ARNOUD VAN DOORN has become a familiar name in the Muslim world. A Dutch politician, and once a harsh critic of Islam and a former member of the anti-Islamic Party for Freedom, Arnoud in 2008 was a distributor of the film, Fitna, which offended Muslims worldwide because it depicts false, defaming images of Muslims and their Prophet (peace be upon him). Five years after the release of the film, Arnoud shocked the world by embracing Islam. He is a changed man; he converted to Islam after learning more about the religion, which he now calls ‘a religion of peace'. Today, his name is making headlines yet again, as his son, Iskander Amien De Vrie, joins the Muslim faith. Arnoud's son, Iskander Amien De Vrie, surprised audiences when he was among the 37 people who converted to Islam during the Dubai International Peace Convention just last week, on April 18. “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. Iskander said in an interview with Muaz Shabandri of Khaleej Times, “I saw my father become more peaceful after converting to Islam. That's when I realized there is something good in this religion and it made me change my perception of Muslims. I started studying the Holy Qur'an and going through lectures of important scholars.” According to the report, Iskander, 22, was drawn to Islam by a college friend who set a good example of what Muslims really are and how they live their life. His interest in Islam was also ignited by his father's life and how he underwent a transformation to become a more peaceful person. Talking about the anti-Islamic movie, Fitna, Arnoud clarified that he was not involved in its production, but he was responsible for distributing it, and he said that it was a mistake, which he deeply regrets. The righteousness preached in Islam, the teachings that in essence are ordained to preserve human dignity and improve the human condition on all levels – that is what needs to be in a movie about Islam. “I feel an urge and a responsibility to correct the mistakes I have done in the past. I want to use my talents and skills in a positive way by spreading the truth about Islam. I am trying to make a new movie about Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It would show people what examples the Prophet set in his life and the movie would invite younger people to Islam,” said Arnoud in the Khaleej Times report. Both father and son now Muslims, Arnoud is calling on people to support his Islamic Foundation, which is fighting Islamophobia in Europe. He founded the European Dawah Foundation; this man who once had aimed to push people away from Islam is now inviting people to Islam. The team of volunteers at the foundation are working to help bridge the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe, and to correct the common misconceptions about Islam. The son plans to trek the same journey that his father took last year, to travel to Saudi Arabia to visit the holy sites, and he hopes that his mother will embrace Islam soon.
