Posted on 05/31/2004 9:00:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, May 31 (Reuters) - A Christian Arab who was held captive by al Qaeda militants in Saudi Arabia said on Monday he lied to them about his faith and praised their battle against the West, to save his life.
Nizar Hajazeen, a Jordanian software businessmen who was at the Tower hotel in the Oasis compound during the 25-hour drama in Khobar, said the militants lectured him about Islam and their aim to liberate Saudi Arabia from "infidels and crusaders".
The complex where the militants held about 50 foreigners -- including some Westerners -- was their last target in the violence in the eastern Saudi oil city in which they killed at least 22 people.
Hajazeen, 32, had tried to call a cab to go to work on Saturday but the phone lines were jumbled.
"I went down and the Filipino receptionist told me there were terrorists in the compound and gunshots were heard," he told Reuters.
He tried to help security guards close the hotel entrance gate but the lock did not work and a manager recommended he hide, Hajazeen said.
"I went to the room of a Jordanian colleague. Someone banged violently on the door. We opened and there were two men, one with a machinegun, another with a revolver. They were wearing black track suits," he said, adding that one had a wounded arm.
Both were in their twenties.
"They asked us if we were Arab or Westerners. We told them: 'We're Arab'.
"One then asked if I was a Christian or a Muslim. I told him we were Muslims and showed him my colleague's Koran as proof. I told him we supported them and that we were against America and Europe. I had to say that."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
Residents of the compound said the attackers asked everyone they encountered if they were Muslim or Christian, before taking them hostage or killing them.
An Oasis manager said the gunmen shot and killed several Westerners as soon as they entered the complex.
The gunmen made two Indian hotel staff with master keys show them where the Westerners were, Hajazeen said.
His brother called him on his mobile phone to wish him a happy birthday -- a day late -- just as the militants were saying their motive was to drive Americans and Christians from their country.
"They asked me to turn off my mobile but did not take it away as they did with others," Hajazeen said, adding that they told him and his colleague to stay in the room and left.
"We stayed locked in our room. One of us was hiding in the shower, another one was hiding in the bathtub," Hajazeen said, adding that from time to time they sneaked back into the bedroom to watch the news on television.
He said that before commandos freed them on Sunday, compound security guards called his mobile to ask him to check if the militants had rigged his floor with explosives. He found nothing.
"Before the commandos came, there was heavy gunfire and one explosion shook the hotel. We could hear glass being smashed, screams... It sounded like someone was giving out orders."
Saudi security forces later called them out, saying: "Do not be scared."
Making his way to freedom he saw the bodies of four Indians and an Italian cook.
"They had been shot dead. Some were on the staircases."
I haven't had a chance to read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has already been mentioned but we may have to give kudos to the guy's muslim friend. This muslim may very well have known that his colleague was indeed a Christian, but kept quiet about it to spare his friend's life. Just a thought.
Thanks, Av. The mercy mindset is not always easy to maintain, but it is the right thing to do. :-)
MM
Public school education? Sorry; couldn't resist.
There was no indwelling of the Holy Spirit before Christs death and resurrection, so Peter was acting in his own inadequate strength.
That is exactly what I meant. However, in my view, it doesn't mean that she and her child cannot be extremely blessed. Just as anyone who committed other sins (as we all have) are.
The "Yes, but" defense is something else my kids do. Nice try.
Indeed; and that is a true taste of redemption.
This Christian hopes that you are correct. I would not have taken that chance though.
Tell that to Saint Peter.
Mat 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Mat 26:70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
Mat 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Mat 26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Mat 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Mat 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Are you a better man than Peter?
More likely a devil did --- nothing good would want to touch the Koran.
So, is Peter in hell now? I just don't agree with you.
Looks like that both you and I are correct ;-). I will check that site out.
"if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Rom. 10:9)
We should all hope he is --- but still I think it was luck on this man's side this time that the muslims were so gullible that they believed his story. He's got time to repent but that won't save him from the muslims now that they know he tricked them and is renouncing his muslim faith.
I went to church regularly and to outside appearances, I was very religous.
But it was only 'head' religion, and not heart religion.
Until Christ became Lord of my life, I was truly aimless in my faith.
Studying the Word, reading it daily, really helped me become more discipled in my spiritual walk.
It turned my life around.
God is awesome!
Don't let yourself become confused by the contrariness of difference of opionions.
Pray for true discernment of the scripture and of God.
He will surely help you.
And find a spiritually sound church......a church who professes belief in the Trinity ....of sound doctrine.
Be with folks who will not lead you astray.
If you truly seek, you will find.
On what Scriptural basis?
Hasn't it occurred to you yet that you don't know it all? That in fact you are in grievous error and should be repenting instead of hectoring?
Being purposely ambiguous does not win a debate.
You claim to stand in judgement of this man's eternal life and call me obnoxious?! That sir, is truly pot/kettle.
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