(By Bint Issa) I remember the first time I heard my friend tell me that “He died for you, and He loves you.” It was in the 1990s. I was the child of immigrants, a senior at a large suburban high school, sitting across the table from a blond, blue-eyed American boy I had met in class. Mark was a devout Christian who often traveled with his family to other countries doing ministry.
Mark knew I was from the Middle East; he also knew I was raised in the Wahhabi sect of Islam, one of the most unforgiving and draconian sects. He always spoke about his faith every chance he could.
The passion and pure bliss I felt from Mark, while talking about Jesus, was an unfamiliar feeling for me. Every time Mark told me about his Lord, I could not help but think about Mohammad and the religion he founded after hearing voices in his head, roaming in the Saudi desert.
I had been only nine years old, in Kuwait, when my Islamic studies teacher began reciting scriptures to us from the Quran, encouraging my class to “fight those who do not believe in Allah.” She assured this group of terrified children that “the closest way to paradise is by killing a non-Muslim for the sake of Allah.”
Logo of the Muslim Brotherhood, committed to Islamic global conquest
I remember being very confused by her teachings. Why would Allah want me to kill for him? And if that is the case, then should I kill my best friend Silvia, who was an Armenian Christian attending the same school? I didn’t want to kill my friend, I loved Silvia.
Tears fell down my face. I was so angry, disappointed, and appalled by the god I was told we must all worship. I knew right then something was deeply wrong with Islam. This was not a god I wanted to worship.
So listening to Mark talk about Jesus, years later and half a world away, sparked my interest. I wanted to learn more about his God whom he loved so deeply and served faithfully. After high school, I spent most of my early twenties attending different churches throughout our metro area.
I would hungrily talk to churchgoers about the Lord, but I am not going to lie: it was the most uncomfortable feeling I have ever experienced. In a very twisted way, I felt my growing interest in Christianity was a betrayal of Islam and my family.
It took me few years to overcome the shame, guilt, and fear Islam had instilled in me. I kept my eyes on who Jesus was and searchingly compared him to Mohammad. I would think about how Jesus died for me, versus Mohammad who commanded me to kill for his pleasure.
** About Jesus who loved and protected children, versus Mohammad who married and slept with one when she was only six years old.
** About Jesus who taught mankind to love our enemies, versus Mohammad who commanded his followers to behead them.
** About Jesus who taught humility, forgiveness and love, versus Mohammad who commanded us to fight, steal, enslave, and betray others.
On a Sunday in 1999, I was attending church and I realized the time had come. That day I gave myself completely to the Lord. I traded a hateful and vengeful god who had tortured my soul for years, for a loving and a merciful God who died on the cross to save me. And it has forever changed my life.
Since then I have made it my mission to speak out against Mohammad and his false religion that cancerously infects millions throughout the world, with growing danger to human freedom everywhere. I want people to know there is a better way: Jesus Christ, the truth that makes free.
Bint Issa, a pen name, is a naturalized American citizen who consults nationally in the field of homeland security. To contact, write to andrewsjk@aol.com with that name in the subject line.