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

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

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

Ex-Islamophobe to Produce Film on Prophet

SAUDI GAZETTE: MADINAH – Former Dutch Islamophobe Arnoud Van Doorn unveiled plans to produce an international film on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam.

In an exclusive interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Doorn, who reverted to Islam last month, said that he will devote his life fully to spread the true message of Islam and the Prophet of Mercy through promoting the film across the world.

“I will spare no efforts to protect the rights of Muslims in all European countries as well as to serve Islam and its followers throughout the world. I will try my best to repair the damage that I caused to Islam and its Prophet (peace be upon him) through the film ‘Fitna’,” he said.

Doorn, a former leading member of far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party, visited Saturday the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray and say sorry for becoming part of the blasphemous film. Doorn was among the Freedom Party leaders who produced the film, Fitna.

After visiting the Prophet’s Mosque, he arrived in Makkah Sunday and performed Umrah. Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and other presidency officials received him.

In the interview, Doorn said that he regrets being a part of such an offensive film. “However, now it is a closed chapter and absolutely I don’t want to recall about it. The film that sparked widespread reactions was a totally wrong step on our part as it contains a lot of misleading and incorrect information that are nothing to with this noble divine religion and its Prophet (pbuh),” he said, adding that he wants to do some remedial work so as to minimize the damage caused by ‘Fitna.’

Doorn said he decided, in cooperation with the Toronto-based CDA, to produce an international film aimed at removing misgivings about Islam and its Prophet (pbuh).

“I will use all my experience in producing an alternative film, which will speak about the true image of Islam and all aspects of the personality of the Prophet (pbuh) as well as his great qualities.” » | Majed Al-Sugairi | Okaz/Saudi Gazette | Monday, April 22, 2013

Arnoud van Doorn: Once an Islamophobe, Now a Pilgrim
Arnoud van Doorn has visited the mosque of Prophet Muhammad in Madinah in order to express regret for participating in the making of the ‘blasphemous’ film Fitna and to pray. Tearful van Doorn says that “finding Islam is a dream come true.”

It was inspiring, he says, to meet with the Imam of The Prophet’s Mosque, His Excellency Ali Al-Hudayfee, and was grateful to be there. He is also grateful for all the support and resources he has received from Saudi Arabia to spread Islam in The Netherlands, and for all the support he received from ‘his Muslim brothers’ in the Kingdom. Arnoud van Doorn went to Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser pilgrimage, Umrah.

He is keen on presenting a true image of Islam to his countrymen; so by the sound of things, he will soon be performing Dawah back home in The Netherlands. He was invited to Saudi Arabia by the Canadian Dawah Association. Read more »

‘I Am Sorry, O Prophet…’

SAUDI GAZETTE: MADINAH – Former Dutch Islamophobe and a former leading member of far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ party Arnoud Van Doorn visited the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to pray and say sorry for becoming part of a blasphemous film.

Doorn was among the Freedom Party leaders who produced the blasphemous film, Fitna. Last month he reverted to Islam after an extensive study about the religion and the Prophet (peace be upon him).

He said that the worldwide outrage against the film made him study about the Prophet (pbuh) and that eventually led to his conversion.

He headed for Makkah to perform Umrah after meeting the two imams of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi and Sheikh Salah Al-Badar, who enlightened him on how to lead the life of a good Muslim and confront challenges facing Islam in the West. » | Majed Al-Sugairi | Okaz/Saudi Gazette | Monday, April 22, 2013

EuroNews : Europeans – The Netherlands Debate on Islam

Fitna the Movie »

Learning from the Past, Forgetting Never, Being Ever Vigilant: Fitna - Full Movie

Islamic Rages Aimed at Enslaving the West
THE DICKINSON PRESS: Six U.S. military men have been murdered by Afghan security forces seized by what may be labeled Quran-Burning Rage.

Six U.S. military men have been murdered by Afghan security forces seized by what may be labeled Quran-Burning Rage.

These murders are an outrage in and of themselves, but it’s crucial we don’t see them as isolated. They fit into a pattern that above all spreads “dhimmitude,” the submissive state of Christians and Jews (known under Islam as the “dhimmi”) in thrall to Islamic law.

Quran-Burning Rage follows Pastor Jones Rage, which, after a Florida pastor burned a Quran in 2011, seized Afghan Muslims and inspired rioting. Some rioters overran a United Nations outpost and murdered seven U.N. personnel.

