A viral video shows him saying the Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith), one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
“Professor Henry Larson converted to Islam and was named Abdul Haq. This scientist is the most knowledgeable person on earth in Islam,” one commenter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
According to the website Azon Global, the scientist is known for inventing a stem cell drug that was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The cell is sought to treat hereditary blindness.
The scientist embraced Islam during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam, Ramadan is observed by Muslims around the world by fasting from dawn to sunset for 29 to 30 days.
Klassen's conversion comes just weeks after prominent activist Shaun King also embraced Islam.
King announced his conversion to Islam earlier this month, garnering millions of comments that welcomed the news and applauded his decision.
Many celebrities and famous individuals have converted to Islam in recent years, including former football player Jose Ignacio as well as former NBA icon Stephen Jackson.