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"I was confused and told them harshly that I would not believe these concepts because I’m a good Muslim..."
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'Hazarat Essah'
I, John, was born as a Muslim in (country) to a Muslim family in 1972. I grew up in a creed Muslim environment but when I was in 9th class at school I read an advertisement in the newspaper about free Gospel and Bible Correspondence Courses. I filled in the coupon and began to study and within two years I had achieved A grades in all the available courses. During this time, wherever the answer required was ‘Jesus Christ, the Son of God’, I would write ‘Hazarat Essah’ (Jesus Christ, the holy prophet).
The postman who delivered my Bible course mail advised my parents to stop their boy from doing these Christian courses as he believed they’re not good for a Muslim and Islam prohibits the study of other religions. But my mother didn’t pay any attention to him. I also attended public meetings organised by the Bible School but I still hadn’t accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
Then my habits changed, I became very human oriented, sacrificing myself in order to help others. I realised that the way to get to heaven was either through Islam or through Christ but didn’t really understand much more than that.
After passing my graduation in Statistics and Economics in 1991, I received employment as a medical representative in a multinational company. I progressed within the company and in 2001 got the chance to work abroad in a modern Asian country. I lived in hotel accommodation and got to know some neighbors who were very friendly. I quickly realised that they were Christian missionaries as they often spoke about Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. They kindly gave me a book to study, ‘Who is Allah in Islam?’. This book caused me to think again about the right way to get to heaven but I was confused and told them harshly that I would not believe these concepts because I’m a good Muslim.
During that time the tragic World Trade Center disaster occurred in the U.S.A and I felt very bad when the media announced that Muslims were involved. My Christian friends were still keen to have my company and I told them that I had, once again, taken an interest in studying the Bible so that I might understand the reality of life and death. They prayed that I might be able to resolve my confusions and clearly understand for myself. Soon, through their sincere prayers, my heart felt encouraged by the Holy Spirit and I began to ask different questions about Christian doctrines. They were very kind and polite in answering my questions and invited me along to their Church and I have now come to know Jesus Christ as my own Lord and Savior!
Since then I have been keen to learn more and have been studying the reality of sin and the differences between Christianity and Islam. Through the work of the Holy Spirit I now understand the Bible to be the holy word of God and realise that nobody can make changes to His word. I now accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God and not just as a holy prophet as his words in John 14 clearly explain. In March 2002, I was baptised in the same church that attended with my friends. My visa ran out in August of that year but, with the help of my friends and the pastor of the church, I was able to return to my home country.
I now live in fear of being persecuted for my faith because it is against the law in my country to convert to any religion except Islam. When I told my family I had become a Christian they beat me severely and tried to force me to return to Islam. My father has disowned me and called the police, they held me in a cell for three days and I was punched, kicked and beaten. Upon my release I went straight to hospital and spent three weeks there. All my family, friends and neighbors, except my mother, would often spit on me and mug me so eventually I decided to leave home. But still I’m mistreated and have faced visits from different priests, religious men and policemen trying to force me to return to Islam and they burned my Bible and all my Christian literature
I am a wanted man and am due the death penalty under the Islamic blasphemy law but I managed to escape to Ireland with the help of my mother and wife. They are now both in grave danger back home and I’m not able to help them in anyway. But, every time I’ve been challenged my faith in God has been strengthened and I can trust that God is in control of everything. My mother and wife have made huge sacrifices for my sake. God be with them.
A slave of Christ!
John
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Ordinary people in Ireland with Real life Experiences with God
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