About The Book

A lengthy process, rich in remarkable and thought-provoking events, including compelling encounters with Islamic philosophy, led the author to embrace Islam. His experiences since that time - such as his pilgrimages to Makkah - further deepened his understanding of, and identification with, this "fastest growing religion in Europe."

This "Diary" is, however, much more than a recorded soliloquy. It is a lively introduction to Islam as such - developed in the spiritual confrontation of a Muslim intellectual of European background with the ideology and value system of post-industrial western society.

About The Author

Murad Wilfried Hofmann (born in 1931 in Aschaffenburg, Germany) is a prominent German diplomat and author. He has authored several books on Islam, including Journey to Makkah (ISBN 0-915957-85-X) and Islam: The Alternative (ISBN 0-915957-71-X). Many of his books and essays focus on Islam's place in the West and, after 11 September, 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.

Hofmann was born a Catholic, but converted to Islam in 1980. He studied at Harvard University. His conversion was met with some controversy due to his high profile in the German government.^r He converted to Islam as a result of what he witnessed in the Algerian War of Independence, his fondness for Islamic art, and what he saw as contradictions in Paulist Christian doctrine.

Hofmann served in the German Foreign Service from 1961 to 1994. He first served in Algeria as a specialist on issues concerning nuclear defense. He went on to serve as Director of Information for NATO at Brussels from 1983 to 1987, Ambassador to Algeria from 1987 to 1990, and Ambassador to Morocco from 1990 to 1994.

Hofmann was an honorary member and advisor to the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.