A Dutch Muslim convert said in the Razavi holy shrine, “Islam is a religion that does not discriminate between the white and the black and all people of any race live together in peace and equality in Islam.”
Koel Dusigenes, a Muslim convert from Netherland, and his wife, Hawaya, a Malaysian woman residing in Netherland, came to pilgrimage of Imam Reza (A.S.) for the first time and this provided an opportunity to talk with them.
Q: Mr. Koel, how did you decide to convert to Islam?
A: My wife was my first encourager to Islam. We were co-workers and her behavior, manners, and religion was always interesting to me; so I decided to search about Islam. The more I found out about Islam, the more I became fond of Islam; my wife helped me a lot and we discussed on Islam for hours. After deep investigations, I concluded that Islam is the most perfect religion that represents humanity.
Q: Is it the first time you are coming to Iran and the holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.)?
A: Before embracing Islam, I once travelled to northern cities and Caspian coasts of Iran but this is the first time I have attended the holy shrine along with my wife.
Q: Ms. Hawaya, how do you feel now that a person has converted to Islam by your help?
A: I am very happy that koel embraced Islam; I only guided him and it was himself who was able to discover the beauties of this religion through his deep investigations and attempts. I congratulate him.
Q: Mr. Koel, didn’t your family oppose your conversion?
A: Netherlands is a country of cultures. It has people with over 80 different religions. So my family didn’t oppose strictly my conversion to Islam.
Q: As Islam is the most prefect realign, did you ever try to invite your family to Islam?
A: I should say that one may not be a Muslim by pressure, threatening, or insistence but I try to show Islam to them through my actions. I hope they convert to Islam one day.
Q: With respect to the fact that this is the first time you attend the holy shrine, how do you feel now?
A: Being in this holy shrine gives one a queer feeling of relaxation and tranquility that cannot be experienced somewhere else.
Q: Which part of the holy shrine impressed you most?
A: Tile work of the courtyards, glasswork of the porticos, and the existence of a museum in such a religious place really impressed me.
Q: What is your idea about the museums you visited?
A: Well, the carpet museum was the most interesting. Iranian art from old times so far and knowing about the details of weaving a carpet was so interesting to me. I should say that the Iranian carpet is well recognized in the world.
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