A former Dutch politician who once said “Islam is a lie” and the “Quran is poison” describes his first Ramadan after becoming Muslim last year.
Joram van Klaveren, 39, announced his conversion to Islam on Monday 4 February.
Whilst writing a book on Islam, Klaveren said his views on Islam changed before he became Muslim in October 2018.
From 2010 to 2014, Van Klaveren was as a member of parliament for the far-right and anti-Islam ‘Freedom Party’ (PVV).
He resigned after PVV leader Geert Wilders made racist comments about Moroccan Muslims.
The following status which has been authenticated by Mr Klavern was posted on a Facebook fan page describing his first Ramadan:
“My first Ramadan after converting to Islam:
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“It was an exciting moment, I was bit tensed and confident. My only concern was ‘ will I be able to keep my first fast quietly! which is about 18 hours long’. Alhamdulillah I woke up at 3am took my Sehri with my Wife. After morning prayer we slept again.
“The day was going, I felt myself very calm, devoted and less worldly. I kept feeling spirituality in myself. In the middle of the day, I felt my stomach is empty and it looking for liquid substance. Bit pain was flawing inside my whole body, it was an excellent feeling which I experienced during my Shahada.
“I just prayed, Allah may give success over my hardship. I was feeling something happening inside by body when the ultimate time of iftar coming closer. It was a feeling like I am swimming and my sin is falling down from my body like water. Allah witness.
“I was calm, patient and enthusiastic with some juice, foods in front of me for iftar and waiting for the calling time. A Turkish brother sent a gift of Arabia Date. The final time came, I took a date and juice, Alhamdulillah. I feel my Lord took a mercy to me. Tears blowing from my eyes, I was thinking this is Islam for what the dress of my Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was blooded. He (pbuh) was hurt, wounded and got torture from the enemy.
“I think the blessing of Ramadan is a tool to purify Muslims. And teach them not to disobey Allah.”
