Former Member of Dutch Anti-Islam Party Becomes a Muslim
Share
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A former Dutch lawmaker who had been fiercely critical of Islam has become a Muslim.
Joram van Klaveren was a lawmaker in the Party of Freedom, led by Dutch anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, from 2010 to 2014. He made headlines and raised eyebrows in the Netherlands this week after announcing his religious conversion in interviews connected to a book he has written titled “Afvallige,” the Dutch word for Apostate.
“With this book, we hope to contribute to getting rid of the many misconceptions about Islam and prevent polarization in our society.” — Mohamed Ben Hammouch, chairman of the book’s publishing house
Wilders was surprised, saying “it’s like a vegetarian going to work in a slaughterhouse.”Van Klaveren could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
His publisher says his conversion came as Van Klaveren, who was brought up as a Protestant, was researching a book that was intended to be critical of Islam.
“With this book, we hope to contribute to getting rid of the many misconceptions about Islam and prevent polarization in our society,” said Mohamed Ben Hammouch, chairman of the book’s publishing house.
News of Van Klaveren’s conversion comes a year after Arthur Wagner, a member of the hard-line Alternative for Germany party, declared he had converted to Islam. Wagner’s party’s official position is that the religion has no place in Germany.
RELATED TOPICS:
Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’
Sports /
13 hours ago
The Many Names of GOP Vice Presidential Nominee JD Vance
Latest /
13 hours ago
Companies Cut Prices to Boost Sales, Consumers Respond
Business /
14 hours ago
Warner Bros. Discovery Sues NBA for Not Accepting Its Matching Offer
Sports /
14 hours ago
Will Bonta Election Lawsuit Reverse the Will of Fresno County Voters?
Politics /
14 hours ago
Latest
Videos
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26170645/Gage-Mason-20-was-sentenced-to-29-years-in-state-prison-for-sexually-assaulting-multiple-children-and-a-dog-and-will-also-be-required-to-register-as-a-sex-offender-1024x538.jpg)
Crime /
12 hours ago
Fresno Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Sexually Assaulting Children and Dog
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26161707/Tommy-Hopfe-with-the-Colorado-Rockies_1280X720-1024x576.jpg)
Sports /
12 hours ago
Bulldogs’ Two-Position Standout Tommy Hopfe Signs With Rockies
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26145457/image-2024-07-26T145350.189-1024x576.jpeg)
Sports /
13 hours ago
Former Bulldog QB Jake Haener: I Have a ‘Rare Form of Skin Cancer’
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/26154603/Republican-vice-presidential-candidate-Sen.-JD-Vance-R-Ohio-speaks-at-a-campaign-rally-July-22-2024-in-Radford-Va.-Vance-introduced-himself-to-the-world-in-2016-when-he-published-his-bestse-1024x538.jpg)
Latest /
13 hours ago