Final answer:
The conversion of Mongol leaders in the Il-Khanate to Islam significantly influenced their integration with local Muslim communities, adoption of Islamic culture, and support for the arts and scholarship, fundamentally altering the Mongol identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conversion of Hulegu and other Mongols in the Il-khanate to Islam had transformative effects on their rule and the cultural identity of the Mongol leadership. Initially, the Mongols imposed their culture and practices on their subjects, but the conversion to Islam by Ghazan Khan in 1295 marked the beginning of an integration with Muslim communities. The Il-Khanate rulers adopted Islamic culture, became great supporters of scholarship and the arts, and increased intermarriage with their Muslim subjects, blending the Mongol culture with local cultures. The Il-Khanate saw the promotion of Shia Islam by Ghazan's brother Oljaitu, influencing the religious landscape of today's eastern Iraq and Iran. This change significantly bridged the gap between the Mongol leadership and the predominantly Muslim population.