Neeson mulling conversion to Islam after Turkey trip

ISTANBUL

AP photo

Irish actor Liam Neeson has said he is considering converting to Islam after being moved by the sound of the call to prayer while filming a new film in Istanbul. Britain’s Sun newspaper reported that the call “got into his spirit” during filming for “Taken 2” in Istanbul.

“During first days, the sound of [the call to prayer] drove me crazy. However, later on, I found myself in the sound of [the call],” 59-year-old Neeson said.

‘The call to prayer drives you crazy’

“The call to prayer happens five times a day and for the first week it drives you crazy, and then it just gets into your spirit and it’s the most beautiful, beautiful thing,” he was quoted as saying by The Sun.

“There are 4,000 mosques in the city. Some are just stunning and it really makes me think about becoming a Muslim,” he said.

Neeson was reared a Catholic. “But I think every day we ask ourselves, not consciously, what are we doing on this planet? What’s it all about?” Neeson said. “I’m constantly reading books on God or the absence of God and atheism.”

Liam was criticized in 2010 after claiming Narnia lion Aslan – voiced by him in the movies – is not based on Christ as author C.S. Lewis had claimed but in fact all spiritual leaders, including the Prophet Muhammad. His latest film “The Grey,” about an oil drilling team whose plane crashes in freezing Alaska, will be released in the United Kingdom today.