‘Ruh Al-Ruh’: How a Palestinian Grandfather’s Words Led an American Man to Islam

IQNA – An American man says he embraced Islam after witnessing the faith of a Palestinian grandfather as he held his granddaughter, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza.

The late Palestinian Khaled Al-Nabhan, known for his heartfelt phrase “Ruh Al-Ruh” (soul of the soul) while addressing his granddaughter, likely never imagined that his words would resonate with people thousands of miles away, let alone change someone’s life. Yet, they did—and one of those lives was that of Christopher Meeks, an American from California. 

In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher, released on Tuesday, Meeks recounted how Al-Nabhan's words and the unfolding events in Gaza profoundly impacted him and ultimately led him to embrace Islam after what he described as a deeply spiritual experience. 

“In October 2023, I became aware of the daily suffering of the Palestinian people. Since then, my heart has been broken repeatedly. I’ve never felt such deep sorrow, and I’ve never shed so many tears,” Meeks said. 

He expressed feelings of guilt upon realizing his country's role in supplying weapons used in the bombardment of Gaza. “I saw the bombs we send tearing apart innocent people in Gaza. I felt overwhelming guilt and shame, and a profound sense of helplessness. I tried to numb these indescribable emotions, but it only made things worse.”

The turning point for Meeks came about two months into the war, in December 2023.

Recalling a moment that deeply affected him, he said, “I saw an elderly man with a white beard holding the body of a little girl. He gently brushed her face with his beard one last time before placing her down, all while praising God. I don’t think I’ve ever cried the way I cried then.”

Seeking peace, Meeks took advice from someone online who suggested visiting a mosque to pray for Gaza. “Someone online suggested I go to a mosque and pray. I had stopped identifying as a Christian years ago, but I still believed in a Creator. So, I thought, why not try?”

Meeks recalled feeling a deep sense of nervousness when he first entered the mosque, but the weight of his emotions at the time left him with little to fear. With nothing to lose, he followed the others in prayer, bowing his head to the ground in prostration.

Reflecting on that moment, he described how his first prayer brought an overwhelming surge of emotion. As he prayed for those he had seen suffer, tears streamed down his face.

In that vulnerable moment, he felt a profound sense of peace and comfort wash over him—something he realized he had been searching for across many places of worship and through different spiritual paths throughout his life.

After weeks of visiting the mosque regularly, Meeks officially embraced Islam on January 12, 2024. “After a few weeks of attending the mosque daily, I recited the Shahada (declaration of faith). The brothers here welcomed me warmly. I truly feel like I belong. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been guided to Islam.”

Meeks expressed gratitude to Khaled Al-Nabhan, saying, “It all began with Uncle Khaled. He is truly the ‘Soul of the Soul’ to me. I ask God to grant him the highest ranks in Paradise.” 

Khaled Al-Nabhan was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on December 16, 2023.

He became widely known for his poignant words, “Ruh Al-Ruh,” spoken to his granddaughter Reem as he bid her farewell after she was killed by Israeli forces in November 2023.

The Israeli regime’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 45,541 Palestinians and wounded 108,338 since October 7, 2023.

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