From Critic to Convert: The Joram van Klaveren Story | From Islamophobe to Muslim

Sidi Joram van Klaveren shares his remarkable personal journey as a former far-right Dutch lawmaker who had been fiercely critical of Islam and why he chose to became a Muslim in 2019 while he had been penning a book meant to be anti-Islam.
Joram van Klaveren was a lawmaker in the Party of Freedom, led by Dutch anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders, from 2010 to 2014. During that time, he advocated a burqa ban, a ban on masjid minarets and a ‘de-Islamization‘ of the Netherlands.
In February 2019, he announced his religious conversion to Islam. The Islamophobic polemic he had been penning morphed into a rousing defense of the faith.
Sidi van Klaveren was hosted on his '19 U.S. tour by the Emir-Stein Center, which seeks to promote empathy and understanding through religious and cultural literacy. Learn about their work: www.emir-stein.org
- More highly-viewed recordings on this channel: mcceastbay.org/popular
- More special guests hosted at the MCC: mcceastbay.org/guests
- Recordings of Talks for Converts Playlist: mcceastbay.org/after-shahada
- More MCC interfaith events: mcceastbay.org/interfaith
- MCC's interfaith advocacy efforts: mcceastbay.org/interfaith
- Sign up for periodic community supporter updates: mcceastbay.org/community-suppo...
This talk was delivered at Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on June 18, 2019.
For a summarized version of Sidi Joram's story by the Emir-Stein Center: • Why I Left the Far-Rig...
Sidi Joram's book "Apostate" was published in 2019. Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf wrote the forward. Purchase the book at: www.amazon.com/Apostate-Joram...
From this talk, learn about Anthony Janszoon van Salee, who is considered as the first known Muslim settler in the Americas and also the first inhabitant of Brooklyn in New York: • Anthony Janszoon van S...
About his book:
"APOSTATE From Christianity to Islam in Times of Secularization and Terror"
Joram van Klaveren, also called ‘the crown prince of Wilders’, was a famous critic of Islam. As a former member of the Dutch Parliament and a representative of the Party for Freedom, he submitted numerous bills related to Islam, such as those calling for the closing of mosques, for removing the Quran from parliament and for banning Islam from the Netherlands.
In order to reinforce these thoughts and opinions, he - as a Christian - began to write a book critical of Islam. During the process of writing, however, he found an increasing number of matters that challenged his views of Islam.
In this book, Joram describes his personal and theological journey and the development he has undergone. During this journey, questions arose such as "does God even exist?," "Is the God of the Quran the same as the God of the Bible?," "Does Islam teach people to hate disbelievers and oppress women?"
How did Joram’s negative view of Islam develop? What emotional and social struggles did he have to face? And where has this journey eventually led him?
“To admit that one has been wrong is seldom easy, but to write in careful detail about one’s error, and then to document one’s painful road to truth, reveals considerable strength of character, and restores one’s confidence in human nature and in the prospects for change. " - Professor Abdal Hakim Murad
"Joram’s sincerity enabled him to shift his perspective, to remove the blind spot, to look at something objectively, and to really try and understand it on its own terms. This led to an extraordinary search, the result of which is the book that you are now reading. This book tells the story of an uncommon trajectory, the journey of a man from animosity to charity, from despair to hope, and from belligerence to peace.” - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
About the speaker:
Joram Jaron van Klaveren is a former Dutch politician. As a member of the Party for Freedom he was an MP from 17 June 2010 until 21 March 2014. He subsequently was an independent until his term in office ended on 23 March 2017.
Before he went to parliament he was a City Councilor (March 2006 - July 2009) and worked as a Social Affairs and Education Policy officer.
From 24 March 2011 until 11 June 2014 he also was a member of the States-Provincial of Flevoland. He became well-known for anti-Muslim comments. In October 2018 he converted to Islam halfway through writing an anti-Islam book. After becoming a Muslim, he decided to rededicate his book to his search for religiosity and the subsequent conversion to Islam.
He founded the Anthony Janszoon Association, which tries to restore often incorrect image of Islam in the West.
More MCC East Bay:
Events & Activities: www.mcceastbay.org/calendar
Weekly Updates: www.mcceastbay.org/newsletter
Support MCC: www.mcceastbay.org/sadaqa
Facebook: / mccpleasanton
Instagram: / mcceastbay

[@somethink.g]

This man know Islam more than most born-muslims like us. May Allah grant him heaven.