Pastor Jones Rage followed “Fitna” Rage, which seized Muslims worldwide even before the release of Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders’ short 2008 film “Fitna.” That film sparked rioting, arson, boycotts, death threats and, as a bonus, charges that led to the protracted trial in the Netherlands of Wilders for “insulting Muslims.” (He was acquitted in 2011.)

“Fitna” Rage followed Teddy Bear Rage, which, in 2007, seized Muslims in Sudan after a British teacher, whose class named a teddy bear “Muhammad,” was sentenced to 15 days for “insulting religion.” Ten thousand Sudanese turned out to call for the teacher’s head instead.

Teddy Bear Rage followed Pope Rage, which seized Muslims after a 2006 address in which Pope Benedict XVI noted a historic reference to Islam’s propensity to spread by violence. Muslim rioting, arson (including church burnings) and the murder of a 65-year-old Italian nun in Somalia ensued. » | Diana West* | The Dickinson Press | Saturday, March 03, 2012

* West is the author of “The Death of the Grown-up: How America’s Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization.”

Ezra Levant on Geert Wilders' Acquittal
A Dutch court on Thursday acquitted controversial right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders on all charges relating to anti-Islamic statements he made in his films and on the Internet. The court said Wilders' comments had been part of a legitimate public debate.

After nearly six months, a trial against Dutch firebrand Geert Wilders ended Thursday in Amsterdam. A court acquitted the right-wing populist politician on charges of incitement, racial hatred and discrimination against Muslims.

In his verdict, leading judge Marcel van Oosten said that, while Wilders' statements were indeed offensive to Muslims, they were also part of the legitimate political debate. Wilders' claim that Islam is a violent religion and his demands for an immigration ban for Muslims had to be viewed in the context of the larger societal debate about immigration policies, the judge argued. He said the statements could not be directly blamed for increasing levels of discrimination against Dutch Muslims.

Wilders' supporters greeted the ruling, and the politician himself smiled as he left the courtroom.

The politician had been on trial since October 2010 because he compared the Koran with Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" in Internet forums and in "Fitna" , a film he made that was extremely critical of Islam. In his closing statement, Wilders said that his controversial statements against Islam were protected by the right to free speech. Wilders said he believed the process of Islamization presents a threat to Europe and that it is his right and duty to warn the public about it.

If he had been convicted, Wilders could have faced up to one year in jail or a fine of up to €7,600 ($10,865). At the peak of the controversy over his statements, Wilders was once even banned from entering the United Kingdom.

After making strong gains in elections in the Netherlands last summer, Wilders' party has become the third strongest in parliament. Although it is not technically part of the government, Wilders party supports the minority government, which is comprised of the center-right Liberal Party and the conservative Christian Democrats and which would collapse without backing from Wilders' Party of Freedom.

Wilders' comments sparked a massive debate on the integration of Muslims in Europe that has helped fuel other populist movements around the continent. In Germany , politician Thilo Sarrazin wrote a bestselling book warning that Muslim immigrants were dumbing the country down.


HT: Gates Of Vienna »

Geert Wilders 'Delighted' after Being Cleared of 'Hate Speech'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Geert Wilders, the prominent Dutch anti-Muslim politician, has been cleared of "hate speech" crimes for comparing the Koran to Mein Kampf and Islam to Nazism in an Amsterdam court.

Judges ruled that although Mr Wilders, whose anti-Islam Freedom Party came third in Dutch national elections last year, had made "hurtful and shocking", his comments were legitimate in terms of a lively Dutch public debate on multiculturalism.

Mr Wilders, 47, was put on trial after complaints of incitement to racial hatred were levelled against him by Muslims after he released a film which presented Islam as the biggest threat to world peace.

Fitna, meaning "strife" in Arabic, juxtaposed pages of the Koran with images of September 11 2001 terrorist attacks and fundamentalist burka clad Muslims with placards warning Europe to "be prepared for the real holocaust".

The flamboyant, peroxide blond Dutch MP, who now holds the balance of power in the Netherlands by lending parliamentary support to the minority government, also described the Koran as "fascist", comparing it to Hitler's book Mein Kampf, a text that is banned in the Netherlands.

In one opinion piece cited during the trial, he wrote: "I've had enough of Islam in the Netherlands; let not one more Muslim immigrate." » | Bruno Waterfield | Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fitna: The Movie
To mark Geert Wilders’ acquittal in The Netherlands, and to celebrate of freedom of speech, I am re-posting "Fitna” today

Comment on Always On Watch’s website »

Geert Wilders Acquitted on Hate Speech Charges

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right politician, has been acquitted on charges of hate speech and discrimination for statements he made attacking Islam.

