Murad Wilfried Hofmann

Murad Wilfried Hofmann rahimahullah (1931-2020) was a prominent German diplomat, author, and Muslim convert. Born a Catholic in Aschaffenburg, Germany, he converted to Islam in 1980 after witnessing the Algerian War of Independence, developing an appreciation for Islamic art, and encountering what he described as contradictions in Paulist Christian doctrine. He studied at Harvard University and served in the German Foreign Service from 1961 to 1994, a career that spanned several continents and senior postings. His conversion attracted public attention given his profile in the German government. Among his published works are Journey to Makkah (ISBN 0-915957-85-X) and Islam: The Alternative (ISBN 0-915957-71-X), both exploring Islam's relationship with Western civilization. He was one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You, the landmark 2007 open letter from Muslim scholars to Christian leaders calling for peace and mutual understanding.