One of the Dutch producers behind Fitna, an anti-Islam film that caused worldwide outrage from Muslims, Arnoud Van Doorn, decided to investigate more about Islam when he saw the outrage caused by the 2008 film made by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. “For me, Islam was a violent religion that oppressed women and was no good for society,” Van Doorn said. He began to realize that his views of Islam had been based on negative images in the media.
The Toronto-based Canadian Da’wah Association helped facilitate a visited Saudi Arabia and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah in April 2013. The association's president, Shazaad Mohammed, is an Ambassador for Peace with the Universal Peace Federation and an adviser to many celebrities. Its celebrity relations program is inspired by Prophet Muhammad, who sent out invitations to regional leaders inviting them to visit and learn about Islam.
Van Doorn also met Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Al-Sudais, imam of the Grand Mosque and head of the Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, and was touched by the hospitality he received. A member of the Dutch Parliament and the Hague City Council, he plans to collaborate in producing material that encourages tolerance and peace.
As an Ambassador for Peace working to promote interfaith understanding and respect, Shazaad Mohammed has been instrumental in arranging for trips to Muslim holy sites by other notable people, such as former heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson.