Over 30 Australian women have embraced Islam after being inspired by the courage of Muslims in Gaza, where Israel conducted air strikes in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas. The event took place at the ICMG Meadow Heights Mosque in Melbourne, as reported by a foreign news agency.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the death of more than 23,000 Palestinians, with a significant number being children, and over 50,000 people have been injured, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Turkish media shared a video on Instagram featuring women in abayas reciting the Kalma-i-Shahadat, indicating their conversion to Islam. The impact of the Gaza conflict on individual beliefs and cultural dynamics is evident, with 30 people in Melbourne converting to Islam in the past month alone.
Jacqueline Retzack, one of the converts, mentioned, “I converted because of what’s happening in Gaza, and I wanted to be closer to Islam and Gaza.” Another convert, Christine Crnogonac, expressed her deep connection to the concept of one God in Islam, saying, “The idea of Islam and having just one God really resonated with me. It touched my heart.”
The ongoing war in Palestine has left a profound impact on these individuals, with Crnogonac stating, “The issues in Palestine, it just makes me cry on a daily basis. I didn’t know what else to say.”
In a similar vein, American activist Megan Rice converted to Islam in November, inspired by the steadfastness of the people in Gaza, according to media reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Asserts To Retake Gaza-Egypt Border, Intensifying Conflict With Hamas
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to regain control of the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt, expanding Israel’s efforts to counter Hamas in a conflict projected to endure for several months.
Netanyahu stated, “The war is at its peak,” referring to the fighting since Oct 7, when Hamas and its allies infiltrated Israel, resulting in casualties and hostage situations.
