Top Hamas leader's son converts to Christianity
by Ethan Cole, Christian Post
Posted: Tuesday, August 5, 2008, 9:22 (BST)
"Then (in prison) I understood that not everyone in Hamas is like my father. He's a nice, friendly man. But I discovered how evil his colleagues are," Yousef said. "After my release I lost the faith I had in those who ostensibly represented Islam."
Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the United States, Israel, and many Western countries. The group has publicly vowed to destroy Israel.
Now Yousef, the eldest son of Sheikh Yousef, says he "admires" Israel.
"You Jews should be aware: You will never, but never have peace with Hamas," Yousef stated. "Islam, as the ideology that guides them, will not allow them to achieve a peace agreement with the Jews. They believe that tradition says that the Prophet Mohammed fought against the Jews and that therefore they must continue to fight them to the death."
He denounced the "entire" Palestinian society as one that "sanctifies death and the suicide terrorist.
"In Palestinian culture a suicide terrorist becomes a hero, a martyr. Sheiks tell their students about the 'heroism of the shaheeds (martyr)'."
Yousef highlighted that Hamas was the first to use suicide bombers as weapons against civilians.
"They (Hamas) are blind and ignorant. It's true, there are good and bad people everywhere, but Hamas supporters don't understand that they are led by a wicked and cruel group that brainwashes the children and gets them to believe that if they carry out a suicide attack they'll get to paradise," he said.
The Muslim-turned-Christian says he does not think Islam will survive for more than 25 years because the truth about Islam will be exposed given the mass communication available in the modern age.
For his part, Yousef says he hopes to "open the eyes" of Muslims and "reveal the truth" to them about Islam and Christianity with the goal to "take them out of the darkness and the prison of Islam".
"In that way they'll have an opportunity to correct their mistakes, to become better people and to bring a chance for peace in the Middle East," he said.
Yousef, who has taken the biblical name of Joseph, said he dreams of one day becoming a writer to tell his personal story and about the Middle East conflicts.
"But at the moment, at least, my ambitions are only to find work, a place to live," admits Yousef, who left behind properties in Ramallah to find true freedom. "I have no money, I have no apartment.
"I was about to become one of those homeless people [in the United States]," he confessed, "but people from the church are helping me. I'm dependent on them."
He also dreams that some day he can return to his homeland and his family will accept Jesus Christ.
"I know that I'm endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he'll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity," Yousef said. "Maybe one day I'll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God."
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
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
