FORMER ANTI-ISLAM POLITICIAN OPENS THE WORLD’S FIRST ISLAM EXPERIENCE CENTER IN ROTTERDAM

Sat 17 June 2023:

The Islam Experience Center opened on June 10 in Rotterdam, making it the world’s first, according to the founders.

The aim is to disseminate information about Islam, dispel misconceptions and focus on promoting empathy in the wider society, the statement said.

They also indicate that the message will be accessible, traditional in content but high tech in its presentation. “It is a unique combination for the Netherlands: religious education along the lines of virtual reality, augmented reality and holograms. The IXC is also aimed at anyone who wants to learn more about Islam in a simple way.”

The Islam Experience Center opened on June 10 in Rotterdam, making it the world's first, according to the founders. pic.twitter.com/7V2XnznlLr

— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) June 17, 2023

A spokesperson states: “It is of course intended to be informative, but at the same time we have tried to create a fun experience. Both for young people and for the elderly, for Muslims and non-Muslims, for students and curious individuals, but especially for families. Everyone is welcome.”

Initiative

It is striking that the center does not receive a subsidy, but is financed by donations from the community itself, and that it is an initiative of former MP Joram van Klaveren, among others. The former PVV member who converted to the very same religion while writing an anti-Islam book.

The IXC has been around for 3 years, has an ANBI status and, in addition to this physical location, also has a mobile service that visits schools and provides workshops and guest lectures using virtual reality glasses. From primary schools to universities. So far, this has been done for many tens of thousands of students, the organization emphasizes.

A picture taken on April 4, 2013 at the Dutch parliament in The Hague shows PVV party members Joram van Klaveren (L) and Geert Wilders (R). — AFP

Finally, the IXC explicitly states that it is not affiliated with any specific group or movement: “We are just simple Muslims who try to put into practice the sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). We transcend ethnicity and denominations and work with anyone who wants to help spread our message.

The aim of Islam Experience Center

According to the former MP Joram van Klaveren, “We want to prompts empathy in general, so that people can get along in a batter way. And of course those things are presented here in a very unique way, I think because we did virtual reality, we did augmented reality holograms and 8D sounds. Then on the wall, we have an 8D sound and then you see different places, you see Al Aqsa, you see Istanbul with the Aya Sofya and you see Medina and you hear the Adhan in 8D.

Then there is this Akhlaaq Corner, and what we try to do is, not explaining it in a theoretical way, but we wanted ot show the people what does Islam teach when it comes to morals, so when you put on the VR glasses, you see four situations, where someone is very mistreated in very ugly way.

We have also an example in the VR that you walking thorough a certain neighborhood and all of a sudden this old woman comes and says ‘what are you doing in my neighborhood?’ ‘Why are you looking like that?’ ‘Are you a terrorist?’ ‘Go away, I am calling the Police’ and then you’re looking at your telephone and you see the reflection of yourself and you are girl with a Hijab, So it’s to show people sometimes react very strange to people with a Hijab in a very negative way, but now you experience it yourself.

We asked AI to design a future Islamic city, we did to show people that Islam, again, is not something from the past, It’s also something from the present, and it will be here when we are all dead, there will still be Islam.

A former far-right Dutch politician who became a Muslim launches the “Islam Experience Centre”, which aims to convey the core messages of the religion through cutting-edge technology pic.twitter.com/XhdcpwjNQB

— TRT World (@trtworld) June 16, 2023

The organization thrives on very diverse employees and volunteers. Muslims – both men and women – with Malaysian, Indonesian, Moroccan, Syrian, Turkish, Pakistani, American, native Dutch, Antillean, Surinamese and New Zealand roots make this wonderful project possible. This great diversity of people also beautifully reflects the universal message of Islam.”

Address

The IXC is located at Strevelsweg 700 (4th floor) in Rotterdam. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 10 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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