Dr. Murad Wilfried Hofmann (b. 1931) is a prominent Muslim German diplomat and author. He has authored several books on Islam, including Journey to Makkah (ISBN 091595785X) and Islam: The Alternative (ISBN 091595771X). Many of his books and essays focus on Islam’s place in the West and, after September 11, in particular, in the United States.

Dr. Hofmann was born a Catholic, but converted to Islam in 1980, while serving in the German Foreign Service as a specialist on issues concerning nuclear defense. 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, his fondness for Islamic art, and what he saw as contradictions in Paulist Christian doctrine.

Dr. Hofmann 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.

He currently resides in Turkey.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murad_Hofmann