Fitna Producer Performs Hajj

Accepting Islam months ago, a once anti-Islam activist who produced a derogatory film wrongly portraying Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said he has found peace and tranquility while performing hajj this year.

''I found myself among these faithful hearts,'' Arnoud Van Doorn, a former member of Wilders’ Freedom Party.

''I hope that my tears of regret will wash out all my sins after my repentance,'' he added as his tears flow.

Doorn, a former member of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) has embraced Islam earlier this year after an extensive study into the religion.

He was among party leaders who helped produce an offensive film titled Fitna that linked Islam and the Qur’an to violence.

But after Muslim outcry at the movie, Doorn began to read more about Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), leading him to embrace Islam.

Doorn said that since his arrival in this holy land, he has been living the best days of his life.

He added that he hoped that he could spend more time in Madinah to which he was determined to return after the completion of his hajj rites.

Muslims make up one million of the Netherlands’s 16 million population, mostly from Turkish and Moroccan origin.

The number of native Dutch Muslim converts has risen to around 15,000 from 12,000 a few years ago.

Atonement

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 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,'' he said.

''I hope that Allah will forgive me and accept my repentance.''

His visit to the holy lands in Makkah and Madinah is not the first.

After his conversion, the Dutch politician headed for the holy city of Makkah to perform Umrah after meeting the two imams of the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Ali Al-Hudaifi and Sheikh Salah Al-Badar.

He was given sermons by the two imams on how to lead the life of a good Muslim and confront challenges facing Islam in the West.

Expressing joy for being in the holy city of Madinah, Doorn posted different tweets reflecting his feelings.

''Prayer in the Sacred Rawda, Madinah,'' Doorn said in a tweet.

''Inspiring meeting with the Imam of The Prophets Masjid His Excellency Ali Al-Hudayfee,'' another tweet read.