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."
Well said FITZ. Very well said. If I may answer your question to sinkspur from my own perspective, no, I do not feel that Jesus was honored at all.
I do not agree with your application of this verse to this situation. From a very pragmatic point of view, he just confessed Christ before several billion people, because he now confesses he is indeed a Christian. Didn't the apostle Peter deny Christ, then spend the rest of his life confessing Christ?
I'm actually kinda surprised that it hasn't been moved to the backroom. It has been a good thread, but there have been a few real nasty snipes on it.
I think so. It's the same thing that had so many Germans allowing the Nazis to do what they did -- fear.
typo time: it's 299, not 290
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1145180/posts?page=299#299
I understand your point as well. However, did he not deny Him "when it counted" so to speak? Just questions.
And we know that Jesus has not given us the spirit of fear...
I know you didn't address your question to me, but I can't resist replying.
Our Father in Heaven would be disappointed of course, but he also will defend us against our enemy in the end. (he is our guide as parents...all Christians sin to the end) The only sin that is unforgivable is the one of non-acceptance..or failure to accept Jesus, and become a child of God.
I have to think the man's status with God is more important than what he professes. Fear is an enemy...and not all believers' faith is strong. Maybe he was still a babe in Christ..and hadn't learned enough about martyrdom yet?
Jesus asked His Father to "take this cup away from me," on the eve of His Death.
I'm sure He understood.
That's for sure..and the devil will torment Christians constantly.. *am thinking of the Job*
Yeah, I skimmed some of the other pages...and saw some heated words. Maybe there haven't been complaints..and for that I'm grateful. This thread is witnessing to the lurkers. :)
I am sure that He does understand having walked in similar shoes many years ago. It is sad that many of us have not come to the "nevertheless" part yet.
Baloney. It is precisely what you said in your earlier post: "This guy has just lost his eternal life. He'd better enjoy this one."
Yeah ... that would be a sure sign of a loving merciful God ... condemning people to hell ... that's the kind of God the Islamafacists have ... and not one that I want
Luckily this man still has more time to get it right with God.
I don't think I could do what this man did --- especially grabbing the Koran and passing it off as something I could believe in --- I might grab it and try to quickly find the parts where the "people of the Book" are discussed and try to use one of the Muslims' own lies to save my life --- that THEY are supposed to accept the people of the Book so that they shouldn't behead me.
Furthermore, he knows that his time is short and will rage against us even more in these last days.
If you knew me you would understand that the question should be, how did you act when you were in that situation.
No doubt, there is always forgiveness available. The point is that followers of Christ are expected to give very careful consideration of what it means to actually follow Christ and to be ready to take a stand.
Excellent point.
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