Watan-Inspired by the situation in Gaza and the ongoing Israeli aggression against its people, American activist and author Sean King, and his wife, embraced Islam on the first day of Ramadan.
King, a 44-year-old American writer and activist, is known for being a prominent voice supporting the Palestinian cause on social media. Wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, he addressed the audience, attributing his decision to embrace Islam on the first day of Ramadan to the “six months of suffering, pain, and shock that we witnessed in Gaza.”
Support for Palestine
According to the Turkish news site “trtworld,” King has been outspoken in his support for Palestine against the Israeli war on besieged Gaza, resulting in the death of at least 31,112 people, mostly children and women, and the injury of 72,760 so far.
Bearing Witness
On Monday, King and his wife publicly embraced Islam in a video that circulated online. The conversion and acceptance of Islam were guided by King’s friend of over 10 years, American Islamic scholar Omar Suleiman.
Wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh, the 44-year-old addressed the audience, connecting his decision with his wife to the “six months of suffering, pain, and shock that we witnessed in Gaza.”
In a video message, King said, “My wife and I just came home after the evening prayer at our mosque in the Dallas area of Texas, where we both recited the Shahada together and embraced Islam to start the month of Ramadan. It was a beautiful, powerful day, meaningful for us, and we will never forget it.”
He added, “I will pray for you, and I ask you to continue praying for us. We will begin fasting this morning with over a billion Muslims around the world,” referring to the start of the first day of Ramadan.
King stated, “I was deeply moved by seeing people in the most dangerous place on this planet still able to look at the rubble and remnants of their homes, and they still see meaning and purpose in life.”
Gaza has opened the hearts of millions around the world to Islam
King said, “Their faith and dedication to Islam not only opened my heart but also opened the hearts of millions of people around the world.”
Since October 7th, King regularly posted on social media, highlighting the destruction in Gaza and calling for an end to Israeli attacks.
In response to his online support for Palestine, King mentioned that Instagram banned his account with over six million followers in December.
King and his wife currently reside in New York with their five children, two of whom are adopted.