A Belgian convert to Islam who performed Haj this year for the first time as a guest of the Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) said that it was the prohibition of alcohol that encouraged him to embrace the Islamic faith.

“When I saw the Holy Kaaba for the first time, it gave me an inexplicable happy feeling. My heart was beating fast, giving me a new spiritual enthusiasm and awakening,” said Mario Cools, who is president of “4 New Muslims,” an organization based in Wommelgem.

Cools said his organization promotes the true message of Islam of peace and tolerance. “If you learn about Islam, it is not about killing and violence. Rather, it is all about caring for and helping people. It is a message of peace,” said Cools.

He said terrorist groups like IS and Al-Qaeda were tarnishing the image of Islam.

“Their criminal activities irritate me,” he said, adding that his organization was producing a film to project the correct picture of Islam to non-Muslims in Belgium.

He said it was his visit to Egypt with his wife, Pascale, that changed his life forever.

“There, we met a Muslim family whose life and behavior impressed us and inspired us to learn more about Islam and Muslims.”

During that visit, his wife Pascale and daughter Veronique embraced Islam.

“It took me some more time to be convinced. I was impressed by Islamic teachings that prohibit Muslims from consuming alcohol and other narcotics. It convinced me that Islam is a true divine religion, as it seeks to protect the minds of people,” he said.

He said that all his family members are now Muslim, including his son, Dennis.

Two months ago, his father-in-law also entered the fold of Islam.

“Our organization, which has 1,300 members, takes care of new Muslims. We operate from my home,” he added.

He thanked Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary-general of the MWL, and Jamal Mumina, director of the MWL office in Brussels, for giving him an opportunity to perform Haj and visit the holy places in the Kingdom.

An estimated 650,000 Muslims live in Belgium, mainly from Morocco and Turkey. The country has a population of about 11 million. There are over 300 mosques and Muslim places of worship in the country.