{"id":9049,"date":"2024-08-21T17:50:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T17:50:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/learn\/from-islam-to-the-catholic-church-one-turkish-woman-shares-her-story-of-faith\/"},"modified":"2024-08-21T17:50:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T17:50:58","slug":"from-islam-to-the-catholic-church-one-turkish-woman-shares-her-story-of-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/from-islam-to-the-catholic-church-one-turkish-woman-shares-her-story-of-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"Van de islam naar de katholieke kerk: een Turkse vrouw deelt haar geloofsverhaal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"cppw-protected cppw-protected--overlay\"><div class=\"cppw-excerpt cppw-excerpt--overlay\"><p>[ad_1] Belk\u00c4\u00b1z, 61, was born into a Muslim family in Turkey. After reading books on materialist philosophy in her youth, she became an atheist at 15 but eventually became a Christian and then a Catholic. \/ Credit: Nathalie Ritzmann ACI MENA, Aug 21, 2024 \/ 06:00 am (CNA). Born 61 years ago into a Muslim family in Turkey, Belk\u00c4\u00b1z was the first daughter after two sons. As a child, she went to the mosque and read the Koran in Arabic\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\t\t<div class=\"cppw-paywall paywp-paywall\" data-required-level=\"25\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"cppw-lock-mark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<h2>Continue reading with a subscription<\/h2>\n\t\t\t<p>Get unlimited access to all our premium content and exclusive features.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cppw-paywall__actions\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cppw-button\" href=\"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/become-a-member\/\">Subscribe Now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cppw-login-link\" href=\"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/login\/\">Already a subscriber? Sign in<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"cppw-paywall__microcopy\">Enjoy unlimited access, cancel anytime.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] Belk\u00c4\u00b1z, 61, was born into a Muslim family in Turkey. After reading books on materialist philosophy in her youth, she became an atheist at 15 but eventually became a Christian and then a Catholic. \/ Credit: Nathalie Ritzmann ACI MENA, Aug 21, 2024 \/ 06:00 am (CNA). Born 61 years ago into a Muslim family in Turkey, Belk\u00c4\u00b1z was the first daughter after two sons. As a child, she went to the mosque and read the Koran in Arabic\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9050,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[100],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-9049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christian-news"],"mb":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":70414,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/how-the-man-who-became-pope-john-xxiii-helped-shape-vatican-turkey-relations\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":0},"title":"How the man who became Pope John XXIII helped shape Vatican-Turkey relations","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"december 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Statue of St. John XXIII in the courtyard of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Istanbul. \/ Credit: Souhail Lawand\/ACI MENA ACI MENA, Nov 26, 2025 \/ 07:00 am (CNA). Pope Leo XIV\u2019s journey to Turkey and Lebanon carries significant historical and diplomatic symbolism. His decision to make the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atat\u00fcrk his first stop immediately recalls the legacy of his predecessor, St. John XXIII, who became a cultural and spiritual bridge between East and West, very much like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"How the man who became Pope John XXIII helped shape Vatican-Turkey relations","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/How-the-man-who-became-Pope-John-XXIII-helped-shape-Vatican-Turkey-relations.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/How-the-man-who-became-Pope-John-XXIII-helped-shape-Vatican-Turkey-relations.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/How-the-man-who-became-Pope-John-XXIII-helped-shape-Vatican-Turkey-relations.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":67792,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/syrian-bishop-kidnapped-by-isis-in-2015-explains-challenges-facing-the-church-in-his-country\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":1},"title":"Syrian bishop kidnapped by ISIS in 2015 explains challenges facing the Church in his country","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"november 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The archbishop of Homs for the Syriac Catholics, Jacques Mourad, speaks with ACI MENA, CNA\u2019s Arabic-language news partner, about the challenges to the Church in Syria. \/ Credit: ACI MENA ACI MENA, Oct 29, 2025 \/ 08:00 am (CNA). The archbishop of Homs for the Syriac Catholics, Jacques Mourad, said Islamic-Christian dialogue in Syria is facing a challenge arising from the official stance of Muslim sheikhs, who refuse to open the door to meeting and dialogue with other communities.The sheikhs\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Syrian bishop kidnapped by ISIS in 2015 explains challenges facing the Church in his country","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Syrian-bishop-kidnapped-by-ISIS-in-2015-explains-challenges-facing-the-Church-in-his-country.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Syrian-bishop-kidnapped-by-ISIS-in-2015-explains-challenges-facing-the-Church-in-his-country.