Top Hamas leader's son converts to Christianity
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 9:22 (BST)
The son of a top Hamas leader has converted to Christianity and prays some day his family will also accept Jesus Christ as their saviour, according to an Israeli newspaper.
Masab Yousef, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, revealed for the first time in an exclusive interview with Haaretz newspaper that he has left Islam and is now a Christian. Prior to the interview's publication last Thursday, Yousef's family did not know of his faith conversion even though he is in regular contact with them.
"[T]his interview will open many people's eyes, it will shake Islam from the roots, and I'm not exaggerating," said Yousef, who now resides in the United States. "What other case do you know where a son of a Hamas leader, who was raised on the tenets of extremist Islam, comes out against it?"
Yousef, who is now 30-years-old, was first exposed to Christianity eight years ago while in Jerusalem, where out of curiosity he accepted an invitation to hear about Christianity. Afterwards, he became "enthusiastic" about what he heard and would secretly read the Bible every day.
"A verse like 'Love thine enemy' had a great influence on me," Yousef recalled. "At this stage I was still a Muslim and I thought that I would remain one. But every day I saw the terrible things done in the name of religion by those who considered themselves 'great believers'.
"I studied Islam more thoroughly and found no answers there. I re-examined the Koran and the principals of the faith and found how it is mistaken and misleading."
But with Christianity, Yousef said he could understand God as revealed through Jesus Christ. He said he could talk about God and Jesus for days, but Muslims are not able to say anything about God.
"I consider Islam a big lie," said Yousef. "The people who supposedly represent the religion admired Mohammed more than God, killed innocent people in the name of Islam, beat their wives and don't have any idea what God is.
"I have no doubt that they'll go to hell. I have a message for them: There is only one way to paradise - the way of Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross for all of us."
Four years ago, Yousef decided to convert to Christianity but did not let his family know. He still helped his father with his political activities, and his father only knew his son had Christian friends.
"I felt responsible. It was better for me to be there rather than a gang of fools who would poison his mind," Yousef explained. "I tried to understand those people, their thoughts, in order to change them from inside by means of a strong person like my father, who admitted to me in the past that he does not support suicide attacks."
Yousef described his father as a moderate Hamas leader.
But even before his encounter with Christianity, Yousef had already become disenchanted with Hamas and Islam after being imprisoned at the age of 18 years old for heading a youth Islamic movement at his high school.
He described the Hamas leaders he met in prison as people with "no morals" and "no integrity", although they hide their corruption better than Fatah party members.
"Nobody knows them and how they operate as well as I do," Yousef said, recalling how the family of Hamas members killed by Israel were forced to beg for financial assistance while the leadership "abandoned" them and "wasted" tens of thousands of dollars a month only on security for themselves.
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Added: Sunday, January 4, 2009, 1:09 (GMT)
I am excited! we will see more of these type of stories worldwide, even dominant figures will come to the salvation of Christ. It is an exciting time for every believer on earth- as there will be a "great gathering of souls". There will be much of this to come. People can dispute how authentic his Muslim roots were, it does not matter- he is the son of a Hamas leader, he indeed was entrenched in the Islamic doctrine and he is now set free.
Sj, tacoma,usa
Added: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 1:18 (BST)
The majority of Muslims who convert to Christianity:
1. Have a very poor knowledge of the Qu'ran and the tenets of Islam to start with, so are easily duped by the Bible (which every Muslim knows is unauthentic) and Christian missionaries peddling glitzy propaganda.
2. Convert for cultural and political reasons rather than spiritual reasons.
This article is packed full with the politics of Hamas and says surprisingly little about the spiritual issues between Islam and Christianity as the driving force behind the conversion.
Riaz, England
Added: Friday, August 22, 2008, 13:54 (BST)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12......
Sa rang K, Seoul, Korea
Added: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 14:12 (BST)
Keep posting propoganda stories, even if this so called son of hamas leader is true it wont affect the islamic ummah, there more christian converting to Islam then vise versa.
nassir, london
Added: Sunday, August 17, 2008, 1:07 (BST)
The power of God's word can not be refuted. The American church and political leaders must see that Islam is not a peaceful religion. We will pray for Masab's safety and boldness as he share saving Gospel of Jesus to others. Praise The LORD.
