Tommaso Bortolazzi, an Italian activist and captain of the Maria Cristin vessel in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), converted to Islam after being detained by Israeli forces.
The flotilla — a fleet of 44 small ships carrying hundreds of activists from different countries — set sail from Barcelona on August 30, carrying humanitarian aid and a message of solidarity for the people of Gaza. But their peaceful mission was cut short when Israeli forces intercepted the boats on October 1 in international waters, detaining many of those on board, including Captain Bortolazzi.
During his days in custody, far from the open sea he loved, Bortolazzi found himself surrounded by crewmates who never lost hope. His Turkish companions, even in confinement, continued to pray with calm and courage. Their quiet strength, their words of faith whispered between fear and uncertainty, left a deep impression on him.
When he was finally released and arrived in Istanbul on October 4, Bortolazzi stood before journalists, visibly emotional but peaceful. “In prison,” he said softly, “I saw faith that could not be broken. It gave me strength when I had none.”
Soon after, the Italian captain made a heartfelt decision — he embraced Islam, inspired by the faith and compassion he witnessed behind bars.
What began as a mission of aid to Gaza became, for Tommaso Bortolazzi, a journey of the soul — one that led him from the stormy seas to a new kind of peace within himself.
