In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Benevolent

“Is God dead?” This was the question written in large red letters on a black background on the cover of the April 8, 1966 edition of the influential American magazine Time. The question itself referred to German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's famous phrase, formulated in the late 19th century, that "God is dead." Both the philosopher's assertion and the magazine's questioning were favorably received by secularists and atheists, but they deeply disturbed devout theists. In reality, not only is God not dead, but He is alive, loved and worshiped throughout the world by countless believers, whether Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Christian, Jewish or Muslim. Faith, in whatever sacred form, is stronger than it has ever been in human history. Many of us give little thought to our own faith, but in reality, simply making future plans, starting a family, or planting trees are acts of faith and hope. And when the world is at its best, we can supplement this faith and hope with charity and rejoice in this triad of great theological virtues.

Joram van Klaveren, whether he knows it or not, is a virtuous seeker of truth. But a few years ago, he harbored such animosity towards the Islamic religion that he built his entire political career on the fight against its spread in his country, denouncing its dangers as if he were It was a cancer affecting the body of Europe that needed to be rid of. After leaving political life, he devoted himself to writing a book in which he planned to denounce the evils of Islam. Of honest character, he immersed himself in the study of this religion so as to be able to better preach against it. But it didn't happen. Men make plans, but, as the Quran says, God is the Best Planner.

We are all equipped with physical blinders that obscure specific areas in our field of vision. But we are also equipped with intellectual blinders which we tend to neglect and which very often prevent us from grasping things which are nevertheless obvious. Joram's sincerity allowed him to modify his perspective, to remove his blinders, to consider the elements objectively and to seek to understand them according to their own criteria. This quality allowed him to carry out extraordinary research, the fruit of which is the work you are currently reading. This book tells the story of an unusual trajectory, the journey of a man who moved from animosity to charity, from despair to hope, from belligerence to peace.