Hofmann named Islamic personality of the year

Dr. Hofmann is a prominent German diplomat and author of several books
on Islam, including Journey to Makkah and Islam: The Alternative.

Hofmann named Islamic personality of the year

By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
Published: September 02, 2009, 10:57

Dubai: Dr. Murad Wilfried Hofmann was selected the Islamic Personality
of the Year by Dubai International Holy Quran Award (DIHQA), which was
announced on Tuesday during the Quran competition session.

Dubai International Holy Quran Award annually honours an Islamic
figure for their immense contributions to Islam; with this year's 13th
session granted to Dr. Hofmann.

The Quran competition has 85 contestants from different countries
competing for the top 10 placements.

According to Ebrahim Bu Melha, Chairman of the Dubai International
Holy Quran Award, Dr. Hofmann was selected for his numerous
contributions and publications about and for Islam and for his
conversion to Islam.

Dr. Hofmann is a prominent German diplomat and author of several books
on Islam, including Journey to Makkah andIslam: The Alternative.

Many of his books and essays focus on Islam's status in the West and,
after September 11, in particular, in the United States.

He is one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You, an
open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for
peace and understanding.

Dr. Hofmann was born a Catholic, but converted to Islam in 1980. His
conversion was met with some controversy due to his high profile in
the German government.

He converted to Islam as a result of what he witnessed in the Algerian
War of Independence and his fondness for Islamic art.

In his own writings Dr.Hofmann stated of his conversion and time in
Algeria, "I witnessed the patience and resilience of the Algerian
people in the face of extreme suffering, their overwhelming discipline
during Ramadan, their confidence of victory, as well as their humanity
amidst misery."

He felt it was their religion that made them so, and therefore, he
started studying their religious book – the Quran. "I have never
stopped reading it, to this very day," he said.