Son of UK's richest gypsy feared dad’s reaction after converting to Islam thanks to life-changing epiphany
The son of the UK's richest gypsy has said he feared his dad's reaction after he converted to Islam.
Alfie Best Jnr, 25, has a net worth of £10 million, but his dad certainly blows that figure out of the park.
Alfie Best Snr, 53, has a fortune of £740 million, a fleet of extravagant cars, a helicopter and a yacht. Not bad, eh?
But while Alfie Jnr has been mega-rich his entire life, he reportedly felt like something was missing - that was until he found Islam which has given him inner peace.
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He believes he is the first traveller to convert to Islam, which happened following a lunch trip to Cornwall.
Alfie Jnr made the transition in September last year, as one of his mates, who is white and English, had to leave early because his mum was preparing for The Shahada - declaring her faith in one God, Allah - at a mosque in Lewisham, southeast London.
Along with his friend, Alfie Jnr had planned to grab some food after, but he instead of waiting outside he decided to go in which is when he felt his ‘whole body tingle’ and felt something he had never experienced before.
Now Alfie Jnr spends more time at the mosque than the gym and he studies the Quran and says prayers in Arabic five times a day, as well as attending a mosque at least once a week.
He also no longer drinks and is not allowed to promote alcohol or wear gold because it is forbidden by Islam.
In an interview with The Sun, Alfie Jnr said he told his mum, Emily, about converting to Islam first because ‘she’s a lot more understanding than my dad’ and wasn't sure how Alfie Best Snr was going to react.
While his dad was stunned at first, he has since come round to the idea and supported him.
"I thought my dad would look at me like I’d gone doolally. I let time be the judge and later I asked him ‘do you think it has made me a better person Dad?" the young millionaire explained.
"He said, ‘no, because you weren’t a bad person anyway but it has enhanced you as a person’, which I think was a beautiful and brilliant way to explain it."
Alfie Snr added: "I am sure in becoming a Muslim he will face further challenges but due to his background I know he has the strength to deal with the haters.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported Alfie Jnr on his journey and thank you to the few haters who have shown your true thoughts and colours, it’s hard being successful, but also hard being a father, but not hard to love my family who only make me proud."
Topics: UK News
Callum Jones