[@nikmuhammad7362]

The truth...I feel so embarrassing..

[@wearetheearth7566]

Here is a video i made about my journey, why i left Christianity and how i was brought to the truth kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5e9coqjj6uijKs&lc=UgyFJALDsjQdhoFJytB4AaABAg

[@somethink.g]

@@wearetheearth7566 may Allah guide you

[@husnaally7964]

@@nikmuhammad7362 me too

[@riseyourvibration9669]

Jannatul Firdaws

[@halimaissack4719]

Is like how umar( r.a) reverted back to Islam ☪️ when he wanted to cause more damage to the muslims

[@emrekaradag5605]

i think he surely was deep wounded in the heart after reading his story

[@qatlagnigarkhanam4937]

He should choose his Muslim name " Umar Frooq". I will really like it🍂

[@taimoorkhan4519]

Hazrat Omar R a is greatest Ruler of All time ❤️❤️☝️

[@user-dg8fx1hi3m]

Alhamdulilah Bro

[@Muwahid999]

@@taimoorkhan4519 The best kingdom was given to Sulaiman (Solomon) peace be upon him... Don't forget to read his story ..

[@AhmadEdinHodzic]

Joram looks so happy and fulfilled now Mashallah.

[@ashrafalehri8338]

Best example to not judge anybody . No matter who they are , what they are doing , all we can do is make dua and tell them extremely politely. And if telling them makes things worse then it's best to not say anything. May Allah guide us all (Ameen🤲)

[@ashimov1970]

Ameen! 🤲

[@sdefender5614]

Ameen

[@labaikyahussain8429]

👍👍

[@hameedkatoor7469]

@@labaikyahussain8429 Ameen

[@mayamukeita4892]

Yes I agree with that, some family members of mine gets upset when we say Islam is the best way to go!

[@fatimaesack7998]

Alhumdulilah the more Islam is painted with a negative brush - Allah shows us who is in charge ❤

[@cihankocer9463]

GOD HAS BLESSED THIS MAN AND NOW LOOK HOW WE ALL LOVE HIM ❤️ ALLAH IS THE GREATEST

[@labaikyahussain8429]

I wish more people would be like him as he did research being neutral. ❤️❤️ Allah bless him. 👍👍

[@sufiyarahman7037]

I was surprised how a new reverted person explain Islam in a beautiful way 😊

[@turkofalbanianorigine1629]

Better than us muslims 😩

[@atiq572]

JOram; look so happy .👍👌💞 I feel much pleasure to see this man as a muslim. Allah have given him pure confirmation on islam, very very lucky person .. 👍👌💖🇵🇰💞 Love to see you 💞💖

[@falcongulf5470]

Welcome you back to your family of faith brother

[@shahbhalu8465]

Our brother can do a lot for Islam and Muslims and may Allah give the courage, strength and means to do it

[@mohdnazirismail9026]

God bless you Sir.

[@aminaidris3140]

ان الله يهدي من يشاء Allah guides whom He wills, and He knows best those who are guided.

[@sofesweet]

Goosebumps all over hearing you talking! The best spear converted to Islam. Thanks for the great speech and for answering all questions ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@fatimarahman2823]

It’s a beautiful story, makes our belief in Allah’s mercy all the more strong. I can understand your mom and how she reacted and as a son you could make lots of dua for her to find the right path. I hope you have a wonderful life here and in the hereafter. Prayers for you!

[@ahmadsarahang8817]

Welcome to family brother❤🤲🏻🤲🏻

[@sloopycat1954]

This mans got a lot of outstanding qualities I wish I had. It just goes to show there are so many non Muslims that criticise the Quran without even having read it, only if they could be bothered to take the time out to read it instead of taking someone else's word for it.

[@farabifarab3256]

He has a very sweet smile...keep smiling always...

