that it was not Islam, I decided to study about the religion and that led to my conversion,” he said. “Now, I am really enjoying the beauty of Islam and am extremely delighted in Allah’s great blessing to guide me onto His path. It is an explicable experience for me,” he said adding that his former colleagues in the Freedom Party are angry at his acceptance of Islam, which is still a bête noire for them. “The party stands against Islam and its spreading in Europe. Some of them now consider me as a traitor.”

The 46-year-old has continued on The Hague Council as an independent candidate since splitting from Wilders’s party. Doorn, who now serves as a regional adviser at the City Hall in The Hague, filed a formal application to the mayor of the city to allow him to perform prayers obligatory for Muslims during his working hours.

Doorn has a message to those who oppose his reversion to Islam. “Let me tell them that this is my personal decision and I see a new life in Islam that I don’t want any way to give it up. I happened to see on social networking sites several comments, expressing feelings of antagonism and hatred toward me,” he said adding that all these sprang out of ignorance, contempt and animosity against Islam and the Muslims. He also thanked all those who supported him and commended him for beginning a new life as a Muslim. Referring to his visit to the holy land, Doorn said: “Had anybody mentioned me about visiting the land of the two holy mosques earlier, I would have called him a lunatic.

“But what happened now is realisation of a dream and it is still unbelievable for me that I am now in the holy city that hosted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him).” He continued saying: “I couldn’t control my feelings when I stood in front of the grave of the Prophet as well as in Rawdah Sharif, near the pulpit used by the Prophet. When I prayed at Rawdah Sharaif, my eyes were full of tears as I had the feeling that I am in a part of the Paradise.” … Read on and comment » | Majed Al-Sugairi | Undated

‘Damage’ Control: Ex-Islamophobe to Make Film on Prophet Mohammed

AL ARABIYA – EXTRACT: Referring to his visit to the holy land, Doorn said: “Had anybody mentioned me about visiting the land of the two holy mosques earlier, I would have called him a lunatic.

“But what happened now is realization of a dream and it is still unbelievable for me that I am now in the holy city that hosted the Prophet (pbuh).” He continued saying: “I couldn’t control my feelings when I stood in front of the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) as well as in Rawdah Sharif, near the pulpit used by the Prophet (pbuh). When I prayed at Rawdah Sharaif, my eyes were full of tears as I had the feeling that I am in a part of the Paradise.”

Doorn said that he was amazed to see the intensity of love and affection the Muslims have for their Prophet (pbuh). “I also realized the intensity of hatred that some Westerners have against Islam and the Prophet (pbuh) and that was based apparently on their ignorance and prejudice.

“Therefore, I decided to make endeavors to repair the damage caused by the offensive film, which was produced with an ulterior motive of creating sedition in between Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said, adding that he took a pledge in front of the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) that he would strive to spread his true message and his great qualities that are instrumental in promoting peace and harmonious relations among the people worldwide.

While thanking CDA for introducing Islam to him, Doorn unveiled his plans to associate with its Dawa wing, which is comprised of several well-known Islamic preachers and scholars. Read it all » | Majed Al-Sugairi, Saudi Gazette | Tuesday, April 23, 2013