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."
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?
Apparently people have forgotten how to read.
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...
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.
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.
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.
"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?
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...
The creed is everything in the Bible. It states our faith -- that we believe in God and His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.
I had no idea how much discussion would ensue, mostly from that very carefully crafted headline by Reuters......
They play us like a violin......
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.
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.
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
Thanks for the clarification. I've misunderstood a post or three in my day!
:)
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.
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