Inspired by the unwavering faith of Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict, young women in America are increasingly turning to Islam.
What is Generation Z?
Generation Z, or “Gen Z,” encompasses individuals born between 1997 and 2012. This generation, following the Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha, has grown up in the age of the internet and digital technology.
Islam in America After October 7th
A growing number of Millennial and Gen Z women in America are embracing Islam, citing the profound impact of reading the Quran and witnessing the steadfast faith of Palestinians during the Gaza war.
This recent surge in conversions began after the events of October 7th and the subsequent Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip, a conflict that has tragically resulted in the deaths of over fifty thousand Palestinians to date.
One such individual is Madison Reeves, a 24-year-old mother from Tampa, Florida. Her interest in Islam was sparked in September after a conversation with a Muslim woman in a language exchange program. The onset of the Gaza war and the distressing atrocities committed against its people solidified her resolve to become Muslim. On October 24th, she shared a video of herself wearing a hijab, announcing her conversion to Islam.
Madison is not alone. In October, Megan Rice, an American TikTok influencer, chose Islam after reading the Quran. Her journey began with the creation of a global religious book club focused on studying the Quran.
Rice, who is also a social activist, was inspired to embrace Islam by the resilience of the people of Gaza in the face of Israeli aggression. This American TikToker, with over half a million followers, declared her Shahada (declaration of faith) during a live broadcast on her TikTok page, expressing that she feels more secure wearing the hijab.
The Role of Palestinian Resilience in the Growing Interest in Islam
Since the beginning of the Gaza war, Megan has gained recognition in the Arab world for her advocacy for the Palestinian people. She has lauded the people of Gaza, who are facing genocide, and has been deeply moved by their reasons for resisting Israeli attacks. Regarding her choice of Islam, she stated, “I made a video expressing my admiration for the faith of the Palestinian people, and people commented, ‘Well, their girls are Muslim, and their religion is Islam. Have you read the Quran? You definitely should read the Quran.'”
An Increase in Conversions to Islam
Another recent convert is Alex, an influencer who describes herself as a “leftist, queer gremlin.” She recently acquired a copy of the Quran and has begun wearing a hijab.
In one of her videos, Alex responded to those who believe her changes are temporary and that she will eventually revert to a Western lifestyle, saying, “What part of the Western lifestyle do you think I’m going to go back to? Oh, unbridled capitalism? All the colonialism? Because I hate both of those things.” Experts believe that for many, this choice represents a “rebellion against the West.”
Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, told the Free Press, “Rebellion is part of youth.”
He elaborated, “At this moment, what could be more rebellious, anti-capitalist, and anti-Western than choosing Islam?”