Muslim Twins Convert to Judaism, Join IDF

May 25, 2016 by admin in JEWS IN THE NEWS

 

  Fatima and Zukra Islambakov are twins born to a Muslim mother nineteen years ago in Uzbekistan.

After several years in a Muslim school and years of considering themselves Muslims, the twins discovered that they had Jewish roots and that their father was Jewish, after Jewish Agency representatives showed up at their home and suggested the twins make aliyah.

The twins abandoned the local tradition and decided to arrive in and move to Israel with their families. However, they were still considered Muslims by Israeli law. Today, however, they serve in the Israeli Defense Forces after converting to Judaism and undergoing a name-change process. One of the twins even took part in one of Operation Protective Edge’s important missions.

  

The twins are no longer called Fatima and Zukra, but instead Yael and Noga. The twins also changed their last name from Islambakov to Steinman. Fatima, or Yael as she is known now, has already completed a military conversion to Judaism course, and her sister Zukra, who is soon to be known as Noga, is expected to complete the conversion process in the next few days.

Over the years, the twins have gotten many comments about both their names and their unique exterior look. There have been men who have decided to end romantic relationships with the girls after finding out their story. However, the twins felt the need to convert and live life as Jewish women. The twins began the process of conversion after receiving encouragement from both their father and their mother.