World's first Islamic experience center breaks down prejudices in Netherlands
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 26: The ‘Islamic experience center’, which opened in the Netherlands to break down prejudices, is the first of its kind in the world.
The experience center in Rotterdam City provides virtual reality goggles, holograms, and 8D sound technology.
The center was established by the Islamic Experience Center (IXC) Foundation, founded and represented by Joram van Klaveren, a former member of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), who converted to Islam while writing an Islamophobic book.
Klaveren stated that he initially started the application of Islam in schools targeting students after high demand, he decided to establish the Islamic Experience Center at a fixed location.
"Sometimes people in the West have strange ideas about Islam, and with this center, we aim to change that," he added.
The center explores various themes such as "prophets," "miracles," "evidence of Allah," and "Why believing in Allah is more reasonable than not believing?"
He said, “We visit mosques, schools, churches, synagogues, and various institutions whenever they invite us, and we use state-of-the-art technology to present Islam through a free, approximately 45-minute application.”
Klaveren will send an invitation to his former colleague from PVV far-right Geert Wilders on his birthday for the center.
One of the visitors Sumeyra Teber said: "The lighting is very impressive, and the provision of information on Islamic topics is particularly pleasing, especially for those unfamiliar with Islam. By experiencing different activities, you feel like you are exploring the essence of Islam." (Footage by Abdullah Aşıran/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)