Judge Marcel van Oosten told Mr Wilders, 47, who has been on trial in the Amsterdam regional court since last October, ruled that his statements were "acceptable within the context of the public debate".

The Dutch MP faced five counts of hate speech and discrimination for his anti-Islamic remarks on websites, internet forums and in Dutch newspapers between October 2006 and March 2008, and in his controversial 17-minute movie "Fitna" ("Discord" in Arabic).

The leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom's (PVV) acquittal comes on the backdrop of a prosecution unwilling to take up the case against the platinum-haired parliamentarian, who claimed before court he was "defending freedom in the Netherlands" against Islam. » | Thursday, June 23, 2011

Wilders Trial Coming to an End
RADIO NETHERLANDS WORLDWIDE: The trial of Geert Wilders is nearly over. On Thursday, the three Amsterdam district court judges conducting the trial will announce their verdict. It is widely expected that Mr Wilders will be acquitted on all the charges facing him.

If that is the case, the 29-month legal struggle which saw one of the country’s most popular and influential politicians accused of hate-mongering will come to an end.

It started back in January 2009 when justices of the Amsterdam court ordered the public prosecutor to bring charges against Mr Wilders of inciting hatred and discrimination, based on a number of his anti-Islamic statements published in the national media, as well as Mr Wilders’ film, Fitna.

The trial was supposed to be about

One moment during the dozens of courtroom sessions encapsulated what, for many, the trial was supposed to be about. Twenty-four-year-old law student Naoual Abaida, daughter of a Moroccan immigrant, stood in the courtroom not two metres from Mr Wilders. She was allowed to speak as one of the ‘injured parties’; one of the people who had initially petitioned the Justice Ministry to prosecute him.

Looking into his eyes she said his “insulting, polarising and provocative language has set the tone for a country becoming increasingly intolerant.”

The trial was really about

But for Mr Wilders and his high-profile defence lawyer, Bram Moszkowicz, the trial has been about free speech. To them, Mr Wilders is being persecuted for expressing his opinion. They have persuaded much of the Dutch public that this is what the trial is really about.

The courtroom trial got underway in January 2010. Cameras were allowed to film without restrictions during court sessions, a first in the Netherlands. The country has since followed the trial closely.

Islam on trial

The initial defence strategy was to put Islam on trial. Mr Moszkowicz asked the court to hear 18 witnesses, including various academics known for being highly critical of Islam, but also Mohammed Bouyeri, the convicted murderer of Theo van Gogh. The defence wanted to prove that the statements Mr Wilders had made about Islam were true, and therefore could not be considered as incitement.

The court allowed just three of those witnesses to testify in closed hearings. » | Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Dutch Anti-Islam Lawmaker Wilders Faces Judgement
TIMES OF OMAN: Dutch: Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders faces judgement Thursday in an Amsterdam court for his statements attacking Islam, which he claimed were made to "defend freedom in the Netherlands."

Wilders, 47, will be in the dock as Judge Marcel van Oosten starts his verdict at 9:00 am (0700 GMT) in a trial watched closely by both Wilders' supporters and his detractors and broadcast live.

Wilders faces five counts of hate speech and discrimination for his anti-Islamic remarks on websites, Internet forums and in Dutch newspapers between October 2006 and March 2008, and in his controversial 17-minute movie "Fitna" ("Discord" in Arabic).

In the past he has likened the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and "Fitna" shows shocking images of 9/11 and other terror attacks on western targets interspersed with verses from the Koran.

The 2008 movie caused widespread outrage in Muslim countries and opposition from the Dutch government, who feared it might spark a militant response similar to that which followed the publication in Denmark of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

But Wilders -- one of Europe's most heavily-guarded politicians -- has demanded his acquittal before the court, saying he was "obliged to speak, because the Netherlands is "under threat" from Islam. » | AFP | Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Dutch Seek Jordan's Clarification of Wilders Position
NIS NEWS BULLETIN: THE HAGUE - Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal, in a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, has requested clarification on the court case that hangs over Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders' head in that country.

A court case against the PVV leader for incitement to hatred and insulting the prophet Mohammed in his short anti-Islam film Fitna has already been underway for months in Jordan. The case was brought by radical Muslims. >>> | Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Fitna the Movie