Istanbul : Italian activist Tommaso Bortolazzi, captain of the Maria Cristin vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), embraced Islam while being held by Israeli forces after the flotilla was intercepted in international waters on its way to Gaza .

The flotilla , comprising around 44 vessels and hundreds of activists from different countries, departed from Barcelona on August 30 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the ships on Wednesday night, October 1, detaining several participants, including Bortolazzi, and deported some of them on Saturday, October 4.

After his release, the Italian captain spoke to reporters in Istanbul, recounting how his experience in detention and the faith of his Turkish crewmates inspired him to convert.

Videos of his te

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