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."
Peter denied Christ to save himself and was forgiven.
vaudine
I am familiar with the text, but we are not discussing Peter's being filled with the Holy Spirit, but whether this man was or not.
Reuters is so transparent. I couldnt' help but notice that they were careful to adhere to their corporate policy and not call those insane, cold-blooded murderers terrorist, calling them militants instead.
I don't know --- what does it take to become a muslim? You have to submit --- and it seems at least for the moment he submitted. It's not like they have Baptism or anything official --- just that submission. I wonder how they -- the muslims view it --- you can't "unsubmit" once you've submitted, I think he's probably under a death threat for the rest of his life.
Actually, no. I don't wish to. Arguments over the scriptures fall into the category of the "strife of tongues," in my opinion, and are unproductive.
Okay, that tears it. I can't stand reading any more of this.
I refuse to let some Al-Qaida scumbag be the determiner of my fate. I have family at home, and they need me. If you were staring down the barrel of an AK-47 wielded by a terrorist, and you knew that lying in this situation would mean your children still had a father (or mother, in the case of the ladies here), I think you, as well as just about everyone else here, would act quite differently than you're preaching. It's one thing to have a Bible verse handy for every possible situation, but it's quite another to be staring into the eyes of the devil, ready to take you from your loved ones, the ones who depend on you for guidance, education, and their general well-being, with the pull of a trigger.
And yes, I'm a Christian.
Good post.
What of the Christians who "practice in catacombs", as mentioned earlier, to spare their lives and the future of their very faith? What of the Christians and Jews who worshipped in secret in Hitler's Germany? What of the Chinese Christians of today who must "deny" God to their leaders and their countrymen on a daily basis to go on living? What of all persecuted believers in the Christian God throughout history?
Are all of these people doomed to the fires of Hell? Would God have a Christian, who is unarmed and facing certain demise, go rushing headlong into death in His name, with no hope of victory? Or would he bless this "denial" by his follower, this deception of the enemy, so that he may live to praise His name and fight for Him another day?
I confessed my faith in God before men on the day of my confirmation, and many times before and since. If God would condemn me to hell for deceiving an enemy that would slaughter me for my beliefs, rather than lift me up and strenghten my resolve to join in the fight against that enemy, then His will be done. I would choose the path that allows me to worship and fight another day.
I believe this man who denied his Christian faith to a maniac with a rifle will be forgiven. He has denied God with empty words in time of siege and war. He has not denied God in his heart and soul. There is a world of difference.
The word of God tells us that out of what is in our heart our mouth speaks. With our words we are justified or condemned. Words are very powerful.
Well I am American Baptist and I believe that too!
YES!
Oops! I hadn't read this post yet. I guess we were addressing different situations. Now, about post #290, that was posted by avenir. You must have meant a different number.
Post 321 is wrong. Post 12 is worded incorrectly. I'd rather say that the quote was correct, however, have you ever been in a similar situation as this man? I haven't, so I will not judge him, but would believe that God would allow him to repent.
What changed?
None of us know Him enough, although there are some who like to think they do. And you won't be getting in by the skin of your teeth. You'll be getting in by the grace of God, just like everyone else who confesses Christ.
Good point.
Likely this guy will get some more chances to submit to islam or affirm his faith --- the muslims aren't going to be very pleased when they find out they were lied to.
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