Iran trip prompted journalist Lauren Booth to become a Muslim and wear a hijab

Tony Blair's sister-in-law has converted to Islam after having what she describes as a "holy experience" during a visit to Iran.

Journalist and broadcaster Lauren Booth, 43 – Cherie Blair's sister – now wears a hijab whenever she leaves her home, prays five times a day and visits her local mosque whenever she can.

She decided to become a Muslim six weeks ago after visiting the shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh in the city of Qom.

"It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy," she said in an interview today.When she returned to Britain, she decided to convert immediately.

Booth – who works for Press TV, the English-language Iranian news channel – has stopped eating pork and reads the Qur'an every day. She is currently on page 60.

Booth has stopped drinking alcohol and says she has not wanted to drink since converting.

Before her spiritual awakening in Iran, she had been "sympathetic" to Islam and has spent considerable time working in Palestine, she said, adding that she hoped her conversion would help Blair change his presumptions about Islam.

http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/oct/24/lauren-booth-converts-to-islam

Allah is the Greatest.

The Shrine of Fatima the Pure in Qom is indeed exceptional. In terms of Gothic splendor, this architectural masterpiece reminds you of the Sulemaniye Mosque in Istanbul, the Taj Mahal in India, the Himeji Castle in Japan or the Chartres Cathedral in France. Such architectural wonders evoke in some what watching a sunset evokes in others. It is easy to understand how such a sight can produce in someone such intense feelings as can be interpreted as a "holy experience" and lead to a conversion.

One thing, though, she lost me where she talked about Blair's presumptions which crucially need to be changed. I thought it was Blair always shouting himself hoarse that Islam is a "religion of peace"?