[@amnamn1951]

I admired your honesty thanks brother

[@macramelady]

You are just like Khalid ibn Walid 💫 Allah has chosen you 😇

[@merashona3339]

No Facebook No Twitter No Instagram 2B follower and grow That is prophet Muhammad peace be Upon him ❤❤

[@cinaDAP.zionistASIA]

All other prophets used their 1 dua quota that will be answered by Allah, Muhammad s.a.w saved that 1 dua, for his ummati in mahsyar ❤️

[@hameedkatoor7469]

Dawah is the duty of All Muslims in the world May Allah bless us always Ameen Love from kerala India Pray for me and all

[@TheConservativeHippie]

Joram is right. In Middle Eastern countries, there is so much discrimination among the Arab people. I witnessed Lebanese discriminating against Palestinians and Syrians in Lebanon. Muslims living in the West should be grateful because the Muslims in the Middle East is very class conscious and the pecking order there is quite prevalent. Muslims need to look at themselves in the mirror and become enlightened and inspire others instead of preaching.

[@Theocracy8]

Yes but that's not only applicable to the Middle East but in Asian countries too. Everybody's judged by their clothes and class. That's always been the case. If Arabs would travel to far east Asia they would have hard time too simply because it's not their country and Asians would treat them differently.

[@whowasinparis979]

what is bro on about

[@syedsnake9801]

NOT ALL ARE LIKE THAT

[@TheConservativeHippie]

@@chehrazadeesmey8399 no I saw every other Lebanese with that attitude. I was not there as a tourist. I lived and spent months with all groups: Christians, Sunnis and Shias in the south

[@sevgiesgin9915]

What a great interview maşaAllah I am so proud of brother Joram van Klaveren. God Almighty give him hidayat and did him the truth. Because of his story a lot people hopefully can change their negative thoughts about Islam or Muslims. The most important thing what he said is: There are psycho people everywhere in the world, the bad behaviour of someone you can not related to a religion!

[@omegahaddad833]

Beautifully stated! “ a political system won’t change us”. Grassroots and community brings us together as good humans !

[@mommysnackbar7085]

Sooooo touching can't describe ♥️

[@mk-ultracyberlife574]

I love brother Joram van Klaveren NEDERLAND!!! ❤

[@cano4458]

Jan Janszoon was even born in a city called "Haarlem" in the Netherlands. Learned a lot here. Thanks Joram!

[@safia2230]

Subhan’Allah 😢🤲

[@tamaranank6965]

God bless you more Man 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@wasimgill4101]

You are a true mujahid of islam. ❤️

[@abdiomarmohamed1103]

Beautiful brother! Humble. Peace to all human kind!❤❤🙏🏽🌸

[@robertbrown8407]

Wellcome brother❤️❤️❤️

[@kausamsalam8543]

Purely inspirational! Alhumdullilah ♥️His book is even more inspiring, and May Allah keep blessing his pure heart and family-both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Ameen ♥️💜

[@jihadalayamon5241]

Allah hu Akbar Alhamdulillah mashaa Allah

[@user-ps7ue9ky8h]

beautiful story ❤️

[@786usernames]

MashAllah! Amazing brother amazing storey amazing name for is organisation.

[@mizaravenn814]

Allah bless you brother ❤..you actually is a good people

[@user-po1lm5li2k]

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuh.. Salam santun dari Indonesia baru gabung di channel ini.. 🙏❤🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩

[@bhahlouelu8223]

Super story'tell from this dutch man , my beautiful religion , my wonderful holy book Al Qur'an , o'k terima kasih

[@aminakurtovic6934]

Thank you ❤

[@hasimsahinovic4448]

Ma sha Allah 🇧🇦

[@jemilasuleman2399]

Mashallh Mubarak beautiful story

[@MariamZahid]

Ma sha Allah

[@atif509]

May allah everyone give hiddayat ...ameen .. inshaallah one day

[@cocuk_adam401]

Alhamdulillah

[@leelaafrose8492]

Super curious to know how the name California comes from khalifa. Reference, anyone? Thanks in advance!

