A Catholic Father from the USA Impressed by Rumi, Became a Muslim and Settled in Konya

Prof. Dr. Craig Victor Fenter, a catholic father from the USA, was impressed by Rumi and his doctrines; became a Muslim and changed his name as "İsmail".

Fenter was born in North Carolina, in the USA, in 1955 and he grew up in Los Angeles. As his family wished him to go catholic school, he went there and became a catholic father.

After 10 years on duty, he completed his academic education and became a professor and gave lessons on religion. Fenter was impressed by Rumi and his doctrines; became a Muslim and changed his name as "İsmail".

In order to be close to Rumi, he decided to settle in Konya and he stated that "I knew that Konya was the place where I want to be as it is the city of Rumi. I visited Konya every year. To learn about Rumi, Konya was the place where I have to come. It is different to be here and follow Rumi’s track than living in the USA. One night a young dervish asked me about my family and I told him that my parents are dead. He looked at me and said we are your family. This was the most important thing that a person has told me ever. So, I continue visiting Konya and at the end I settled in Konya".