Gerry Johnson, Temple Hills, USA
Added: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 20:03 (BST)
"The pure in heart will see God." No matter how one is raised, eternity is in
every man's heart, a hunger to know God and His Truth. I was raised in a
wonderful, loving, Muslim home. I found it interesting that many people's beliefs were based on their Nationality, upbringing, or something taught.
I asked God to show me the truth, and I knew absolute truth would be available to all. God supernaturally opened my eyes and revealed to me that Jesus is the truth. I am not here to debate with anyone that Jesus is Lord, but I do know if anyone wants to know the truth, God will show them.
God created you for a love relationship with Him(Father/Child), and our sin
severed that relationship for now and eternity. However, God the Father loves you and me so much, He allowed the sacrifice of His perfect lamb to
pay for our sin and heal our relationship with Himself. Jesus willingly took our sin and died for us. Jesus rose from the dead and now offers us a gift,
that gift is eternal life(a relationship with God the Father now and forever).
Even if you do not yet believe this, ask God to give you a heart, a pure heart to see God and His truth. God is faithful, after praying for my family for over 22 years, all of my family received the gift of life in Jesus Christ, and my mom and dad were 70 years of age...Glory to god!
saleim, Houston, USA
Added: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 7:54 (BST)
Mr Masab Yousef , converted christianity , he was Born in to a Muslim Family , so he was a Muslim before , now he be come a Mushrik [nonbelivers]
What does he know about Islam and its teaching ? how can he say that all muslim will go to Hell Fire , does he know what his fate will be in the next world ?
Islam is not Misleading any one , it is the guidance for whole of men kind , i think and belive that yousef was not a true Muslim and a Beliver he has not knowledge
to understand Islam and its teaching , if Jesus is savior for all christian , then why jesus said that who breakes any Law and any Commands , Dissovey the
Law he will not enter in the king dom of paradise , so how do you expecet that Jesus will save you all ? and finally for yousef do not call Islam a lie
do not go beyond the limits , read the bible and find out what to the bible say about Islam ,
M. Abdul, Pona . India
Added: Wednesday, August 6, 2008, 0:26 (BST)
WOW! This is truly amazing. Praise the Lord for His miracle of re-birth in Yousef - with God all things are possible!!
Bless Yousef for his courage to stand up and preach the good news ... in the face of much persecution.
...'When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' (Matt 19:25-26)
Shane, Happy Valley, South Australia
Added: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 20:11 (BST)
We don't have the answer to the question "why did God allow 9/11 happen,
and the blooshed of innocent people"? But the answer may be coming
by watching 6 million Muslims coming to Christian faith in Asia and Africa/year.
The Muslim community was the hardest people to reach with the gospel,
but they see vision of Christ, and their massive conversion in certain countries
like Indonesia is nothing but a divine plan of God. Now, not only the ordinary
Muslims are coming to Christ, but top leaders and radicals are coming to
Christ. God could use a radical Roman " Saul" as a radical Christian "Paul",
then anything can happen. There are thousands of secret believers in the
Gulf countries with vast wealth at their disposals. Our God is able to raise
up a donkey for His ultimate purpose, also He will use a King or a radical
leader for His purpose. Let us all pray to God for these converts from Islam
relgion to be mightly used for reaching all people for Christ, especially their
own own people.
A.S.Mathew, Ringgold, U.s.A.
Added: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 15:20 (BST)
I am so thankful that this young man has found Christ Jesus as His Savior! For there is no other Name under heaven by which we can be saved! He is the SON OF GOD offered for our sins, and He AROSE the VICTOR over the dark domain! HE is our LIght and LIfe and Hope and Salvation from our separation from The Father of LIGHTS! I am so thankful for this young man's boldness to to count the cost of following Jesus, and to be BOLD in Word and deed!
Cathy, usa
Added: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 10:38 (BST)
a very re-assuring story in these days, but i have no doubt someone may well try and put a bullett in his head for doing what he has done.
cyberlizard, planet earth