[@faka982]

Machallah Alhamdoulilah ALLAHOUKBAR 😍❤️🆗👌😊

[@fardoshnassor7847]

Mashallah Allah

[@heavenlymilano]

G has a glottal sound in Dutch?

[@SamiKhan-qo6ut]

Love you bro

[@mohdsufiyan2466]

MASHAALLAH BRO ALLAH LIKES YOU SO MUCH THAT'S WHY YOU ACCEPTED ISLAM

[@abdullahbutt2863]

Masha Allah

[@arminzhaghi]

Subhanallah

[@jeanettenejadi1777]

🌻

[@riseyourvibration9669]

SUBHANALLAH!!!! Waw!!!

[@daniyalyounis]

The man looked fresh face and feels difference when you look at his face.

[@qanitacika1711]

May Allah helps him to keep istiqamah.. wallahul mustaa'n..

[@ahlehaqatmanhajesalaf5894]

*ma'sha' ALLAH ☝️ name of ALLAH subhana wa'taa'la should be written in capital letters

[@ummrahaf6914]

Waaaaw , mashallah you are a Muslim. Alhamdulilah

[@yamaahmadi6715]

Alhumdlilah

[@elnaraali9944]

Intention is born not in the tongue, but in the heart....You have tried hard enough to hide what has long since penetrated into your heart ... Can ˹the misguided be like˺ those whose hearts Allah has opened to Islam, so they are enlightened by their Lord? (39;22) Greetings from Azerbaijan!

[@XGALRCMT]

❤️

[@dr.mobarakali255]

God bless you and have Mercy on you brother. As you know, all Jews and Christians were ordered to believe in, accept and follow the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad/ Ahmad, SAS, become Muslims and practice Islam as the ONLY correct Religion/ Way of Life, as Divinely Ordained in their own respective scriptures, the Torah and the Gospel. Just what are the Jews and other Christians waiting for if indeed they follow their Holy Books as they claim???

[@SamiKhan-qo6ut]

Allah bless you

[@AbcdEfg-ic2yd]

Allah yehfadak ya ibni amiin

[@baiishelleykaliman743]

Mashaallah

[@travellerbihari7489]

When Allah get Hidayat we know body no.Allah Says All Muslim communities are brotherhood..Allah bless you..Welcome to Islam..

[@sawdaabdi468]

🤲🤲♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@abuumamah6596]

Masha allah

[@samiaraajpoot7157]

MashaALLAH

[@MariaPerez-sb1xp]

35:00

[@muhammadajmalansari3823]

He is the luckiest man masha Allah

[@Zee_news_Events]

mashaAllah

[@prince-nk5xz]

ISLAM WILL WIN WITH YOU OR WITHOUT YOU BUT WITHOUT ISLAM YOU WILL LOSE🥰🥰🥰

[@BY1964france]

ALLAH OU AKBAR MACHA ALLAH Elhamdouli Allah

[@user-mz4fy7ow1r]

I love Joram Men sizni sevaman

[@justme0786]

Mashallah

[@AhmadAhmad-ie6kd]

Mashallah bro ,i will pray to allah for you to win elections to do justic to all people

[@mishkatahmadchowdhury1513]

❤Jorum, Allah Subhanahu Taala has changed your destiny from eternal Hell to eternal Heaven. The Hidaya is only in Allah's Hands.❤ ❤Subhanallah Alhamdulillah La ilaha illallahu Allahu Akbar❤La hawala wa la quwwata illa billah❤Assalatu Assalamu Alaika Ya Rasullullah❤

[@sheikhadnansandal2554]

Mashallaha

[@walikaraltafhussain7790]

When are we born muslims gonna do daawa? Are we gonna just watch videos and become happy? Promise yourselves that you try atleast to understand what's written in our scriptures so that you can answer the truth seekers in a proper and right way. Read quran read quran read quran my brothers.

