Key Takeaways
- He served as captain of aid flotilla to Gaza
- Tommaso Bortolazzi converted in Israeli prison
- Incident triggered by guards disrupting prayers
Italian activist Tommaso Bortolazzi, captain of the Maria Cristina vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla, converted to Islam while detained in an Israeli prison.
The 42-year-old from Civitella San Paolo confirmed his conversion to Anadolu Agency upon deportation to Istanbul, describing the experience as being “like a new-born.”
Fellow activists revealed Bortolazzi decided to embrace Islam after observing the religious dedication of Muslim detainees.
He noted their consistent prayer routines despite harsh prison conditions, specifically mentioning the “strength of faith, cohesion, and unity” they demonstrated throughout confinement.
The conversion occurred following a confrontation with Israeli prison guards. Bortolazzi stated that guards entered the detention area during dawn prayers and attempted to disrupt the worship session.
He intervened to defend the praying detainees, most of whom were Turkish nationals, leading to direct confrontation with authorities.
“While they were praying, the police of the Israeli occupation force came inside and impeded them,” Bortolazzi told reporters. “I felt the need to oppose this, and after, with my friend, I said the shahadah.”
The shahadah represents the Islamic declaration of faith, formally marking his conversion. The incident occurred during Bortolazzi’s imprisonment following the flotilla’s attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The Global Sumud Flotilla comprised over 40 vessels aiming to break the naval blockade on the Palestinian territory.
Bortolazzi’s hometown of Civitella San Paolo sits between Capena and Fiano Romano in Italy.
His involvement in the aid mission preceded his religious transformation, with the prison experience serving as the immediate catalyst for his conversion.
The activist expressed happiness with his decision, emphasizing the emotional and spiritual impact of the transformation.
His deportation to Turkey followed the prison term, with Turkish authorities receiving him in Istanbul where he gave his first public statements about the experience.
The Global Sumud Flotilla represents the latest international effort to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Previous flotilla missions have resulted in similar detainments and international incidents, though conversions among participants remain uncommon.
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