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."
Interesting opinion given your tagline.
I said, "But then, you must not be a Christian, or else you'd understand."
You said, "IOW, anyone who does not hold the EXACT same views as you isn't a Christian?"
I did not say that since you do not believe as I, you are not a Christian.
A little angry, are you?
Same here. But remember that Peter did the very same thing, and it was in a far less dangerous situation when *he* was tempted.
Why do you claim to know more that God?
Perhaps this happend so the story would get out. As they say, dead men tell no tales.
Why don't you learn something about whom one must confess to.
To All: If i were in that situation, the first thing that would come to my mind is the verse in Matthew that several have referenced here.
I hope and pray that i would be strong enough to honor it. I was not judging the Jordanian. I feel tremendously sad for what happened over there.
You said that, since the poster didn't hold what you understand to be truth as true that he wasn't a Christian.
That the same thing, as clintoon like parsing of your words will not make it mean anything different.
No. One can lose his salvation, as referenced in Revelations when Jesus talks of "removing one's lampstand from its place" and "erasing their name from the lamb's book of life". It could be argued that Judas was saved at one point but..well..look what happened to him.
Go back and read other replies to your comments. I think you should calm down and actually read what is written.
Relax.
He is no different, I agree.
Perhaps. I'm not smart enough to know.
Oh fer cryin out loud! Recite a creed?!? That is nowhere in the Bible?
Absolutely right - I would only hope that I had a similar presence of mind if so confronted.
I can only conclude that the various condemners on this thread hate this God-given life.
At what mental cost Maria?
Your argument is one like my kids try to use. "Daddy, ___ took some cookies without asking. So I should get some cookies too."
Well --- Jesus could forgive him --- but this man will always need to live in fear now --- he might have become a Muslim for a few minutes to save his life, but once a Muslim, always a Muslim --- they can kill him now for trying to change back to Christianity. It's the death penalty for any who try to leave that religion.
It's very easy to damn this guy while you're sitting in the safety of your home.
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