[@oncigar]

3:186 ۞ لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوٓا۟ أَذًۭى كَثِيرًۭا ۚ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ ٱلْأُمُورِ You will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Scripture before you and ˹from˺ the polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful ˹of Allah˺-surely this is a resolve to aspire to. #َQuran

[@mohammedborat7186]

In geloof moet je u ouders gelukkig maken maar jij binnenkort wakker worden ik dua doen voor jou broer ik ben trots op jou jij nu veel weten over islam jij politiek nu veel verstand van de islam ...jij was aant schrijven jij gewoon denken over geloof jij denken aan mohammed vrede zijn met hem ik nu denken waarom zoveel verkeerde informatie welke imam heeft met jou gepraat hij denk ik niet echt goede imam niet alle imam goede informatie geven...jij zeker naar moskee rotterdam geweest

[@daniyalyounis]

we as Muslims must vote and promote these channels to promote islam rather than we share funny and sexiest joke everyday around.

[@femalemotivational6]

Add me in your community centre..Will help n work for islam

[@robertsahirani3644]

Congratulations ! You were chosen by Allah !

[@mohammedborat7186]

Moskee rotterdam ik soms daar bidden maar ik bidden maar ik kan daar niet praten met die imam die andere gedachten

[@jewaputra5]

Hidayah comes from Allah. That's why even Abu Jahl, who had such a close relationship with the Messenger of Allah, could not accept Islam. Allah reminds, the Messenger's duty is only to convey the message of Islam. The rest rests with Allah The Almighty. ~tmj.mokhtar~

[@lampsaltlight]

A little bit off topic, but… isn’t it funny that Brooklyn was founded by a Dutch Moroccan muslim while it is jokingly called by Ashkenazi Jews “the holy land” because there is a very large percentage of jewish community there 😅. I think it’s ironically funny.

[@onestopacademyenglish]

Amazing, i made a video on how to say Muslim and Islam correctly

[@mohammedborat7186]

Kijk hier veel moslim als u zoon of dochter komt zegt ik ben katholiek als ouders ben je niet blij want alles veranderd ....ik hoop dat de moslims meer moeten denken meer koran lezen en meer naar goede moskee gaan dit is niet goed ...ik blij joram weet nu veel koran is echte heilige boek de heilige bijbel is er ook ik hoop echt dat hij terug christen word ouders weer gelukkig

[@ahmadsarahang8817]

❤️👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🤲🏻🤲🏻🇦🇫

[@femalemotivational6]

Add me in your party sir

[@chickensoup9869]

Read. In the name of your Lord The Creator.

[@mohammedborat7186]

Bij ons ben je welkom in de moskee ...maar blijft christen geloof van je ouders broer beter voor jou mss nu heb je wat geleerd over koran...

[@Abdul-Amburadul]

Welcome to Hotel California😂

[@kalandarmohammad2972]

3. This means that most herbivores or cud-chewing animals like cattle, deer, sheep, goats, and antelope are considered halal to consume. Animals hunted by trained birds and animals are also permitted according to the Quran 5:4. Halal is considered healthier because after slaughter, blood is drained from the animal's arteries, ejecting most toxins because the heart continues to pump for a few seconds after slaughter. In jhatka, not all the blood is drained, leaving the meat tougher and drier.” As per the scince now . And quran says years of ago if you read the quran. All the things are most logic in islam . Without knowing the fact please don't judge any of the regions. Who ever come to right the book of antimuslim til the end they accept Islam after knowing the quran . Ex - Jaram van Klaveren

[@afghanistanarya8147]

Masha Allah subhan Allah welcome to the perfect, peaceful and the truth religion called Islam . Please pray for all our other nun muslim brothers and sisters who are in wrong path because there is no second chance to come back and do what is right. Oh my nun Muslim brothers please just look at the things around you because all these things are singn of the power of the real God. It is Allah who created us and sent us here ;after a short period of time we go back to him. Read all religious books then read the Quran and then go and do as much as research you want on what Quran said about; then if you want to be guided then Ask Allah to help you it is the evil 😈 our biggest enemy who tries to keep us in the wrong path because Allah took it out of Paradise because of me and you then the Evil asked God to give him chance till end of the world and he said I will miss guide all your servants so Allah said will send you and your flowers all together to Hell. Allah help you all my brothers and sisters to be in the right path Insha Allah. Ameen