Western youth's exploration of Islam amidst the Palestinian struggle
Millennials and Gen Z young people say that Palestinian's struggle against ongoing Israeli war inspired them to convert to Islam and share their religious awakening on social media
In the heart of an enduring conflict lies an unexpected phenomenon – a growing curiosity about the Quran among young groups in the West. As Israel's war against Gazan civilians persists, the Palestinians' struggle to survive for their homeland has sparked a wave of interest in Islamic teachings in the West, particularly among the youth.
For decades, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a focal point of global attention, but its human dimension often gets overshadowed. Young individuals in Europe and America are turning towards the Quran as a means to understand and empathize with the plight of Palestinian youth.
The steadfast resolve of Palestinians in resisting Israeli aggression and their unwavering commitment to their land have resonated deeply with many in the West. This resonance has led to an exploration of Islam, the religion that holds significant cultural and historical ties to the region.
In recent times, European youth in particular, have taken to platforms like YouTube and Instagram to share their experiences and journeys into understanding Islam. Videos with titles such as "My 3rd Day with Hijab" and similar content have gained traction, showcasing a personal exploration of Islamic practices and cultural symbols.
Millennials and Gen Z young people say that the Israel-Hamas war inspired them to convert to Islam and share their religious awakening on social media
Recent converts say the conflict, the murder of 13,500 Palestinians including 5,500 children since Oct. 7, became a driving factor for their decision to join the Muslim faith.
Alex, embracing the practice of covering her hair with a hijab in accordance with Islamic principles of modesty, shared that her journey into Islam followed attending pro-Palestine marches after the Oct. 7 attacks and subsequent strikes on Gaza. This propelled her to acquire a copy of the Quran on Oct. 24 and shortly thereafter she embraced the shahada, a declaration of her Muslim faith.
Megan Rice, a recent convert, played a significant role in Alex's decision, as she found inspiration from Rice's TikTok content. Rice's post on Oct. 20 announcing her intention to delve into reading the sacred text for the first time was particularly influential.
"It just seems that Palestinians have this ironclad faith even in the face of losing quite literally everything," Alex told her then 400,000 followers.
Among those attracted to Islam is Madison Reeves, a 24-year-old mother from Tampa, Florida, who became interested in Islam in September after talking to a Muslim girl on a language app.
The outbreak of the Gaza war and the rate of genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinian people strengthened her resolve to convert. She shared a video of her wearing hijab on October 24 and celebrating her new faith.
As the world continues to witness the struggle of Palestinians asserting their right to their ancestral land, the curiosity about the Quran and Islam among the youth in the West stands as a testament to the enduring human quest for compassion, understanding, and solidarity in the face of adversity.
WHAT HAPPENED
Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced that they launched a comprehensive attack against Israel called "Al-Aqsa Flood" on the morning of Oct. 7.
While thousands of rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, armed groups entered the settlements in the region. The Israeli army also launched an attack on the Gaza Strip with dozens of warplanes. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that Israel killed 13,000 people, including 5,000 children, and 3,500 women. It injured at least 32,000 people in its attacks on Gaza.
The administration said the number of missing persons crossed 6,000, with most of them suspected of lying under the rubble of the fallen buildings.
It was reported that 1,400 Israelis, including 324 soldiers, were killed and 5,132 Israelis were wounded in the attacks from Gaza.
The Israeli army hit Damascus and Aleppo airports. As the Middle East is once again turning into a bloodbath, a deadline has been set for nearly 2.5 million Palestinians to leave the blockaded Gaza.
In Israel’s attacks on Gaza, 52 journalists were killed.
In the clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah on the Israel-Lebanon border since Oct. 8, 55 Hezbollah members and 4 civilians, one of whom was a journalist, were killed. Three Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian were killed in the attacks organized by Lebanon.
Most recently, Israel attacked the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza, killing civilians.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he was breaking off all contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because of Israeli attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Source: Guardian & Daily Mail