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Syrian-bishop-kidnapped-by-ISIS-in-2015-explains-challenges-facing-the-Church-in-his-country.webp?fit=670%2C447&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8101,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/maronite-church-in-lebanon-celebrates-beatification-of-17th-century-scholar-and-patriarch\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":2},"title":"Maronite Church in Lebanon celebrates beatification of 17th-century scholar and patriarch","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"augustus 6, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"[ad_1] An estimated 7,000 people gathered to celebrate the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy on Aug. 2, 2024, in Bkerk\u00c3\u00a9, Lebanon. \/ Credit: Marwan Semaan\/ACI MENA ACI MENA, Aug 5, 2024 \/ 14:28 pm (CNA). In a ceremony that blended centuries-old tradition with new hope, the Maronite Catholic Church celebrated the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy on Friday, Aug. 2, in Bkerk\u00c3\u00a9, Lebanon.&nbsp;An estimated 7,000 people gathered at an outdoor venue to mark the significant step toward sainthood for a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722959905_hall1444.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722959905_hall1444.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722959905_hall1444.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722959905_hall1444.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1722959905_hall1444.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53858,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/churches-in-syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":3},"title":"Churches in Syria resume liturgies amid heightened security and unease","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"juli 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The faithful take part in the Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of the Olive Church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. \/ Credit: Mohammad Al-Rifai\/ACI MENA ACI MENA, Jun 30, 2025 \/ 14:56 pm (CNA). A week after the deadly attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, the churches there have not shut their doors. Divine Liturgies were celebrated on Sunday, June 30 \u2014 albeit with significantly lower attendance due to a prevailing atmosphere of fear and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Churches in Syria resume liturgies amid heightened security and unease","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Churches-in-Syria-resume-liturgies-amid-heightened-security-and-unease.webp?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52737,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/cardinal-pizzaballa-in-the-holy-land-the-church-must-be-a-point-of-connection-for-everyone\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":4},"title":"Cardinal Pizzaballa in the Holy Land: \u2018The Church must be a point of connection for everyone\u2019","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"juli 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, in an interview with ACI MENA, CNA\u2019s Arabic-language news partner, emphasized that the Catholic Church in the Holy Land must remain \u201copen\u201d: \u201cThe Church must remain open and accessible to all. This is absolutely essential. Everyone must be able to reach us, we must be a point of connection for everyone.\u201d \/ Credit: Cristian Gennari\/OESSH (Anba Agency) ACI MENA, Jun 24, 2025 \/ 14:17 pm (CNA). Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Cardinal Pizzaballa in the Holy Land: \u2018The Church must be a point of connection for everyone\u2019","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cardinal-Pizzaballa-in-the-Holy-Land-%E2%80%98The-Church-must-be-a-point-of-connection-for-everyone.webp?fit=800%2C489&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cardinal-Pizzaballa-in-the-Holy-Land-%E2%80%98The-Church-must-be-a-point-of-connection-for-everyone.webp?fit=800%2C489&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cardinal-Pizzaballa-in-the-Holy-Land-%E2%80%98The-Church-must-be-a-point-of-connection-for-everyone.webp?fit=800%2C489&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Cardinal-Pizzaballa-in-the-Holy-Land-%E2%80%98The-Church-must-be-a-point-of-connection-for-everyone.webp?fit=800%2C489&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":21121,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/the-assyrian-catholic-bond-a-model-of-unity-despite-differences\/","url_meta":{"origin":9049,"position":5},"title":"The Assyrian-Catholic bond: a model of unity despite differences","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"november 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"[ad_1] Pope Francis welcomes Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Awa III to the Vatican on Nov. 9, 2024. \/ Credit: Vatican Media ACI MENA, Nov 24, 2024 \/ 08:00 am (CNA). Following the second meeting between Pope Francis and Mar Awa III, ACI Mena, CNA\u2019s Arabic-language news partner, conducted an exclusive interview with the catholicos-patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East to discuss the significance of Pope Francis\u2019 decision to include St. Isaac of Nineveh\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christian News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1732503555_copy-of-whatsapp-image-2024-11-21-at-13.08.54-23a5c521.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1732503555_copy-of-whatsapp-image-2024-11-21-at-13.08.54-23a5c521.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1732503555_copy-of-whatsapp-image-2024-11-21-at-13.08.54-23a5c521.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1732503555_copy-of-whatsapp-image-2024-11-21-at-13.08.54-23a5c521.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1732503555_copy-of-whatsapp-image-2024-11-21-at-13.08.54-23a5c521.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/1724262659_belkiz1.jpeg?fit=1600%2C900&ssl=1","mfb_acf":[],"mfb_rest_fields":["title","jetpack_publicize_connections","jetpack-related-posts","jetpack_sharing_enabled","jetpack_featured_media_url"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9049"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9049\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9049"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=9049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}