A group of women in Australia has embraced Islam at the Meadow Heights Mosque in Melbourne, moved by ‘the spirit of Gaza residents’ amid recent Israeli attacks.
The touching scenes, captured in a video circulating on social media and partially available on YouTube, showcase the impact of the events in Gaza on individuals halfway across the world.
The Turkish newspaper, Yeni Şafak, has verified the conversions, highlighting that these women were deeply moved by the resilience and faith exhibited by Palestinians in the face of adversity. The group expressed admiration for the steadfastness of the people in Gaza, prompting them to explore and ultimately embrace the Islamic faith.
Jacqueline Retzack, a woman who accepted Islam recently said, “I reverted because of what’s happening in Gaza and I wanted to be closer to Islam and Allah.”
Christine Crnogonac said that the idea of one God in Islam touched her heart and Palestinian struggle inspired her.
“The issues in Palestine… it just makes me cry on a daily basis,” said Christine.
Renowned American blogger, Abby Hafez, also shared her conversion to Islam, citing the determination of the people in Gaza as a pivotal moment in her life. Hafez said that witnessing the resolve of the Palestinians led her to delve into the Quran, ultimately influencing her decision to embrace Islam.
“Muslims in the United States support and pray for Gaza, and God will grant them freedom, hope, and security soon, God willing.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s resumption of military operations against the Gaza Strip on December 1, 2023, has led to a grim toll, with hundreds of casualties and injuries reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7, has inflicted extensive damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties, predominantly among children and women.
Despite the brutality of the conflict and the humanitarian crisis it has triggered, the people of Gaza, including Palestinain fighters, continue to exhibit resilience against all forms of aggression.