American Activist and French Coach Embrace Islam... The Reason is Gaza

Taigy Perry Converts in Istanbul, Citing Gaza

American activist Taigy Perry announced his conversion to Islam, affirming his support for Gaza and demanding a halt to the war there, as shown in a video circulated by social media users.

Perry recited the Shahadah (the two testimonies of faith) in the courtyards of the Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed mosques in Istanbul, during his participation in a protest event rejecting the Israeli war on Gaza.

Gaza's Influence on Conversions

Scenes from Gaza have led many famous personalities and activists, especially in the United States, to embrace Islam, influenced by the steadfastness of the Strip's residents.

In Algeria, French coach Patrice Beaumelle converted to Islam, stating that his decision was also due to being affected by the events in Gaza, as confirmed by the Sheikh who received Beaumelle (46 years old) at the "Janan Al-Mabrouk" mosque.

Hannah Hansen's Conversion and the Hijab

Social media also circulated the story of Hannah Hansen, a five-time German and world kickboxing champion, converting to Islam, though she has not yet worn the hijab despite three years passing since her decision.

In 2019, Hannah was only 39 years old when she received an award in a talent competition, where she performed a DJ show for thousands of people, leading to her religious conversion.

Hansen states, "It was very important for monotheism to be ingrained in my heart from the early years, and for me to have the trust of Allah Almighty, the One God who deserves worship, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the last messenger."

She added, "I love Islam, I love this religion, but I am very far from the hijab; I cannot think about wearing it now." However, when she raised the issue with a Sheikh, he told her, "Hannah, everything in its own time."

Recent Celebrity Conversions in the US

It's worth noting that celebrities have recently converted to Islam, with the plight of Gaza becoming a source of inspiration, while Islam is steadily approaching becoming the second-largest religion in the largest and most powerful Western country: the United States of America.

The famous American rapper and producer, Lil Jon, announced his conversion to Islam in a mosque in California, marking the second instance of a celebrity embracing Islam in the United States during the first week of the past Ramadan; the news made headlines and trended on social media.

Jeffrey Shaun King, who was a pastor for 15 years, also announced his and his wife Rai King's conversion to Islam on the first nights of the past Ramadan. He had nearly 10 million followers on social media before Meta closed his Instagram account due to his pro-Palestine posts and his description of the war on the Gaza Strip as "genocide."

Social Media Influencers and the Quran

A series of social media celebrities converting to Islam began with an American "TikToker" named Megan Rice, who announced it while reciting several Quranic verses in a live broadcast, asserting that the decision came after her admiration for the stability and resilience of Palestinians in confronting the Israeli occupation army.

Rice was previously known for her support of the people of Gaza and frequently praised the strength and resilience of Palestinians, questioning the source of their faith and steadfastness in the face of intense bombing; this sparked her curiosity to read the Quran.

After the war began, many bloggers and activists, especially in the United States, began searching for the fundamental concepts of Islam, specifically the Quran, as it represents something essential for Muslims.

Among them was American blogger Abby Hafez, who said that what happened in Palestine was a turning point for her, as the steadfastness and certainty shown by Palestinians prompted her to delve deep into the religion and study the Holy Quran in hopes of finding answers.

For her part, American girl Madison Reeves announced her conversion to Islam and wore the hijab, accusing American media of misleading and defaming Muslims.

There are many similar cases among non-celebrity Americans, such as the fifty-year-old woman whose videos and comments on the Holy Quran were circulated on social media without her name being known, before she embraced Islam and wore the hijab.