Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Christian lied about faith to survive Saudi siege
Reuters ^ | 31 May 2004 14:43:21 GMT | Samia Nakhoul

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."


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; christianarabs; coward; hostages; khobar; radicalmuslims; saudiarabia
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420 ... 721-738 next last
To: sweetliberty
If you won't read the texts I posted in reply to your question, there isn't any point in me trying to keep explaining the point.

But I can't help wonder, is your objection to Peter's conversion into the fulness of faith in Christ and being filled with power to be Christ's witness, or is your objection to Jesus?

381 posted on 05/31/2004 1:00:06 PM PDT by GretchenM (No military in the history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of others.-W)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 366 | View Replies]

To: Cronos
I have basically stated the same thing you have all over the thread.

Apparently people have forgotten how to read.

382 posted on 05/31/2004 1:00:06 PM PDT by sauropod (Paleo-cons make better lovers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 368 | View Replies]

To: cyborg
That has to be one of my top 10 pet peeves.

In fact, there are only a couple of things that piss me off more than seeing a truly fugly guy like Rushdie with a really hot babe.

I can't think of what they are at the moment, but...

383 posted on 05/31/2004 1:01:30 PM PDT by The Scourge of Yazid ("This is so cool, 'cause Speed knows who killed JFK! " "Okay, who killed JFK?" "Dezi Arnez.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 379 | View Replies]

To: Cronos
Yes we do.

I am not smart enough to know that this individual can or cannot be saved.

What I know is that the verse in Matthew was the first thing that came into my mind upon reading the headline. There but for the grace of God go I. I pray that with His strength I would make the correct choice.

384 posted on 05/31/2004 1:02:38 PM PDT by sauropod (Paleo-cons make better lovers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 375 | View Replies]

To: Recovering_Democrat
I think the presence of Christian Arabs is often overlooked by those of us in the West. Nominal or practicing, we need to remember there are Arabs who do not proclaim Islam as their religion.

True, there are quite a few of them -- 40% of Lebanon is Christian, 10% of Syria, 3% of Egypt, 2% of Palestinians, 1 to 2% of Iraaqis etc.
385 posted on 05/31/2004 1:03:10 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: Recovering_Democrat
I do not believe, though, that the terrorists who are bombing women and children on "behalf of the Palestinian cause" are Christian...though I do think there are Christian Arabs among the Palestinian population.

The terrrorists are allMuslims. However, there ARE Christians amongst the Palestinians.
386 posted on 05/31/2004 1:03:58 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
The 12th chapter of the Gospel of Luke reiterates and expands somewhat on the verses cited upthread from Matthew.
Luke 12:1-10
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.


387 posted on 05/31/2004 1:04:50 PM PDT by Darlin' ("I will not forget this wound to my country." President George W Bush, 20 Sept 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Recovering_Democrat; sauropod
He hasn't denied Christ forever...he had a moment of weakness. Just like you. And just like me.

Ping on that. I guess sauropod wasn't judging, just quoting from the Bible.
388 posted on 05/31/2004 1:05:35 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: GretchenM; sweetliberty

I think she's referring to the man in the story, NOT Peter, and she's tried to explain that to you.

I don't believe she's arguing about Peter, but you wish to.


389 posted on 05/31/2004 1:06:21 PM PDT by cyncooper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 381 | View Replies]

To: DallasMike

"This guy has just lost his eternal life. He'd better enjoy this one."

"Peter denied Christ 3 times and received forgiveness."

That was my thought too. Those who would call this cowardice: Search your heart, would you be brave enough to become a Christian martyr in such a circumstance?


390 posted on 05/31/2004 1:06:38 PM PDT by WOSG (Peace through Victory! Iraq victory, W victory, American victory!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Cronos
I'm not smart enough to "judge." ;-).

God gave us minds with the ability to reason for a reason though (how's that for a tortured sentence). We have the ability to recognize evil for what it is.

When you say something that is true, some people say, "How dare you judge!"

Oh well...

391 posted on 05/31/2004 1:08:30 PM PDT by sauropod (Paleo-cons make better lovers)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 388 | View Replies]

To: Windsong; OldCorps

The creed is everything in the Bible. It states our faith -- that we believe in God and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.


392 posted on 05/31/2004 1:09:19 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 156 | View Replies]

To: cyncooper; sweetliberty

Thank you cyncooper, I truly didn't get it that "the Jordanian" sweetliberty referred to was the Arab hostage. I thought she was using it to refer to Peter. Live and learn.

If sweetliberty will read my post @ 290 I address what she is asking about.


393 posted on 05/31/2004 1:09:57 PM PDT by GretchenM (No military in the history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of others.-W)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 389 | View Replies]

To: Darlin'
What an interesting thread this one has become.

I had no idea how much discussion would ensue, mostly from that very carefully crafted headline by Reuters......

They play us like a violin......

394 posted on 05/31/2004 1:10:37 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach (The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 363 | View Replies]

To: RaceBannon
Very good Race,& Joe Snuffy.

Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one.

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak

. Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Some people:

Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

395 posted on 05/31/2004 1:12:51 PM PDT by mississippi red-neck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 220 | View Replies]

To: sauropod

I don't think you know exactly how you would react in the same situation, I don't think you COULD be in the same situation (viz. an Arab Christian), neither could I. So, I'm not going to comment on this man's fate. All I know is that Our God would forgive the worst of sins.


396 posted on 05/31/2004 1:13:01 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 195 | View Replies]

To: sauropod

I don't think you know exactly how you would react in the same situation, I don't think you COULD be in the same situation (viz. an Arab Christian), neither could I. So, I'm not going to comment on this man's fate. All I know is that Our God would forgive the worst of sins, IF the person repents


397 posted on 05/31/2004 1:13:10 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 195 | View Replies]

To: GretchenM

Thanks for the clarification. I've misunderstood a post or three in my day!

:)


398 posted on 05/31/2004 1:14:46 PM PDT by cyncooper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 393 | View Replies]

To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Gee, but the Saudis are our allies, aren't they? Isn't that why we are still rying to foster ties with them? < /sarcasm>

That is one country that needs to be turned into a parking lot. I doubt we'll ever see a president with enough balls to do it.

399 posted on 05/31/2004 1:14:52 PM PDT by Bella_Bru (It's for the children = It takes a village)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MississippiMan
As already noted, Peter denied Him three times when the heat was on.

Do note that later on, when the heat was on again, he did NOT deny his Lord.
400 posted on 05/31/2004 1:15:26 PM PDT by Cronos (W2K4!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 216 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420 ... 721-738 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson