Priests Embracing Islam

Priests Embracing Islam
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P riests
Embracing
Islam
Prepared by: Abo Kareem El-Marakshy
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Contents
Name Page
1- Chaplain Yusuf Estes Ex-Christian Businessman & Preacher. (USA) 4
2- Abdullah M. al-Faruque Formerly Kenneth L. Jenkins, former minister and elder 21

of the Pentecostal Church. (USA)
3- Dr. Jerald F. Dirks (Abu Yahya) Former minister (deacon) of the United 28
Methodist Church. Master's degree in Divinity from Harvard University and a
Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver. (USA)
4- Sister Khadijah "Sue" Watson Former pastor, missionary, professor. Master's 42

degree in Divinity. (USA –Philippines)
5- Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed (Ibrahim Khalil Philobus) Former Coptic priest and 45
missionary. (Egypt)
6- Martin John Mwaipopo Former Lutheran Archbishop. (Tanzania) 51
7- Raphael Former Jehovah's Witness Minister. (USA) 55
8- George Anthony Former Catholic priest. (Sri Lanka) 63
9- Dr. Gary Miller (Abdul-Ahad Omar) a mathematician and Christian missionary. 64

(Canada - USA)
10- Rev. David Benjamin Keldani (Abdu 'l-Ahad Dáwúd). (Iran) 69

11- Muhammad Aman Hobohm Diplomat, Missionary and Social Worker. 72
(Germany)
12- Archpriest Viacheslav Polosin. (Russia) 74
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1- Chaplain Yusuf Estes Ex-Christian Businessman &

Preacher ( USA ).
Chaplain Yusuf Estes Before Chaplain Yusuf Estes After
My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me
Skip. I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and
music industry since I was a boy in the 1950's. My father and I have
established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment
for fun (and profit). I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and
entertained the children as "Skippy the Clown."
Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for
Religious Leaders. Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United
States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC. and I join alongside many
American Muslims, working with Muslim student and youth organizations
as well as schools for Muslim children. As such, I travel around the entire
world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam.
We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the
opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests
everywhere. Some of our work is in the institutional area, military,
universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate
the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although
Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on
earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not
correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace,
Surrender and Obedience to God" [Arabic = 'Islam']
How.It.Happened: This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may
share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophet hood,
sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many
folks are today. Really, I was. Let me explain.
I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family
and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land,
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but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I
was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I'm old). We
attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena,
Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their
teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic
movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in
Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I
developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My
research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism,
Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of
my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was
"Islam". Why? Good question.
Music.Minister
Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially
Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it
followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for
the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became
affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in
1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes
Music Studios."
Business Projects In Texas, Oklahoma and Florida
Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business
projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened
piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. We
had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the
peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the
real plan of salvation. I'm sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why
did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly
who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in 'original sin?" and "Why
would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his 'sins' and then as a result
be punished forever." But if you asked anyone these questions, they would
probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a
'mystery' and you shouldn't ask - "Just have faith, brother."
Trinity.Concept
Strangely enough, the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible. And it has been a
concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up
by Almighty God. I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort
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of an idea how 'one' could figure out to become 'three' or how God Himself,
Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people's sins, but
rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then
take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God
of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the
universe as we know it. They never seemed to be able to come up with
anything other than opinions or strange analogies.
Father - Ordained Non-Denominational Minister
My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church
school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his
wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and
even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower"
in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and
Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and Pat Robertson.
Met.A.Man.From.Egypt
It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from
Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me
when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know,
the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.
He Was A "Mozlem": Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists.-
and.who.knows.what.else?
Then my father mentioned that this man was a 'Moslem.' First, I hated the
idea of meeting an "infidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-
believer." Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea. I couldn't
believe my ears. A 'Moslem?' No way! I reminded my dad of the various
different things that we had heard about these people.
Lies Against Muslims & Islam - They Told Us, Muslims:
 Don't even believe in God
 They worship a black box in the desert.
 And they kiss the ground five times a day.
No.Way!.I.Did.Not.Want.to.Meet.Him!
I did not want to meet this 'Moslem' man. No way! My father insisted that I
meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. This was too
much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around
with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that
were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything
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to do with these people?

Idea.-."Change.Him.To.Christian"
Then an idea came to me, "We can change this man to Christian." So, I gave
in and agreed to the meeting. But on my terms.
Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with "Jesus Is Lord!" on.it. I
agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up
and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my
arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on
my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two
young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with
the 'Moslems.'
Where.Is.He? When I came into the shop and asked my father where the
'Moslem' was, he pointed and said: "He's right over there."
I was confused. That couldn't be the Moslem. No way.
Turban.&.Beard? I'm looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big
turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all
the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.
No.Turban.-.No.Beard.-.[No.Hair.at.All!]
This man had no beard. In fact, he didn't even have any hair on his head at
all. He was nearly bald. Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm
welcome and handshake. This didn't make sense. I thought they are terrorists
and bombers. What is this all about?
He.Needs.Jesus Never mind. I'll get right to work on this guy. He needs to
be 'saved' in the 'Name of Jesus' and me and the Lord are going to do it.
Introduction.&.Interrogation After a quick introduction,
I asked him:."do.you.believe.in.God?
He.said: Yes..(Good!)
Then.I.said:."Do.you.believe.in.Adam.and.Eve?"
He.said: .Yes . (Very Good!).
I said: What about Abraham?
You believe in him and how.he.tried.to.sacrifice.his.son.for.God?
He.said:.Yes.(Even.better!).
Then.I.asked:."What.about.Moses?"."Ten.Commandments?".
"Parting.the.Red.Sea?".
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Again.he.said: ."Yes." (Better still!)

Then:.What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and
John.the.Baptist?
He.said:.Yes..(Great!)
I.asked: Do you believe.in.the.Bible?.
Again,.he.said:.Yes. - (OK!) .
So,now.it.was.time.for.the.big.question:Do.you.believe.in.Jesus?.That.he.
was.the.Messiah.(Christ).of.God?.
Again.the.said:.Yes..(Fantastic!)
Well now - "This was going to be easier than I had thought."
He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn't know it.
And I was just the one to do it, too.
Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?

One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in
the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that's not all, they believe
in Jesus as:
* A true messenger of God;
* Prophet of God;
* Miracle birth without human intervention;
* He was the 'Christ' or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;
* He is with God now and most important;
* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the
'Antichrist.'
After "winning souls to the Lord for Jesus" day after day, this would be a
big achievement for me, to catch one of these 'Moslems' and 'convert' him to
Christianity.
I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop
in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs. While we sat in
that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to
know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively
to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked
this man's way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good
Christian. - Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of
my eyes.
First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man
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and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my

business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride
together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people
have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite
radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor
individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the
purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His
Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as
well.
One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of
the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be
living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could
invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there
with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and
he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around.
My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.
Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists
around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas -- Mexico border
and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge
wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder
and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling
these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars
and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give
them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.
One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the
Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him
in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me
with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and
religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did
not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was
sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his
wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn't
matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the
planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I
was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.
I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life.
So, I began to 'witness' to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book
of Jonah in the Old Testament. And the idea was that we can't really run
away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And
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what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic.Priest
After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and
me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that
he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that
he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic
priest and I don't handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew
that. In fact, he said: "I am a Catholic.priest."
I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest.
What in the world was happening here?
Priest.in.Latin.America
The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for
over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New
York's 'Hell's Kitchen.' When he was released from the hospital he needed a
place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic
family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us
in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all
that he would so, he moved out right away.
Priests.Must.Study.ISLAM?.-.YES!
During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the
concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared
even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic
priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this
subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more
to come.
Different.Versions.of.the.Bible
After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner
every night to discuss religion. My father would bring his King James
Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the
Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like
Jimmy Swaggart's 'Good News For Modern Man." The priest of course, had
the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible.
So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the
most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming
a Christian.
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Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists

At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of
it there were in the last 1,400 years. He told me that there was only ONE
QURAN. And that it had never been changed. Yet he let me know that the
Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people, in it's
entirety and were scattered about the earth in many different countries. Over
the centuries since the Quran was revealed millions have memorized it
completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely,
from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes. Today, over 9 million
Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.
This did not seem possible to me. After all, the original languages of the
Bible have all been dead languages for centuries and the documents
themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of
years. So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to
preserve and to recite from cover to cover.
Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him
to the mosque to see what it was like there. They came back talking about
their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like
and what all types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn't really
'do' anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said: "They left?
Without any speeches or singing?" He said that was right.
Priest.Enters.Islam!
A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he
might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did. But this time it
was different. They did not come back for a very long time. It became dark
and we worried that something might have happened to them. Finally they
arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized
Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white
robe and a white cap. Hold on a minute! It was the priest. I said to him:
"Pete? -- Did you become a 'Moslem?
He said that he had entered into Islam that very day. THE PRIEST
BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next? (You'll see).
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My.Wife.Announces.Her.Islam!
So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife
about the whole subject. She then told me that she too was going to enter
into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.
I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and
asked him to come outside with me for a discussion. We walked and talked
that whole night through.
Truth.Had.Come!
By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I
knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part. I
went out back behind my father's house and found an old piece of plywood
lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground
facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.
Guide.Me!.O.God!.Guide.Me!
Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and
my head on the ground, I asked: "O God. If you are there, guide me, guide
me."
And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I
didn't see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or
music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change
inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me
to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky. It was time that I really work at
being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do.
So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was
'washing' away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I
was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.
Around 11:00 A.M. that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-
priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob's, and the other Mohamed
Abdel Rahman and announced my 'shahadah' (open testimony to the
Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him).
"I bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty Allah, alone
and He has no partners and I bear witness that Muhammad is His
messenger and servant."
A few minutes later, my wife follow along and gave the same testimony. But
hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).
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My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more
months before he made his shahadah (public testimony). But he did finally
commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the
other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).
The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim
schools. And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran
and the teachings of Islam.
My father's wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not
be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but
not God. She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86.
May Allah accept her statement of faith, ameen.
Now stop and think. A whole entire household of people from varying
backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to
know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Think. A
Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained
minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-
grandmother - they all come into Islam!
Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by
removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer
having seals over our hearts - He was Guiding us now.
Amazing Story - Family and Friends Entering Islam - From One Man.
If I were to stop right here, I'm sure that you would have to admit that at
least, this is an amazing story, right? After all, three religious leaders of
three separate denominations all going into one very opposite belief at the
same time and then soon after the rest of the household.
More? - Yes! Baptist Seminary Student Reads Quran - Accepts Islam
But that is not all. There is more! The same year, while I was in Grand
Prairie, Texas (near Dallas) I met a Baptist seminary student from Tennessee
named Joe, who also came to Islam after reading the Holy Quran while in
BAPTIST SEMINARY COLLEGE!
More? Yes. Catholic Priest Loves Islam - But Needs His Job!
There are others as well. I recall the case of the Catholic priest in a college
town who talked about the good things in Islam so much that I was forced to
ask him why he didn't enter Islam. He replied: "What? And loose my job?"
- His name is Father John and we still pray for Allah to Guide Him.
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Another.Catholic.Priest.Makes.Shahadah
The very next year I met a former Catholic priest who had been a
missionary for 8 years in Africa. He learned about Islam while he was there
and entered into Islam. He then changed his name to Omar and moved to
Dallas Texas.
Any more? Again - Yes! Orthodox Arch Bishop leaves church for Islam
Two years later, while in San Antonio, Texas I was introduced to a former
Arch Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Russia who learned about Islam and
gave up his position to enter Islam.
Daughter of Hindu Pundit (Religious Leader) - Accepts Islam –
Helping.thousands.to.Islam
I met a woman in New York who wanted to make our CDs about "What Is
Islam?" After giving her permission several years ago, I have learned she
has produced and distributed over 600 thousand of these to the non-Muslims
in America. May Allah reward her and keep her strong in her efforts, ameen.
Hundreds.-.Thousands.-.Still.Coming
And since my own entrance into Islam and becoming a chaplain to the
Muslims throughout the country and around the world, I have encountered
many more individuals who were leaders, teachers and scholars in other
religions who learned about Islam and entered into it. They came from
Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek and
Russian Orthodox, Coptic Christians from Egypt, non-denominational
churches and even scientists who had been atheists.
The combination always seems to be the same; people are sincerely seeking
the truth and are willing to put their different prejudices and biases out of
their minds and begin to ask God for His Guidance in their lives.
So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and
becoming Muslim. There is more on the Internet about this story and there
are more pictures there as well. Please take the time to visit it and then
please take the time to email me and let us come together to share in all
truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and
goals in this life and the Next Life.
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May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to

purification of the heart?
1-Clean - your mind, your heart & soul - remove all prejudices & biases.
2-Thank God - for what you have - every moment of every day.
3-Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Noble Quran in
a.language.that.they.can.understand.best.
(http://islamtomorrow.com/downloads/noblequran.exe)
4-Reflect on the meanings & consider the bounties of your Lord.
5-Seek - Forgiveness From God & Learn to Forgive others.
6-Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.
7-Open - your heart and mind.
8-Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it.
9-Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of
your soul."
Remember -Clean;Thank;Read;Reflect-
Then "Seek, and ye shall find. Ask, and it shall be given thee. Knock,
and.it.shall.be.opened."
Then Continue & Avoid.

The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe. If you truly
love Him, then He already Knows it and He will deal with each of us
according to our hearts. [
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Now as I promised here are the answers to the questions many have asked
me connected with my choice of Islam:
1. "How could you have turned your back on the perfect plan of
salvation of Jesus Christ on the cross for you sins?"
Answer: Your question implies you have not considered the similarities and
teachings of the Bible and the Quran.
"ISLAM" means - "Surrender, submit and obey your Lord in sincerity and
peace." Whoever is trying to do this, is a "MUSLIM." If someone believes in
Almighty God as One God and One Lord and wants to commit their life to
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serving Him and obeying His Commandments, then that person will be in
the right way and they will be "saved" according to God's Mercy. No one
can take the sins of another and the guilty must stand accused for what they
have done. It will be up to Almighty God to Forgive or Punish according to
His Judgment on that Day.
According to the remains of the translations of the Bible Jesus, peace be
upon him, did not preach a message of salvation by worshipping him. This
was something added later by Saul (who later became Paul). We find clear
statements indicating salvation would come only through acknowledging
Almighty God as One God and worshipping Him with all the heart, mind
and strength. Jesus, peace be upon him, taught his followers to worship "My
God and your God, My Lord and your Lord."
Again, according to the remains of the English translation of the Bible, we
see the one on the cross crying out a very blasphemous statement, "Eli! Eli!
Lama sabachthani?" (Which being translated means, "My God! My God!
Why have you forsaken me?") This statement on the cross clearly indicates
the one on the cross is not pleased with the situation nor does he consider it
right or just. Therefore, one would have to conclude this was not something
Jesus approved of nor did he accept, or else someone else was on the cross
in his place. Either way you look at it, the one on the cross did not accept
this as a plan of salvation.
The Quran is absolutely in agreement with these teachings and Muslims do
worship the same God and Lord of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Adam, peace
be upon them all. The Quran states in many places, no one will be taken to
task for the sins of another, nor can anyone carry the burden of another. We
will all be on our own on that Day. And I ask Allah to have Mercy and
Forgiveness for all those who believe in Him, ameen.
I consider that I have not left the teachings of Jesus Christ, peace be upon
him. On the contrary, I feel much closer to Jesus, peace be upon him, and I
look forward to His return on earth more than ever before. Now I am
worshipping the same God he worships and I serve the same Lord he serves,
in the very same way he does. Jesus prayed to Almighty God and taught his
followers to do the same. I am simply doing what he commanded to the best
of my ability and ask Almighty God to accept it.
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2. "Do you consider you were really "saved" and that you had
in fact, been "born again?"
Answer: The Baptists have a statement, "Once saved, always saved." I

asked one of them about this and he agreed it was true. Then I mentioned at
one time I had become a Baptist (in my teen years) but now I was a Muslim.
I had also been "saved" and baptized at the age of 12. I had accepted the
very statement of Jesus being the way, the light and the truth and no man
coming on to the Father except by him. I understood these statements to
mean I must follow Jesus and his teachings. Therefore, I read the Bible for
myself and did not let others tell me what to think about what I was reading.
The Bible states that Jesus prayed for salvation for himself in the garden of
Gethsemane in this way, "Let this cup pass from me, even so, Thy Will be
done." This prayer was repeated by Jesus, peace be upon him, a number of
times and it is mentioned in more than one Gospel. Yet, according to
Biblical accounts, the cup did not pass from him and his prayers were NOT
ANSWERED. Islam teaches us his prayers were answered and he did not
have to endure the cruel treatment and death on the cross, but rather he was
taken up while still alive and is with Almighty God even now and ready to
return in the Last Days to bring victory to the believers.
Additionally, we find Jesus, peace be upon him, teaching his disciples to
pray like this, "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy
Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all
evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and Glory, forever and ever,
ameen." Every Muslim I have met accepts every single word of this pray
with the exception of calling "Allah" our "Father." Muslims consider it
better to call on Almighty God by His Names, which we do consider to be
"Hallowed."
17
3. "How did your family respond to your conversion?"

Answer: This is always difficult for families to adjust to and it usually takes
time. My family was no exception. Although my wife, children entered into
Islam and eventually my father came to declare Islam to be the way of
salvation for himself, still my own mother and many others in my family
resented our going to Islam at first. Eventually, things became more
normalized and we do stay in touch, although they are all still very much
involved in Christianity.
Allah promises to test those who declare their faith in Him with many types
of difficulties and family is one of those mentioned as a test in the Quran. I
do pray for them and ask Allah to guide them to the very best in this life and
the very best in the Next Life. But it is up to Allah if He wants them to be in
Submission to Him (Islam means, submission to Allah) or not.
4. "How about your congregation? What did they say?"
Answer: I never had my own church. I was a music minister in the Church
of God (Anderson, Indiana branch) in Texas and did my preaching to
businessmen and informal gatherings. Those who knew me for the most part
did not object and some even came to Islam, but there were a few who felt
very upset and accused me of "Turing my back on Jesus, peace be upon
him." No matter what I tried to say or do, these particular individuals would
not listen nor did they want to learn anything about Islam.
5. "Did you experience a lot of difficulties in changing religions?"
Answer: Certainly anyone who wants to consider Islam in these times, just
as in times gone by, will have to recognize there will be certain difficulties
and tests along the way. The followers of Jesus, peace be upon him, were
highly criticized and persecuted even until death (read what Paul said he
used to do to them in the Bible; Book of Acts of the Apostles). Those who
followed Muhammad, peace be upon him, suffered at the hands of their very
own tribes, yet they were determined to continue to worship Almighty God
Alone, without partners and submit to His Will.
The biggest problem with non-Muslims, is their lack of understanding and
lack of knowledge as to what Islam is really all about and who the Muslims
are supposed to be. I pray for them all and ask Allah to forgive the Muslims
for not showing a better picture to everyone.
18
6. "Who was responsible for converting you?"

Answer: As Muslims we believe that it is only Allah who guides the people
and whoever He guides will not be misguided and whomever He lets go
astray none will be able to guide them. As such, it means we don't believe
anyone really can "convert" someone else.
Also, we accept that all children are born in the natural state of submission
to Almighty God and as such that means they are Muslims. Should a child
die he or she would go to Heaven as they are not responsible for what they
do not understand.
7. "Don't you ever think about coming back to being
a Christian?"
Answer: "Christian" indicates a follower of Christ. When Jesus, peace be
upon him, returns to earth in the Last Days, all the Muslims will be obliged
to follow him. But we would not call ourselves "Christians" anymore than he
would. He never called himself or his companions "Christians." The Bible
tells us they were never even called "Christians" until Paul was preaching
his message in Antioch.
8. "Doesn't it bother you to have left the way of peace, justice and love
for a religion of hatred, violence and oppression toward women and
others?"
Answer: All the prophets, peace be upon them all, called the people to
worship Almighty God as One God and One Lord. As such, those who did
not want to submit to Almighty God would combat them and treat them with
hostilities, even unto death, as Paul had done while still being a Pharisee.
The prophets, peace be upon them all, did encourage their followers to live
in peace and deal with people in justice and certainly love is the highest
form of emotion a human can have for another human being.
Yet at the same time, believers have to defend themselves, their families and
the religion itself, lest those who are not believers should remove belief from
the very face of the earth. Islam, like Christianity preaches a message of
peace and tolerance - to a point. But when this is no longer possible without
totally compromising and loosing one's way of life and belief system, then
there is no alternative except to engage in open combat against those who
are combating against the believers.
Jesus called upon his followers to sell their coats and buy swords. He
explained that he did not come with peace, but rather a sword. He and his
companions were engaged in mortal combat with their enemies, the
19
Pharisees when one of the priests slaves had his ear cut by the sword. Jesus
then told them to put down their swords. This is mentioned in the Bible.
The word "sword" appears over 200 times in the Bible - but even though the
Arabic language has more than a dozen words for sword, there is not a single
occurrence of any of these words anywhere in the Quran.
Combat is ordered in the Quran, only under very specific and limited
conditions and it is nothing more than what we would today call "The War
on Terrorism." Fighting against all acts of organized aggression, oppression,
persecution and terrorism is an obligation on all believers. But it certainly
has limits and women, children, elderly and any innocents are not to killed
or injured during such occasions. Treatment of prisoners is not to be
humiliating or torture of any kind. Even the dead of the enemy are to be
buried with dignity and respect.
May Allah guide you on your journey to all truth. Ameen.

And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality
of this world and the purpose of this life, Ameen.
Peace to you and Guidance from Allah the One Almighty God, Creator and
Sustainer of all that exists.
Your friend,
Yusuf.Estes
6317.Edsall.Rd.
Alexandria,.VA.22312.
United States of America
[email protected] Tel: 001-703-354-5224

http://www.islamtomorrow.com/yusuf.htm
http://thetruereligion.org/modules/xfsection/
20
2- Abdullah M. al-Faruque Formerly Kenneth L. Jenkins,

minister and elder of the Pentecostal Church. (USA)
As a former minister and elder of the Christian church, it has become

incumbent upon me to enlighten those that continue to walk in darkness.
After embracing Islam, I felt a dire need to help those who have not yet been
blessed to experience the light of Islam.
I thank Almighty God, Allah, for having mercy upon me, causing me to
come to know the beauty of Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad and his
rightly guided followers. It is only by the mercy of Allah that we receive true
guidance and the ability to follow the straight path, which leads to success in
this life and the Hereafter.
Praise be to Allah for the kindness shown to me by Shaykh 'Abdullah bin
'Abdul-'Azeez bin Baz (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) upon my embracing
Islam. I cherish and will pass on the knowledge gained from each meeting
with him. There are many others who have helped me by means of
encouragement and knowledge. Sufficient it is to say that I thank Almighty
God, Allah, for each and every brother and sister that He has allowed to play
a role in my growth and development as a Muslim.
I pray that this short work will be of benefit to all. I hope that Christians will
find that there is yet I hope for the wayward conditions that prevail over the
bulk of Christendom. The answers to Christian problems are not to be found
with the Christians themselves, for they are, in most instances, the root of
their own problems. Rather, Islam is the solution to the problems plaguing
the world of Christianity, as well as the problems facing the so-called world
21
of religion as a whole. May Allah guide us all and reward us according to

the very best of our deeds and intentions.
As a young boy I was raised with a deep fear of God. Having been partially
raised by a grandmother who was a Pentecostal fundamentalist, the church
became an integral part of my life at a very early age. By the time I had
reached the age of six, I knew all too well the benefits awaiting me in
Heaven for being a good little boy and the punishment awaiting in Hell for
little boys who are naughty. I was taught by my grandmother that all liars
were doomed to go to the Hellfire, where they would burn forever and ever.
My mother worked two full-time jobs and continued to remind me of the
teachings given to me by her mother. Every Sunday we would go to church
dressed in all of our finery. My grandfather was our means of transportation.
Church would last for what seemed to me like hours. We would arrive at
around eleven in the morning and not leave until sometimes three in the
afternoon. Our Grand father was not a church goer, but he saw to it that my
family made it there every Sunday. Sometime later he suffered a stroke,
which left him partially paralyzed, and as a result, we were unable to attend
church on a regular basis. This period of time would be one of the most
crucial.stages.of.my.development.
Rededication
I was relieved, in a sense, at no longer being able to attend church, but I
would feel the urge to go on my own every now and then. At age sixteen I
began attending the church of a friend whose father was the pastor. It was a
small storefront building with only my friend's family, myself, and another
schoolmate as members. This went on for only several months before -the
church closed down. After graduating from high school and entering the
university I rediscovered my religious commitment and became fully
immersed in Pentecostal teachings. I was baptized and "filled with the Holy
Ghost," as the experience was then called. As a college student, I quickly
became the pride of the church. Everyone had high hopes for me, and I was
happy to once again be "on the road to salvation".
I attended church every time its doors would open. I studied the Bible for
days and weeks at a time. I attended lectures given by the Christian scholars
of my day, and I acknowledged my call to the ministry at the age of 20. I
began preaching and became well known very quickly. I was extremely
dogmatic and believed that no one could receive salvation unless they were
of my church group. I categorically condemned everyone who had not come
22
to know God the way I had come to know Him. I was taught that Jesus
Christ (peace be upon him) and God Almighty were one and the same thing.
I was taught that our church did not believe in the trinity but that Jesus
(peace be upon him) was indeed the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I tried to
make myself understand it even though I had to admit that I really did not
fully understand it. As far as I was concerned, it was the only doctrine that
made sense to me. I admired the holy dress of the women and the pious
behavior of the men. I enjoyed practicing a doctrine where women were
required to dress in garments covering themselves completely, not painting
their faces with makeup, and carrying themselves as true ambassadors of
Christ. I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had finally found
the true path to eternal bliss. I would debate with anyone from a different
church with different beliefs and would totally silence them with my
knowledge of the Bible. I memorized hundreds of Biblical passages, and this
became a trademark of my preaching. Yet, even though I felt assured of
being on the right path, a part of me was still searching. I felt that there was
an even higher truth to be attained.
I would meditate while alone and pray to God to lead me to the correct
religion and to forgive me if what I was doing was wrong. I had never had
any contact with Muslims. The only people I knew that claimed Islam as
their religion were the followers of Elijah Muhammad, who were referred to
by many as the "Black Muslims" or the "Lost-Found Nation." It was during
this period in the late seventies that Minister Louis Farrakhan was well into
rebuilding what was called "The Nation of Islam." I went to hear Minister
Farrakhan speak at the invitation of a coworker and found it to be an
experience that would change my life dramatically. I had never in my life
heard another black man speak the way that he spoke. I immediately wanted
to arrange a meeting with him to try to convert him to my religion. I enjoyed
evangelizing, hoping to find lost souls to save from the Hellfire - no matter
who they were.
After graduating from college I began to work on a full-time basis. As I was
reaching the pinnacle of my ministry, the followers of Elijah Muhammad
became more visible, and I appreciated their efforts in attempting to rid the
black community of the evils that were destroying it from within. I began to
support them, in a sense, by buying their literature and even meeting with
them for dialogue. I attended their study circles to find out exactly what they
believed. As sincere as I knew many of them were, I could not buy the idea
of God being a black man. I disagreed with their use of the Bible to support
their position on certain issues. Here was a book that I knew very well, and I
23
was deeply disturbed at what I deemed was their misinterpretation of it. I

had attended locally supported Bible schools and had become quite
knowledgeable in various fields of Bible study.
After about six years I moved to Texas and became affiliated with two
churches. The first church was led by a young pastor who was inexperienced
and not very learned. My knowledge of the Christian scriptures had by this
time developed into something abnormal. I was obsessed with Biblical
teachings. I began to look deeper into the scriptures and realized that I knew
more than the present leader. As a show of respect, I left and joined another
church in a different city where I felt that I could learn more. The pastor of
this particular church was very scholarly. He was an excellent teacher but
had some ideas that were not the norm in our church organization. He held
somewhat liberal views, but I still enjoyed his indoctrination. I was soon to
learn the most valuable lesson of my Christian life, which was "all that
glitters is not gold." Despite its outward appearance, there were evils taking
place that I never thought were possible in the Church. These evils caused
me to reflect deeply, and I began questioning the teaching to which I was so
dedicated.
Welcome to the Real Church World

I soon discovered that there was a great deal of jealousy prevalent in the
ministerial hierarchy. Things had changed from that to which I was
accustomed. Women wore clothing that I thought was shameful. People
dressed in order to attract attention, usually from the opposite sex. I
discovered just how great a part money and greed play in the operation of
church activities. There were many small churches struggling, and they
called upon us to hold meetings to help raise money for them. I was told that
if a church did not have a certain number of members, then I was not to
waste my time preaching there because I would not receive ample financial
compensation. I then explained that I was not in it for the money and that I
would preach even if there was only one member present... and I'd do it for
free! This caused a disturbance. I started questioning those whom I thought
had wisdom, only to find that they had been putting on a show. I learned that
money, power and position were more important than teaching the truth
about the Bible. As a Bible student, I knew full well that there were
mistakes, contradictions and fabrications. I thought that people should be
exposed to the truth about the Bible. The idea of exposing the people to such
aspects of the Bible was a thought supposedly attributable to Satan. But I
began to publicly ask my teachers questions during Bible classes, which
24
none of them could answer. Not a single one could explain how Jesus was
supposedly God, and how, at the same time, he was supposedly the Father,
Son and Holy Ghost wrapped up into one and yet was not a part of the
trinity. Several preachers finally had to concede that they did not understand
it but that we were simply required to believe it.
Cases of adultery and fornication went unpunished. Some preachers were
hooked on drugs and had destroyed their lives and the lives of their families.
Leaders of some churches were found to be homosexuals. There were
pastors even guilty of committing adultery with the young daughters of other
church members. All of this coupled with a failure to receive answers to
what I thought were valid questions was enough to make me seek a change.
That change came when I accepted a job in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A New Beginning
It was not long after arriving in Saudi Arabia that I saw an immediate
difference in the lifestyle of the Muslim people. They were different from
the followers of Elijah Muhammad and Minister Louis Farrakhan in that
they were of all nationalities, colors and languages. I immediately expressed
a desire to learn more about this peculiar brand of religion. I was amazed
with the life of Prophet Muhammad and wanted to know more. I requested
books from one of the brothers who was active in calling people to Islam. I
was supplied with all of the books that I could possibly want. I read each and
every one. I was then given the Holy Qur'an and read it completely several
times within four months. I asked question after question and received
satisfactory answers. What appealed to me was that the brothers were not
keen on impressing me with their knowledge. If a brother did not know how
to answer a question, he would tell me that he simply did not know and
would have to check with someone who did. The next day he would always
bring the answer. I noticed how humility played such a great role in the lives
of these mysterious people of the Middle East.
I was amazed to see the women covering themselves from face to foot. I did
not see any religious hierarchy. No one was competing for any religious
position. All of this was wonderful, but how could I entertain the thought of
abandoning a teaching that had followed me since childhood? What about
the Bible? I knew that there is some truth in it even though it had been
changed and revised countless numbers of times. I was then given a video
cassette of a debate between Shaykh Ahmed Deedat and Reverend Jimmy
Swaggart. After seeing the debate I immediately became a Muslim.
25
You can listen to the debate at this web

sitehttp://www.islam.org/audio/ra622_4.ram
You can download the books of

Shaykh Ahmed Deedat
From these web sites
www.ahmed-deedat.co.za & www.aljame3.com
I officially declared my acceptance of Islam. It was there that I was given
sound advice on how to prepare myself for the long journey ahead. It was
truly a birth from darkness into light. I wondered what my peers from the
Church would think when they heard that I had embraced Islam. It was not
long before I found out. I went back to the United States for vacation and
was severely criticized for my "lack of faith." I was stamped with many
labels - from renegade to reprobate. People were told by so-called church
leaders not to even remember me in prayer. As strange as it may seem, I was
not bothered in the least. I was so happy that Almighty God, Allah, had
chosen to guide me aright that nothing else mattered.
Now I only wanted to become as dedicated a Muslim as I was a Christian.
This, of course, meant study. I realized that a person could grow as much as
they wanted to in Islam. There is no monopoly of knowledge - it is free to all
who wish to avail themselves of the opportunities to learn. I was given a set
of Saheeh Muslim as a gift from my Qur'an teacher. It was then that I
realized the need to learn about the life, sayings and practices of Prophet
Muhammad . I read and studied as many of the hadith collections available
in English as possible. I realized that my knowledge of the Bible was an
asset that is now quite useful in dealing with those of Christian backgrounds.
Life for me has taken on an entirely new meaning. One of the most profound
attitude changes is a result of knowing that this life must actually be spent in
26
preparation for life in the Hereafter. It was also a new experience to know
that we are rewarded even for our intentions. If you intend to do good, then
you are rewarded. It was quite different in the Church. The attitude was that
"the path to Hell is paved with good intentions." There was no way to win. If
you sinned, then you had to confess to the pastor, especially if the sin was a
great sin, such as adultery. You were judged strictly by your actions.
The Present and Future
After an interview by the Al-Madinah newspaper I was asked about my
present-day activities and plans for the future. At present, my goal is to learn
Arabic and continue studying to gain greater knowledge about Islam. I am
presently engaged in the field of da'wah and am called upon to lecture to
non-Muslims who come from Christian backgrounds. If Allah, Almighty,
spares my life, I hope to write more on the subject of comparative religion.
It is the duty of Muslims throughout the world to work to spread the
knowledge of Islam. As one who has spent such a long time as a Bible
teacher, I feel a special sense of duty in educating people about the errors,
contradictions and fabricated tales of a book believed in by millions of
people. One of the greatest joys is knowing that I do not have to engage in a
great deal of dispute with Christians, because I was a teacher who taught
most of the dispute techniques used by them. I also learned how to argue
using the Bible to defend Christianity. And at the same time I know the
counter arguments for each argument which we, as ministers, were
forbidden by our leaders to discuss or divulge.
It is my prayer that Allah will forgive us all of our ignorance and guide us to
the path leading to Paradise. All praise is due to Allah. May the peace and
blessings of Allah be upon His last messenger, Prophet Muhammad, his
family, companions, and those following true guidance.
Abdullah Muhammad al-Faruque (Kenneth L. Jenkins) At-Ta'if, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
27
3- Dr. Jerald F. Dirks (Abu Yahya) Former minister

(deacon) of the United Methodist Church. He holds
Master's degree in Divinity from Harvard University and a
Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Denver.
(USA)
28
One of my earliest childhood memories is of hearing the church bell toll for
Sunday morning worship in the small, rural town in which I was raised. The
Methodist Church was an old, wooden structure with a bell tower, two
children’s Sunday School classrooms cubby holed behind folding, wooden
doors to separate it from the sanctuary, and a choir loft that housed the
Sunday school classrooms for the older children. It stood less than two
blocks from my home. As the bell rang, we would come together as a
family, and make our weekly pilgrimage to the church.
In that rural setting from the 1950s, the three churches in the town of about
500 were the center of community life. The local Methodist Church, to
which my family belonged, sponsored ice cream socials with hand-cranked,
homemade ice cream, chicken potpie dinners, and corn roasts. My family
and I were always involved in all three, but each came only once a year. In
addition, there was a two-week community Bible school every June, and I
was a regular attendee through my eighth grade year in school. However,
Sunday morning worship and Sunday school were weekly events, and I
strove to keep extending my collection of perfect attendance pins and of
awards for memorizing Bible verses.
By my junior high school days, the local Methodist Church had closed, and
we were attending the Methodist Church in the neighboring town, which
was only slightly larger than the town in which I lived. There, my thoughts
first began to focus on the ministry as a personal calling. I became active in
the Methodist Youth Fellowship, and eventually served as both a district and
a conference officer. I also became the regular “preacher” during the annual
Youth Sunday service. My preaching began to draw community-wide
attention, and before long I was occasionally filling pulpits at other
churches, at a nursing home, and at various church-affiliated youth and
ladies groups, where I typically set attendance records.
By age 17, when I began my freshman year at Harvard College, my decision
to enter the ministry had solidified. During my freshman year, I enrolled in a
two-semester course in comparative religion, which was taught by Wilfred
Cantwell Smith, whose specific area of expertise was Islam. During that
course, I gave far less attention to Islam, than I did to other religions, such as
Hinduism and Buddhism, as the latter two seemed so much more esoteric
and strange to me. In contrast, Islam appeared to be somewhat similar to my
own Christianity. As such, I didn’t concentrate on it as much as I probably
should have, although I can remember writing a term paper for the course on
the concept of revelation in the Qur’an. Nonetheless, as the course was one
of rigorous academic standards and demands, I did acquire a small library of
29
about a half dozen books on Islam, all of which were written by non-
Muslims, and all of which were to serve me in good stead 25 years later. I
also acquired two different English translations of the meaning of the
Qur’an, which I read at the time.
That spring, Harvard named me a Hollis Scholar, signifying that I was one
of the top pre-theology students in the college. The summer between my
freshman and sophomore years at Harvard, I worked as a youth minister at a
fairly large United Methodist Church. The following summer, I obtained my
License to Preach from the United Methodist Church. Upon graduating from
Harvard College in 1971, I enrolled at the Harvard Divinity School, and
there obtained my Master of Divinity degree in 1974, having been
previously ordained into the Deaconate of the United Methodist Church in
1972, and having previously received a Stewart Scholarship from the United
Methodist Church as a supplement to my Harvard Divinity School
scholarships. During my seminary education, I also completed a two-year
externship program as a hospital chaplain at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in
Boston. Following graduation from Harvard Divinity School, I spent the
summer as the minister of two United Methodist churches in rural Kansas,
where attendance soared to heights not seen in those churches for several
years.
Seen from the outside, I was a very promising young minister, who had
received an excellent education, drew large crowds to the Sunday morning
worship service, and had been successful at every stop along the ministerial
path. However, seen from the inside, I was fighting a constant war to
maintain my personal integrity in the face of my ministerial responsibilities.
This war was far removed from the ones presumably fought by some later
televangelists in unsuccessfully trying to maintain personal sexual morality.
Likewise, it was a far different war than those fought by the headline-
grabbing pedophilic priests of the current moment. However, my struggle to
maintain personal integrity may be the most common one encountered by
the better-educated members of the ministry.
There is some irony in the fact that the supposedly best, brightest, and most
idealistic of ministers-to-be are selected for the very best of seminary
education, e.g. that offered at that time at the Harvard Divinity School. The
irony is that, given such an education, the seminarian is exposed to as much
of the actual historical truth as is known about : 1) the formation of the early,
“mainstream” church, and how it was shaped by geopolitical considerations;
2) the “original” reading of various Biblical texts, many of which are in
sharp contrast to what most Christians read when they pick up their Bible,
30
although gradually some of this information is being incorporated into newer

and better translations; 3) the evolution of such concepts as a triune godhead
and the “sonship” of Jesus, peace be upon him; 4) the non-religious
considerations that underlie many Christian creeds and doctrines; 5) the
existence of those early churches and Christian movements which never
accepted the concept of a triune godhead, and which never accepted the
concept of the divinity of Jesus, peace be upon him; and 6) etc. (Some of
these fruits of my seminary education are recounted in more detail in my
recent book, The Cross and the Crescent: An Interfaith Dialogue
between Christianity and Islam, Amana Publications, 2001.)
As such, it is no real wonder that almost a majority of such seminary
graduates leave seminary, not to “fill pulpits”, where they would be asked to
preach that which they know is not true, but to enter the various counseling
professions. Such was also the case for me, as I went on to earn a master’s
and doctorate in clinical psychology. I continued to call myself a Christian,
because that was a needed bit of self-identity, and because I was, after all, an
ordained minister, even though my full time job was as a mental health
professional. However, my seminary education had taken care of any belief I
might have had regarding a triune godhead or the divinity of Jesus, peace be
upon him. (Polls regularly reveal that ministers are less likely to believe
these and other dogmas of the church than are the laity they serve, with
ministers more likely to understand such terms as “son of God”
metaphorically, while their parishioners understand it literally.) I thus
became a “Christmas and Easter Christian”, attending church very
sporadically, and then gritting my teeth and biting my tongue as I listened to
sermons espousing that which I knew was not the case.
None of the above should be taken to imply that I was any less religious or
spiritually oriented than I had once been. I prayed regularly, my belief in a
supreme deity remained solid and secure, and I conducted my personal life
in line with the ethics I had once been taught in church and Sunday school. I
simply knew better than to buy into the man-made dogmas and articles of
faith of the organized church, which were so heavily laden with the pagan
influences, polytheistic notions, and geo-political considerations of a bygone
era.
As the years passed by, I became increasingly concerned about the loss of
religiousness in American society at large. Religiousness is a living,
breathing spirituality and morality within individuals, and should not be
confused with religiosity, which is concerned with the rites, rituals, and
formalized creeds of some organized entity, e.g. the church. American
31
culture increasingly appeared to have lost its moral and religious compass.
Two out of every three marriages ended in divorce; violence was becoming
an increasingly inherent part of our schools and our roads; self-responsibility
was on the wane; self-discipline was being submerged by a “if it feels good,
do it” morality; various Christian leaders and institutions were being
swamped by sexual and financial scandals; and emotions justified behavior,
however odious it might be.
American culture was becoming a morally bankrupt institution, and I was

feeling quite alone in my personal religious vigil.
It was at this juncture that I began to come into contact with the local
Muslim community. For some years before, my wife and I had been actively
involved in doing research on the history of the Arabian horse. Eventually,
in order to secure translations of various Arabic documents, this research
brought us into contact with Arab Americans who happened to be Muslims.
Our first such contact was with Jamal in the summer of 1991.
After an initial telephone conversation, Jamal visited our home, and offered
to do some translations for us, and to help guide us through the history of the
Arabian horse in the Middle East. Before Jamal left that afternoon, he asked
if he might: use our bathroom to wash before saying his scheduled prayers;
and borrow a piece of newspaper to use as a prayer rug, so he could say his
scheduled prayers before leaving our house. We, of course, obliged, but
wondered if there was something more appropriate that we could give him to
use than a newspaper. Without our ever realizing it at the time, Jamal was
practicing a very beautiful form of Dawa (preaching or exhortation). He
made no comment about the fact that we were not Muslims, and he didn’t
preach anything to us about his religious beliefs. He “merely” presented us
with his example, an example that spoke volumes, if one were willing to be
receptive to the lesson.
Over the next 16 months, contact with Jamal slowly increased in frequency,
until it was occurring on a biweekly to weekly basis. During these visits,
Jamal never preached to me about Islam, never questioned me about my own
religious beliefs or convictions, and never verbally suggested that I become
a Muslim. However, I was beginning to learn a lot. First, there was the
constant behavioral example of Jamal observing his scheduled prayers.
Second, there was the behavioral example of how Jamal conducted his daily
life in a highly moral and ethical manner, both in his business world and in
his social world. Third, there was the behavioral example of how Jamal
32
interacted with his two children. For my wife, Jamal’s wife provided a
similar example. Fourth, always within the framework of helping me to
understand Arabian horse history in the Middle East, Jamal began to share
with me: 1) stories from Arab and Islamic history; 2) sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad, peace be upon him; and 3) Qur’anic verses and their contextual
meaning. In point of fact, our every visit now included at least a 30 minute
conversation centered on some aspect of Islam, but always presented in
terms of helping me intellectually understand the Islamic context of Arabian
horse history. I was never told “this is the way things are”, I was merely told
“this is what Muslims typically believe”. Since I wasn’t being “preached to”,
and since Jamal never inquired as to my own beliefs, I didn’t need to bother
attempting to justify my own position. It was all handled as an intellectual
exercise, not as proselytizing.
Gradually, Jamal began to introduce us to other Arab families in the local
Muslim community. There was Wa’el and his family, Khalid and his family,
and a few others. Consistently, I observed individuals and families who were
living their lives on a much higher ethical plane than the American society in
which we were all embedded. Maybe there was something to the practice of
Islam that I had missed during my collegiate and seminary days.
By December, 1992, I was beginning to ask myself some serious questions
about where I was and what I was doing. These questions were prompted by
the following considerations. 1) Over the course of the prior 16 months, our
social life had become increasingly centered on the Arab component of the
local Muslim community. By December, probably 75% of our social life
was being spent with Arab Muslims. 2) By virtue of my seminary training
and education, I knew how badly the Bible had been corrupted (and often
knew exactly when, where, and why), I had no belief in any triune godhead,
and I had no belief in anything more than a metaphorical “son ship” of Jesus,
peace be upon him. In short, while I certainly believed in God, I was as strict
a monotheist as my Muslim friends. 3) My personal values and sense of
morality were much more in keeping with my Muslim friends than with the
“Christian” society around me. After all, I had the non-confrontational
examples of Jamal, Khalid, and Wa’el as illustrations. In short, my nostalgic
yearning for the type of community in which I had been raised was finding
gratification in the Muslim community. American society might be morally
bankrupt, but that did not appear to be the case for that part of the Muslim
community with which I had had contact. Marriages were stable, spouses
were committed to each other, and honesty, integrity, self-responsibility, and
family values were emphasized. My wife and I had attempted to live our
33
lives that same way, but for several years I had felt that we were doing so in
the context of a moral vacuum. The Muslim community appeared to be
different. The different threads were being woven together into a single
strand. Arabian horses, my childhood upbringing, my foray into the
Christian ministry and my seminary education, my nostalgic yearnings for a
moral society, and my contact with the Muslim community were becoming
intricately intertwined. My self-questioning came to a head when I finally
got around to asking myself exactly what separated me from the beliefs of
my Muslim friends. I suppose that I could have raised that question with
Jamal or with Khalid, but I wasn’t ready to take that step. I had never
discussed my own religious beliefs with them, and I didn’t think that I
wanted to introduce that topic of conversation into our friendship. As such, I
began to pull off the bookshelf all the books on Islam that I had acquired in
my collegiate and seminary days. However far my own beliefs were from
the traditional position of the church, and however seldom I actually
attended church, I still identified myself as being a Christian, and so I turned
to the works of Western scholars. That month of December, I read half a
dozen or so books on Islam by Western scholars, including one biography of
the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Further, I began to read two
different English translations of the meaning of the Qur’an. I never spoke to
my Muslim friends about this personal quest of self-discovery. I never
mentioned what types of books I was reading, nor ever spoke about why I
was reading these books. However, occasionally I would run a very
circumscribed question past one of them.
While I never spoke to my Muslim friends about those books, my wife and I
had numerous conversations about what I was reading. By the last week of
December of 1992, I was forced to admit to myself, that I could find no area
of substantial disagreement between my own religious beliefs and the
general tenets of Islam. While I was ready to acknowledge that Muhammad,
peace be upon him, was a prophet of (one who spoke for or under the
inspiration of) God, and while I had absolutely no difficulty affirming that
there was no god besides God/Allah, glorified and exalted is He, I was still
hesitating to make any decision. I could readily admit to myself that I had far
more in common with Islamic beliefs as I then understood them, than I did
with the traditional Christianity of the organized church. I knew only too
well that I could easily confirm from my seminary training and education
most of what the Qur’an had to say about Christianity, the Bible, and Jesus,
peace be upon him. Nonetheless, I hesitated. Further, I rationalized my
hesitation by maintaining to myself that I really didn’t know the nitty-gritty
34
details of Islam, and that my areas of agreement were confined to general

concepts. As such, I continued to read, and then to re-read.
One’s sense of identity, of who one is, is a powerful affirmation of one’s
own position in the cosmos. In my professional practice, I had occasionally
been called upon to treat certain addictive disorders, ranging from smoking,
to alcoholism, to drug abuse. As a clinician, I knew that the basic physical
addiction had to be overcome to create the initial abstinence. That was the
easy part of treatment. As Mark Twain once said: “Quitting smoking is easy;
I’ve done it hundreds of times”. However, I also knew that the key to
maintaining that abstinence over an extended time period was overcoming
the client’s psychological addiction, which was heavily grounded in the
client’s basic sense of identity, i.e. the client identified to himself that he was
“a smoker”, or that he was “a drinker”, etc. The addictive behavior had
become part and parcel of the client’s basic sense of identity, of the client’s
basic sense of self. Changing this sense of identity was crucial to the
maintenance of the psychotherapeutic “cure”. This was the difficult part of
treatment. Changing one’s basic sense of identity is a most difficult task.
One’s psyche tends to cling to the old and familiar, which seem more
psychologically comfortable and secure than the new and unfamiliar.
On a professional basis, I had the above knowledge, and used it on a daily
basis. However, ironically enough, I was not yet ready to apply it to myself,
and to the issue of my own hesitation surrounding my religious identity. For
43 years, my religious identity had been neatly labeled as “Christian”,
however many qualifications I might have added to that term over the years.
Giving up that label of personal identity was no easy task. It was part and
parcel of how I defined my very being. Given the benefit of hindsight, it is
clear that my hesitation served the purpose of insuring that I could keep my
familiar religious identity of being a Christian, although a Christian who
believed like a Muslim believed.
It was now the very end of December, and my wife and I were filling out our
application forms for U.S. passports, so that a proposed Middle Eastern
journey could become a reality. One of the questions had to do with
religious affiliation. I didn’t even think about it, and automatically fell back
on the old and familiar, as I penned in “Christian”. It was easy, it was
familiar, and it was comfortable.
However, that comfort was momentarily disrupted when my wife asked me
how I had answered the question on religious identity on the application
form. I immediately replied, “Christian”, and chuckled audibly. Now, one of
Freud’s contributions to the understanding of the human psyche was his
35
realization that laughter is often a release of psychological tension. However

wrong Freud may have been in many aspects of his theory of psychosexual
development, his insights into laughter were quite on target. I had laughed!
What was this psychological tension that I had need to release through the
medium of laughter?
I then hurriedly went on to offer my wife a brief affirmation that I was a
Christian, not a Muslim. In response to which, she politely informed me that
she was merely asking whether I had written “Christian”, or “Protestant”, or
“Methodist”. On a professional basis, I knew that a person does not defend
himself against an accusation that hasn’t been made. (If, in the course of a
session of psychotherapy, my client blurted out, “I’m not angry about that”,
and I hadn’t even broached the topic of anger, it was clear that my client was
feeling the need to defend himself against a charge that his own unconscious
was making. In short, he really was angry, but he wasn’t ready to admit it or
to deal with it.) If my wife hadn’t made the accusation, i.e. “you are a
Muslim”, then the accusation had to have come from my own unconscious,
as I was the only other person present. I was aware of this, but still I
hesitated. The religious label that had been stuck to my sense of identity for
43 years was not going to come off easily.
About a month had gone by since my wife’s question to me. It was now late
in January of 1993. I had set aside all the books on Islam by the Western
scholars, as I had read them all thoroughly. The two English translations of
the meaning of the Qur’an were back on the bookshelf, and I was busy
reading yet a third English translation of the meaning of the Qur’an. Maybe
in this translation I would find some sudden justification for…
I was taking my lunch hour from my private practice at a local Arab
restaurant that I had started to frequent. I entered as usual, seated myself at a
small table, and opened my third English translation of the meaning of the
Qur’an to where I had left off in my reading. I figured I might as well get
some reading done over my lunch hour. Moments later, I became aware that
Mahmoud was at my shoulder, and waiting to take my order. He glanced at
what I was reading, but said nothing about it. My order taken, I returned to
the solitude of my reading.
A few minutes later, Mahmoud’s wife, Iman, an American Muslim, who
wore the Hijab (scarf) and modest dress that I had come to associate with
female Muslims, brought me my order. She commented that I was reading
the Qur’an, and politely asked if I were a Muslim. The word was out of my
mouth before it could be modified by any social etiquette or politeness:
“No!” That single word was said forcefully, and with more than a hint of
36
irritability. With that, Iman politely retired from my table.

What was happening to me? I had behaved rudely and somewhat
aggressively. What had this woman done to deserve such behavior from me?
This wasn’t like me. Given my childhood upbringing, I still used “sir” and
“ma’am” when addressing clerks and cashiers who were waiting on me in
stores. I could pretend to ignore my own laughter as a release of tension, but
I couldn’t begin to ignore this sort of unconscionable behavior from myself.
My reading was set aside, and I mentally stewed over this turn of events
throughout my meal. The more I stewed, the guiltier I felt about my
behavior. I knew that when Iman brought me my check at the end of the
meal, I was going to need to make some amends. If for no other reason,
simple politeness demanded it. Furthermore, I was really quite disturbed
about how resistant I had been to her innocuous question. What was going
on in me that I responded with that much force to such a simple and
straightforward question? Why did that one, simple question lead to such
atypical behavior on my part?
Later, when Iman came with my check, I attempted a round-about apology
by saying: “I’m afraid I was a little abrupt in answering your question
before. If you were asking me whether I believe that there is only one God,
then my answer is yes. If you were asking me whether I believe that
Muhammad was one of the prophets of that one God, then my answer is
yes.” She very nicely and very supportively said: “That’s okay; it takes some
people a little longer than others.”
Perhaps, the readers of this will be kind enough to note the psychological
games I was playing with myself without chuckling too hard at my mental
gymnastics and behavior. I well knew that in my own way, using my own
words, I had just said the Shahadah, the Islamic testimonial of faith, i.e. “I
testify that there is no god but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the
messenger of Allah”. However, having said that, and having recognized
what I said, I could still cling to my old and familiar label of religious
identity. After all, I hadn’t said I was a Muslim. I was simply a Christian,
albeit an atypical Christian, who was willing to say that there was one God,
not a triune godhead, and who was willing to say that Muhammad was one
of the prophets inspired by that one God. If a Muslim wanted to accept me
as being a Muslim that was his or her business, and his or her label of
religious identity. However, it was not mine. I thought I had found my way
out of my crisis of religious identity. I was a Christian, who would carefully
explain that I agreed with, and was willing to testify to, the Islamic
37
testimonial of faith. Having made my tortured explanation, and having

parsed the English language to within an inch of its life, others could hang
whatever label on me they wished. It was their label, and not mine.
It was now March of 1993, and my wife and I were enjoying a five-week
vacation in the Middle East. It was also the Islamic month of Ramadan,
when Muslims fast from day break until sunset. Because we were so often
staying with or being escorted around by family members of our Muslim
friends back in the States, my wife and I had decided that we also would
fast, if for no other reason than common courtesy. During this time, I had
also started to perform the five daily prayers of Islam with my newfound,
Middle Eastern, Muslim friends. After all, there was nothing in those prayers
with which I could disagree.
I was a Christian, or so I said. After all, I had been born into a Christian
family, had been given a Christian upbringing, had attended church and
Sunday school every Sunday as a child, had graduated from a prestigious
seminary, and was an ordained minister in a large Protestant denomination.
However, I was also a Christian: who didn’t believe in a triune godhead or in
the divinity of Jesus, peace be upon him; who knew quite well how the Bible
had been corrupted; who had said the Islamic testimony of faith in my own
carefully parsed words; who had fasted during Ramadan; who was saying
Islamic prayers five times a day; and who was deeply impressed by the
behavioral examples I had witnessed in the Muslim community, both in
America and in the Middle East. (Time and space do not permit me the
luxury of documenting in detail all of the examples of personal morality and
ethics I encountered in the Middle East.) If asked if I were a Muslim, I could
and did do a five-minute monologue detailing the above, and basically
leaving the question unanswered. I was playing intellectual word games, and
succeeding at them quite nicely.
It was now late in our Middle Eastern trip. An elderly friend who spoke no
English and I were walking down a winding, little road, somewhere in one
of the economically disadvantaged areas of greater ‘Amman, Jordan. As we
walked, an elderly man approached us from the opposite direction, said,
“Salam ‘Alaykum”, i.e., “peace be upon you”, and offered to shake hands.
We were the only three people there. I didn’t speak Arabic, and neither my
friend nor the stranger spoke English. Looking at me, the stranger asked,
“Muslim?”
At that precise moment in time, I was fully and completely trapped. There
were no intellectual word games to be played, because I could only
communicate in English, and they could only communicate in Arabic. There
38
was no translator present to bail me out of this situation, and to allow me to

hide behind my carefully prepared English monologue. I couldn’t pretend I
didn’t understand the question, because it was all too obvious that I had. My
choices were suddenly, unpredictably, and inexplicably reduced to just two:
I could say “N’am”, i.e., “yes”; or I could say “La”, i.e., “no”. The choice
was mine, and I had no other. I had to choose, and I had to choose now; it
was just that simple. Praise be to Allah, I answered, “N’am”.
With saying that one word, all the intellectual word games were now behind
me. With the intellectual word games behind me, the psychological games
regarding my religious identity were also behind me. I wasn’t some strange,
atypical Christian. I was a Muslim. Praise be to Allah, my wife of 33 years
also became a Muslim about that same time.
Not too many months after our return to America from the Middle East, a
neighbor invited us over to his house, saying that he wanted to talk with us
about our conversion to Islam. He was a retired Methodist minister, with
whom I had had several conversations in the past. Although we had
occasionally talked superficially about such issues as the artificial
construction of the Bible from various, earlier, independent sources, we had
never had any in-depth conversation about religion. I knew only that he
appeared to have acquired a solid seminary education, and that he sang in
the local church choir every Sunday.
My initial reaction was, “Oh, oh, here it comes”. Nonetheless, it is a
Muslim’s duty to be a good neighbor, and it is a Muslim’s duty to be willing
to discuss Islam with others. As such, I accepted the invitation for the
following evening, and spent most of the waking part of the next 24 hours
contemplating how best to approach this gentleman in his requested topic of
conversation. The appointed time came, and we drove over to our
neighbor’s. After a few moments of small talk, he finally asked why I had
decided to become a Muslim. I had waited for this question, and had my
answer carefully prepared. “As you know with your seminary education,
there were a lot of non-religious considerations which led up to and shaped
the decisions of the Council of Nicaea.” He immediately cut me off with a
simple statement: “You finally couldn’t stomach the polytheism anymore,
could you?” He knew exactly why I was a Muslim, and he didn’t disagree
with my decision! For himself, at his age and at his place in life, he was
electing to be “an atypical Christian”. Allah willing, he has by now
completed his journey from cross to crescent.
39
There are sacrifices to be made in being a Muslim in America. For that

matter, there are sacrifices to be made in being a Muslim anywhere.
However, those sacrifices may be more acutely felt in America, especially
among American converts. Some of those sacrifices are very predictable,
and include altered dress and abstinence from alcohol, pork, and the taking
of interest on one’s money.
Some of those sacrifices are less predictable. For example, one Christian
family, with whom we were close friends, informed us that they could no
longer associate with us, as they could not associate with anyone “who does
not take Jesus Christ as his personal savior”. In addition, quite a few of my
professional colleagues altered their manner of relating to me. Whether it
was coincidence or not, my professional referral base dwindled, and there
was almost a 30% drop in income as a result. Some of these less predictable
sacrifices were hard to accept, although the sacrifices were a small price to
pay for what was received in return.
For those contemplating the acceptance of Islam and the surrendering of

oneself to Allah—glorified and exalted is He, there may well be sacrifices
along the way. Many of these sacrifices are easily predicted, while others
may be rather surprising and unexpected. There is no denying the existence
of these sacrifices, and I don’t intend to sugar coat that pill for you.
Nonetheless, don’t be overly troubled by these sacrifices. In the final
analysis, these sacrifices are less important than you presently think. Allah
willing, you will find these sacrifices a very cheap coin to pay for the
“goods” you are purchasing.
40
41
4-Sister Khadijah "Sue" Watson Former pastor, missionary,

professor. Master's degree in Divinity. (USA –Philippines).
“What happened to you?” This was usually the first reaction I encountered
when my former classmates, friends and co-pastors saw me after having
embraced Islam. I suppose I couldn’t blame them, I was a highly unlikely
the person to change religions. Formerly, I was a professor, pastor, church
planter and missionary. If anyone was a radical fundamentalist it was I.
I had just graduated with my Master’s Degree of Divinity from an elite
seminary five months before. It was after that time I met a lady who had
worked in Saudi Arabia and had embraced Islam. Of course I asked her
about the treatment of women in Islam. I was shocked at her answer, it
wasn’t what I expected so I proceeded to ask other questions relating to
Allah and Muhammad peace be upon him (PBUH)1. She informed me that
she would take me to the Islamic Center where they would be better able to
answer my questions.
[
Being prayed up, meaning-asking Jesus for protection against demon spirits
seeing that what we had been taught about Islam is that it is Demonic and
Satanic religion. Having taught Evangelism I was quite shocked at their
approach, it was direct and straightforward. No intimidation, no harassment,
no psychological manipulation, no subliminal influence! None of this, “let’s
have a Qur’anic study in your house”, like a counter part of the Bible study.
I couldn’t believe it! They gave me some books and told me if I had some
questions they were available to answer them in the office. That night I read
all of the books they gave. It was the first time I had ever read a book about
Islam written by a Muslim, we had studied and read books about Islam only
written by Christians. The next day I spent three hours at the office asking
questions. This went on everyday for a week, by which time I had read
twelve books and knew why Muslims are the hardest people in the world to
convert to Christianity. Why? Because there is nothing to offer them!! (In
Islam) There is a relationship with Allah, forgiveness of sins, salvation and
promise of Eternal Life.
Naturally, my first question centered on the deity of Allah. Who is this Allah
that the Muslims worship? We had been taught as Christians that this is
another god, a false god. When in fact He is the Omniscient-All Knowing,
1
PBUH: Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him.
42
Omnipotent-All Powerful, and Omnipresent-All Present God. The One and

Only without co-partners or co-equal. It is interesting to note that there were
bishops during the first three hundred years of the Church that were teaching
as the Muslims that Jesus (peace be upon him) was a prophet and not son of
God !! It was only after the conversion of Emperor Constantine that he was
the one to call and introduce the doctrine of the Trinity. He a convert to
Christianity who knew nothing of this religion introduced a paganistic
concept that goes back to Babylonian times. Because the space does not
permit me to go into detail about the subject insha’Allah, another time. Only
I must point out that the word TRINITY is not found in the Bible in any of
its many translation nor is it found in the original Greek or Hebrew
languages!
My other important question centered on Muhammad (PBUH). Who is this
Muhammad? I found out that Muslims do not pray to him like the Christians
pray to Jesus. He is not an intermediary and in fact it is forbidden to pray to
him. We ask blessing upon him at the end of our prayer but likewise we ask
blessings on Abraham. He is a Prophet and a Messenger, the final and last
Prophet. In fact, until now, one thousand four hundred and eighteen years
(1,418) later there has been no prophet after him. His message is for All
Mankind as opposed to the message of Jesus or Moses (peace be upon them
both) which was sent to the Jews. “Hear O Israel” But the message is the
same message of Allah. “The Lord Your God is One God and you shall have
no other gods before Me.”(Mark 12:29).
Because prayer was a very important part of my Christian life I was both
interested and curious to know what the Muslims were praying. As
Christians we were as ignorant on this aspect of Muslim belief as on the
other aspects. We thought and were taught, that the Muslims were bowing
down to the Ka’bah (in Mecca), that was there god and center point of this
false deity. Again, I was shocked to learn that the manner of prayer is
prescribed by God, Himself. The words of the prayer are one of praise and
exaltation. The approach to prayer (ablution or washing) in cleanliness is
under the direction of Allah. He is a Holy God and it is not for us to
approach Him in an arbitrary manner but only reasonable that He should tell
us how we should approach Him.
At the end of that week after having spent eight (8) years of formal
theological studies I knew cognitively (head knowledge) that Islam was true.
But I did not embrace Islam at that time because I did not believe it in my
heart. I continued to pray, to read the Bible, to attend lectures at the Islamic
43
Center. I was in earnest asking and seeking God’s direction. It is not easy to
change your religion. I did not want to loose my salvation if there was
salvation to loose. I continued to be shocked and amazed at what I was
learning because it was not what I was taught that Islam believed. In my
Master’s level, the professor I had was respected as an authority on Islam yet
his teaching and that of Christianity in general is full of Misunderstanding.
He and many Christians like him are sincere but they are sincerely wrong.
Two months later after having once again prayed seeking God’s direction, I
felt something drop into my being! I sat up, and it was the first time I was to
use the name of Allah, and I said, “Allah, I believe you are the One and Only
True God.” There was peace that descended upon me and from that day four
years ago until now I have never regretted embracing Islam. This decision
did not come without trial. I was fired from my job as I was teaching in two
Bible Colleges at that time, ostracized by my former classmates, professors
and co-pastors, disowned by my husband’s family, misunderstood by my
adult children and made a suspicion by my own government. Without the
faith that enables man to stand up to Satanic forces I would not have been
able to withstand all of this. I am ever so grateful to Allah that I am a
Muslim and may I live and die a Muslim.
“Truly, my prayer, my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for
God the Cherisher of the Worlds. No partner has He, this I am commanded.
And I am the first of those who bow to Allah in Islam.”
(Noble.Qur’aan.6:162-163)
Sister Khadijah Watson is working as a teacher for women in one of the
Da'wah (Invitation to Islam) Centers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudia Arabia
44
5-Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed (Ibrahim Khalil Philobus) Former

Coptic priest and missionary (Egypt).
Al-Hajj Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad, formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, was an

Egyptian Coptic priest who studied theology and got a high degree from
Princeton University. He studied Islam to find gaps to attack it; instead he
embraced Islam with his four children, one of whom is now a brilliant
professor in Sorbonne University, Paris France. In an interesting way, he
reveals himself saying: "I was born in Alexandria on the 13th of January
1919 and was sent to the American Mission schools until I got my secondary
education certificate there. In 1942 I got my diploma from Asiout University
and then I specialized in religious studies as a prelude to join the Faculty of
Theology. It was no easy task to join the faculty, as no candidate could join
it unless he got a special recommendation from the church, and also, after he
should pass a number of difficult exams. I got a recommendation from Al-
Attareen Church in Alexandria and another from the Church Assembly of
Lower Egypt after passing many tests to know my qualifications to become
a man of religion. Then I got a third recommendation from Snodus Church
Assembly which included priests from Sudan and Egypt.
The Snodus sanctioned my entrance into the Faculty of Theology in 1944 as
a boarding student. There I studied at the hands of American and Egyptian
teachers until my graduation in 1948.
I was supposed, he continued, to be appointed in Jerusalem had it not been
for the war that broke out in Palestine that same year, so I was sent to Esna
in Upper Egypt. That same year I registered for a thesis at the American
University in Cairo. It was about the missionary activities among Muslims.
My acquaintance with Islam started in the Faculty of Theology where I
studied Islam and all the methods through which we could shake the faith of
Muslims and raise misconceptions in their understanding of their own
religion.
45
In 1952 I got my M.A. from Princeton University in U.S.A. and was

appointed as a teacher in the Faculty of Theology in Asiout. I used to teach
Islam in the faculty as well as the faulty misconceptions spread by its
enemies and the missionaries against it. During that period I decided to
enlarge my study of Islam, so that I should not read the missionaries books
on it only. I had so much faith in myself that I was confirmed to read the
other point of view. Thus I began to read books written by Muslim authors. I
also decided to read the Quran and understand its meanings. This was
implied by my love of knowledge and moved by my desire to add more
proofs against Islam. The result was, however, exactly the reverse. My
position began to shake and I started to feel an internal strong struggle and I
discovered the falsehood of everything I had studied and preached to the
people. But I could not face myself bravely and tried instead to overcome
this internal crisis and continue my work.
In 1954, Mr. Khalil added, I was sent to Aswan as secretary general of the
German Swiss Mission. That was only my apparent position for my real
mission was to preach against Islam in Upper Egypt especially among
Muslims. A missionary conference was held at that time at Cataract Hotel in
Aswan and I was given the floor to speak. That day I spoke too much,
reiterating all the repeated misconceptions against Islam; and at the end of
my speech, the internal crisis came to me again and I started to revise my
position.
Continuing his talk about the said crisis, Mr. Khalil said, “I began to ask
myself: Why should I say and do all these things which I know for sure I am
a liar, as this is not the truth? I took my leave before the end of the
conference and went out alone to my house. I was completely shaken. As I
walked through Firyal public garden, I heard a verse of the Quran on the
radio. It said: ‘Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns
listened (to the Quran). They said: We have really heard a wonderful recital!
It gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: We shall not
join (in worship) any gods with our Lord.’ (Quran S72v1-2) ‘And as for us,
since we have listened to the Guidance, we have accepted it: and any one
who believes in His Lord, has no fear of either a short (account) or of any
injustice.’ (Quran S.72 V.13)
I felt a deep comfort that night and when I returned home I spent the whole
night all by myself in my library reading the Quran. My wife inquired from
me about the reason of my sitting up all night and I pleaded from her to
leave me alone. I stopped for a long time thinking and meditating on the
verse; ‘Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, verily thou wouldst
46
have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah.’ (S.59 V.21)
And the verse: ‘Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou
find the Jews and the Pagans, and nearest among them in love to the
believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": Because
amongst these are men devoted to learning. And men who have renounced
the world, and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the revelation
received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears,
for they recognize the truth: They pray: "Our Lord! We believe, write us
down among the witnesses. What cause can we have not to believe in Allah
and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to
admit us to the company of the righteous?’ (Quran S.5 V.82-84)
Mr. Khalil then quoted a third quotation from the Holy Quran which says:
‘Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find
mentioned in their own (Scriptures), in the Taurat and in the Gospel; for he
commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them
as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them what is bad (and
impure): He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that
are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him and
follow the light which is sent down with him, it is they who will prosper.
Say: O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom
belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: It
is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger.
The unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His Words: follow Him
that (so) you may be guided.’ (Quran S.7 V.157- 158)
Now that same night, Mr. Khalil dramatically concluded: “I took my final
decision. In the morning I spoke with my wife from whom I have three sons
and one daughter. But no sooner than she felt that I was inclined to embrace
Islam than she cried and asked for help from the head of the mission. His
name was Monsieur Shavits from Switzerland. He was a very cunning man.
When he asked me about my true attitude, I told him frankly what I really
wanted and then he said: Regard yourself out of job until we discover what
has befallen you. Then I said: This is my resignation from my job. He tried
to convince me to postpone it, but I insisted. So he made a rumor among the
people that I became mad. Thus I suffered a very severe test and oppression
until I left Aswan for good and returned to Cairo.”
When he was asked about the circumstances to his conversion he replied:
“In Cairo I was introduced to a respectable professor who helped me
overcome my severe trial and this he did without knowing anything about
my story. He treated me as a Muslim for I introduced myself to him as such
47
although until then I did not embrace Islam officially. That was Dr.
Muhammad Abdul Moneim Al Jamal the then undersecretary of treasury. He
was highly interested in Islamic studies and wanted to make a translation of
the Holy Quran to be published in America. He asked me to help him
because I was fluent in English since I had got my M.A. from an American
University. He also knew that I was preparing a comparative study of the
Quran, the Torah and the Bible.
We cooperated in this comparative study and in the translation of the Quran.

When Dr. Jamal knew that I had resigned from my job in Aswan and that I
was then unemployed, he helped me with a job in Standard Stationery
Company in Cairo. So I was well established after a short while. I did not
tell my wife about my intention to embrace Islam thus she thought that I had
forgotten the whole affair and that it was nothing but a transitory crisis that
no more existed. But I knew quite well that my official conversion to Islam
needs long complicated measures and it was in fact a battle which I preferred
to postpone for some time until I became well off and after I completed my
comparative study.”
Then Mr. Khalil continued, “In 1955 I did complete my study and my
material and living affairs became well established. I resigned from the
company and set up a training office for importing stationery and school
articles. It was a successful business from which I gained much more money
than I needed. Thus I decided to declare my official conversion to Islam. On
the 25th of December 1959, I sent a telegram to Dr. Thompson, head of the
American Mission in Egypt informing him that I had embraced Islam. When
I told my true story to Dr. Jamal he was completely astonished. When I
declared my conversion to Islam, new troubles began. Seven of my former
colleagues in the mission had tried their best to persuade me to cancel my
declaration, but I refused. They threatened to separate me from my wife and
I said: She is free to do as she wishes. They threatened to kill me. But when
they found me to be stubborn they left me alone and sent to me an old friend
of mine who was also a colleague of mine in the mission. He wept very
much in front of me. So I recited before him the following verses from the
Quran: ‘And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger,
thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth:
They pray: "Our Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses.
What cause can we have not to believe in Allah and the truth which has
come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of
the righteous?’. (Quran S.5 V.84) I said to him, "You should have wept in
48
humiliation to God on hearing the Quran and believe in the truth which you
know but you refuse. He stood up and left me as he saw no use. My official
conversion to Islam was in January 1960.”
Mr. Khalil was then asked about the attitude of his wife and children and he
answered: “My wife left me at that time and took with her all the furniture of
our house. But all my children joined me and embraced Islam. The most
enthusiastic among them was my eldest son Isaac who changed his name to
Osman, then my second son Joseph and my son Samuel whose name is
Jamal and daughter Majida who is now called Najwa. Osman is now a
doctor of philosophy working as a professor in Sorbonne University in Paris
teaching oriental studies and psychology. He also writes in ‘Le Monde’
magazine. As in regards to my wife, she left the house for six years and
agreed to come back in 1966 provided that she keeps her religion. I accepted
this because in Islam there is no compulsion in religion. I said to her: I do
not want you to became a Muslim for my sake but only after you are
convinced. She feels now that she believes in Islam but she cannot declare
this for fear of her family but we treat her as a Muslim woman and she fasts
in Ramadan because all my children pray and fast. My daughter Najwa is a
student in the Faculty of Commerce, Joseph is a doctor pharmacologist and
Jamal is an engineer.
During this period, that is since 1961 until the present time I have been able
to publish a number of books on Islam and the methods of the missionaries
and the orientalists against it. I am now preparing a comparative study about
women in the three Divine religions with the object of highlighting the status
of women in Islam. In 1973 I performed Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and I
am doing activities preaching Islam. I hold seminars in the universities and
charitable societies. I received an invitation from Sudan in 1974 where I held
many seminars. "My time is fully used in the service of Islam and thanks to
Allah because with my efforts many Priests and people reverted to Islam”.
[
Finally Mr. Khalil was asked about the salient features of Islam which have
attracted his attention most. And he answered: “My faith in Islam has been
brought about through reading the Holy Quran and the biography of Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him. I no longer believed
in the misconceptions against Islam and I am especially attracted by the
concept of unity of God, which is the most important feature of Islam. God
is only One. Nothing is like Him. This belief makes me the servant of God
only and of no one else. Oneness of God liberates man from servitude to any
human being and that is true freedom.
49
I also like very much the rule of forgiveness in Islam and the direct
relationship between God and His servants.
‘Say: O my servants who have transgressed against their souls!, despair not
of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-forgiving,
Most Merciful. Turn ye to your Lord (in repentance) and submit to Him
before the Chastisement comes on you: After that ye shall not be helped.’
(Quran S.39 V.53-54)
Source: The Islamic Bulletin, San Francisco, CA 94141-0186
50
6- Martin John Mwaipopo Former Lutheran Archbishop

(Tanzania).
(It was December 23, 1986, two days away from Christmas, when Arch
Bishop Martin John Mwaipopo, announced to his congregation that he was
leaving Christianity for Islam.
The congregation was paralysed with shock on hearing the news, so much
so, that his administrator got up from his seat, closed the door and windows,
and declared to the church members that the Bishop’s mind had become
unhinged, that is, he had gone mad. How could he not think and say so,
when only a few minutes earlier, the man had taken out his music
instruments and sang so movingly for the church members? Little did they
know that inside the Bishop’s heart lay a decision that would blow their
minds, and that the entertainment was only a farewell party. But the
congregant’s reaction was equally shocking! They called the police to take
the "mad" man away. He was kept in the cells until midnight when Sheikh
Ahmed Sheik, the man who initiated him into Islam came to bail him out.
That incident was only a mild beginning of shocks in store for him. Al
Qalam reporter, Simphiwe Sesanti, spoke to the Tanzanian born former
Lutheran Arch Bishop Martin John Mwaipopo, who on embracing Islam
came to be known as Al Hajj Abu Bakr John Mwaipopo)
Credit must go to the Zimbabwean brother, Sufyan Sabelo, for provoking
this writer’s curiosity, after listening to Mwaipopo’s talk at the Wyebank
Islamic Centre, Durban. Sufyan is not sensationalist, but that night he must
have heard something - he just could not stop talking about the man! Who
would not be hooked after hearing that an Arch Bishop, who had not only
obtained a BA and Masters degree, but a doctorate as well, in Divinity, had
later turned to Islam? And since foreign qualifications matter so much to
you, a man who had obtained a diploma in Church Administration in
England and the latter degrees in Berlin, Germany! A man, who, before
becoming a Muslim, had been the World Council of Churches’ General
Secretary for Eastern Africa - covering Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi,
and parts of Ethiopia and Somalia. In the Council of Churches, he rubbed
shoulders with the present chairman of the South African Human Rights
Commission . Barney Pityana and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
‘s chairman, Bishop Desmond Tutu.
It is a story of a man who was born 61 years ago, on February 22 in Bukabo,
an area that shares its borders with Uganda. Two years, after his birth, his
family had him baptised, and five years later, watched him with pride being
51
an alter boy . Seeing him assisting the church minister, preparing the "body
and blood" of Christ , filled the Mwaipopos with pride, and filled Mwaipopo
Senior.with.ideas.for.his.son’s.future.
"When I was in a boarding school, later , my father wrote to me, stating he

wanted me to become a priest. In each and every letter he wrote this" ,
recalls Abu Bakr. But he had his own ideas about his life, which was joining
the police force. But at the age of 25, Mwaipopo gave in to his father’s will.
Unlike in Europe where children can do as they will after age 21 , in Africa ,
children are taught to honour their parent’s will above their own.
"My , son , before I close my eyes (die), I would be glad if you could
become a priest", that’s how father told son, and that’s how the son was
moved, a move that saw him going to England in 1964, to do a diploma in
Church Administration, and a year later to Germany to do a B.A degree. On
returning,.a.year.later,.he.was.made.acting.Bishop.
Later, he went back to do Masters. " All this time, I was just doing things,
without questioning . It was when he began to do his doctorate , that he
started questioning things. "I started wondering … there is Christianity,
Islam, Judaism Buddhism each different religions claiming to the true
religion. What is the truth? I wanted the truth" , says Mwaipopo. So began
his search , until he reduced it to the "major" four religions. He got himself a
copy.of.the.Qur’an,.and.guess.what?
" When I opened the Qur’an , the first verses I came across were, ‘ Say : He
is Allah , The One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begets not,
nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him?
(Surah Ikhlas)’ ", he recalls. That was when the seeds of Islam, unknown to
him, were first sown. It was then that he discovered that the Qur’an was the
only scripture book that had been untampered with, by human beings since
its revelation . "And in concluding my doctoral thesis I said so. I didn’t care
whether they give me my doctorate or not - that was the truth, and I was
looking for the truth."
While in that state of mind he called his "beloved" Professor Van Burger.
"I closed the door, looked him in the eye and asked him ‘of all religions
in the world, which is the true religion’, I asked.‘Islam’,.he.responded".
[
‘Why then are you not a Muslim? I asked again.
52
He said to me "'One, I hate Arabs, and two, do you see all this luxuries that I
have? Do you think that I would give it all up for Islam?’. When I thought
about his answer, I thought about my own situation, too", recalls Mwaipopo.
His mission, his cars - all these appeared in his imagination. No, he could
not embrace Islam, and for one good year, he put it off his mind. But then
dreams haunted him, the verses of the Quran kept on appearing, people clad
in white kept on coming, "especially on Fridays", until he could take it no
more.
[
So, on December 22, he officially embraced Islam. These dreams that

guided him - were they not due to the "superstitious" nature of the Africans?
"No, I don’t believe that all dreams are bad. There are those that guide you
in the right direction and those which don’t, and these ones, in particular,
guided me in the right direction, to Islam", he tells us.
Consequently, the church stripped him of his house and his car. His wife
could not take it, she packed her clothes, took her children and left, despite
Mwaipopo’s assurances that she was not obliged to become a Muslim. When
he went to his parents, they, too, had heard the story. "My father told me to
denounce Islam and my mother said she did not "want to hear any nonsense
from me", remember Mwaipopo. He was on his own! Asked how he now
feels towards his parents, he says that he has forgiven them, in fact found
time to reconcile with his father before he departed to the world yonder.
"They were just old people who did not know. They could not even read the
Bible…all they knew was what they had heard the priest reading", he states.
After asking to stay for one night, the following day, he began his journey to
where his family had originally come from, Kyela, near the borders between
Tanzania and Malawi. His parents had settled in Kilosa, Morogoro. During
his journey, he was stranded in Busale, by one family that was selling home
brewed beer. It was there that he met his future wife, a Catholic Nun, by the
name of Sister Gertrude Kibweya, now known as Sister Zainab. It was with
her that he travelled to Kyela, where the old man, who had given him shelter
the previous night had told him that that’s where he would find other
Muslims. But before that, in the morning of that day he had made the call to
prayer (azaan), something which made the villagers come out, asking his
host why he was keeping a "mad" man. "It was the Nun who explained that I
was not mad but a Muslim", he says. It was the same Nun who later helped
Mwaipopo pay his medical fees at the Anglican Mission Hospital, when he
had become terribly sick, thanks to the conversation he had had with her.
The story goes that he had asked her why she was wearing a rosary, to which
53
she responded that it was because Christ was hanged on it. "But, say,
someone had killed your father with a gun, would you go around carrying a
gun on your chest?" Mmmhhh. That set the Nun thinking, her mind
"challenged", and when the former Bishop proposed marriage to the Nun
later, the answer was "yes". Secretly, they married, and four weeks later, she
wrote a letter to her authorities, informing them of her leave. When the old
man who had given him shelter, (the Nun’s uncle) heard about the marriage,
when they arrived at his house, they were advised to leave the house,
because "the old man was loading his gun", and the Nun’s father was
enraged, "wild like a lion".
From the Bishop’s mansion, Mwaipopo went to live in a self built mud
house. From earning a living as the World Council of Churches’ General
Secretary for Eastern Africa, he began earning a living as a wood cutter and
tilling some people’s lands. When not doing that he was preaching Islam
publicly. This led to a series of short term imprisonments for preaching
blasphemy.against.Christianity.
While on hajj in 1988, tragedy struck. His house was bombed, and
consequently, his infant triplets were killed. "A bishop, whose mother and
my own mother were children of the same father, was involved in the plot’,
recalls Mwaipopo. He says instead of demoralising him, it did the opposite,
as the numbers of people embracing Islam, increased, this including his
father.in.law.
He says that that very day he was released, police came to re-arrest him. And
guess what? "The women said no ways! They said that they would resist my
arrest physically against the police. It was also the women who helped me
cross the borders unnoticed. They clothed me in the women’s fashion!",
according to Mwaipopo. And that is one of the reasons that make him
admire.women.
"Women must be given a high place, they must be given good education in
Islam. Otherwise how would she understand why a man marries more than
one wife…It was my wife, Zainab, who proposed that I should marry my
second wife, Shela, (her friend), when she had to go for Islamic studies
abroad", it's the bishop who says so. Yah?
To the Muslims, Al Hajj Abu Bakr Mwaipopo's message is, "There is war
against Islam…Flood the world with literature. Right now, Muslims are
made to feel ashamed to be regarded as fundamentalists. Muslims must stop
their individualistic tendencies. They must be collective.
Source: http://mandla.co.za/al-qalam/sept97/bishop.htm
54
7- Raphael Narbaez Former Jehovah's Witness Minister

(USA).
A forty-two-year-old Latino, Raphael, is a Los Angeles-based comic and

lecturer. He was born in Texas where he attended his first Jehovah's Witness
meeting at age six. He gave his first Bible sermon at eight, tended his own
congregation at twenty, and was headed for a position of leadership among
the 904,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States. But he traded in his
Bible for a Qur'an after having braved a visit to a local mosque.
On November 1, 1991, he embraced Islam, bringing to the Muslim
community the organizational and speaking skills he developed among
Jehovah's Witnesses. He speaks with the urgency of a new convert, but one
who can make immigrant Muslims laugh at themselves.
He told his story mimicking a cast of characters. I remember vividly being in
a discussion where we were all sitting in my parents' living room and there
were some other Jehovah's Witnesses there. They were talking about : "It's
Armageddon! The time of the end! And Christ is coming! And you know the
hailstones are going to be out here as big as cars! God is going to use all
kinds of things to destroy this wicked system and remove the governments!
And the Bible talks about the earth opening up! It's going to swallow whole
city blocks!"
I'm scared to death! And then my mother turned around: "See what's going
to happen to you if you don't get baptized, and if you don't do God's will?
The earth is going to swallow you up, or one of these huge hailstones is
going to hit you on the head [klonk], knock you out, and you will not exist
ever again. I'll have to make another child."
I wasn't going to take a chance of being hit by one of those big hailstones.
So I got baptized. And of course Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in the
sprinkling of the water. They submerge you completely, hold you there for a
55
second, and then bring you back up.

I did that at the age of thirteen, September 7, 1963, in Pasadena, California,
at the Rose Bowl. It was a big international assembly. We had 100,000
people. We drove all the way from Lubbock, Texas.
Eventually I started giving bigger talks - ten minutes in front of the
congregation. And a circuit servant recommended me to give the hour
lectures that are done on Sunday when they invite the general public. They
usually reserved those [sermons] for the elders of the congregation.
[In an authoritarian voice:] "Sure he's young. But he can handle it. He's a
good Christian boy. He has no vices, and he's obedient to his parents and
seems to have pretty good Bible knowledge."
So at the age of sixteen I started giving hour lectures in front of whole
congregations. I was assigned first to a group in Sweetwater, Texas, and
then, eventually, in Brownfield, Texas, I got my first congregation. At age
twenty, I had become what they call a pioneer minister.
Jehovah's Witnesses have a very sophisticated training program, and they
also have kind of a quota system. You have to devote ten to twelve hours a
month to door-to-door preaching. It's like sales management. IBM has
nothing on these guys.
So when I became a pioneer minister, I devoted most of my full time to
doing the door-to-door ministry. I had to do like 100 hours a month, and I
had to have seven Bible studies. I started lecturing other congregations. I
began to get a lot of responsibility, and I was accepted at a school in
Brooklyn, New York, a very elite school that Jehovah's Witnesses have for
the crème de la crème, the top one percent. But I didn't go.
A few things no longer made sense to me. For example, the quota system. It
seemed like every time I wanted to turn a corner and get into another
position of responsibility, I had to do these secular material things to prove
my godliness. It's like if you meet your quotas this month, God loves you. If
you don't meet your quotas next month, God doesn't love you. That didn't
make very much sense. One month God loves me and one month He
doesn't?
The other thing I started noticing is tunnel vision. Jehovah's Witnesses are
the only ones who are going to be saved in God's new order, nobody else,
because all of them are practicing false religions. Well, I thought, Mother
Teresa's a Catholic. That's our dire enemy. So I said, Wait a minute, Mother
Teresa has spent her entire life doing things that Jesus said: take care of the
56
poor, the sick, the orphans. But she's not going to have God's favor because
she's a Catholic?
We criticized the Catholic Church because they had a man, a priest, to whom
they had to confess. And we'd say, "You shouldn't have to go to a man to
confess your sins! Your sin is against God!" And yet we went to a Body of
Elders. You confessed your sins to them, and they put you on hold, and said
[Elder as telephone operator:] "Hold on just a minute . . . What do you think,
Lord? No? . . . Okay, I'm sorry, we tried our best but you're not repentant
enough. Your sin is too big, so you either lose your fellowship in the church
or you're going to be on probation."
If the sin is against God, shouldn't I directly go to God and beg for mercy?
Probably the nail that hit the coffin was that I noticed that they started
reading their Bible less. Jehovah's Witnesses have books for everything that
are put out by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. The only people on
the entire planet who know how to interpret Bible Scripture correctly are
that group of men, that committee in Brooklyn, who tell Jehovah's Witnesses
worldwide how to dress, how to talk, what to say, what not to say, how to
apply Scripture and what the future is going to be like. God told them, so
they can tell us. I appreciated the books. But if the Bible is the book of
knowledge and if it's God's instructions, well, shouldn't we get our answers
out of the Bible? Paul himself said find out for yourself what is a true and
acceptable word of God. Don't let men tickle your ears.
I started saying, "Don't worry so much about what the Watchtower says -
read the Bible for yourself." Ears started to prick up.
[Old Southerner's drawl:] "I think we got us an apostate here, Judge. Yup. I
think this old boy's one taco short of something."
Even my father said, "You better watch it, young man, that's the demons
talking right there. That's the demons trying to get in and cause division."
I said, "Dad, it's not the demons. People don't need to read so much of these
other publications. They can find their answers with prayer and in the
Bible."
Spiritually I no longer felt at ease. So in 1979, knowing that I could not
make headway, I left, disgruntled and with a bad taste in my mouth, because
all my life I had put my soul, my heart, my mind into the church. That was
the problem. I didn't put it in God. I put it in a man-made organization.
I can't go to other religions. As a Jehovah's Witness, I had been trained,
through the Scriptures, to show that they are all wrong. That idolatry is bad.
57
Trinity doesn't exist.

I'm like a man without a religion. I was not a man without a God. But where
could I go?
In 1985, I decided to come to Los Angeles and get on the Johnny Carson
show and make my mark as a great comedian and actor. I have always felt
like I was born for something. I didn't know whether it was going to be
finding the cure to cancer or becoming an actor. I kept praying and it got
frustrating after a while.
So I just went to the Catholic church close to my house, and I tried it. I
remember on Ash Wednesday I had that ash cross on my forehead. I was
trying anything I could. I went for about two or three months, and I just
couldn't do it anymore, man. It was: Stand.up..Sit.down.
Okay,.stick.your.tongue.out.
You got a lot of exercise. I think I lost about five pounds. But that's about it.
So.now.I'm.more.lost.than.ever.
But it never passed through my mind that there is not a Creator. I have His
phone number, but the line's always busy. I'm doing my little movie shots. A
film called Deadly Intent. A telephone commercial in Chicago. An Exxon
commercial. A couple of bank commercials. In the meantime I'm doing
construction work on the side.
We're working on this mall. It's the holiday season, and they put these extra
booths in the hallways. There was a gal at one, and we had to pass right in
front of her. I'd say, "Good morning, how are you?" If she said anything, it
was "Hi." And that was it.
Finally, I said, "Miss, you never say anything. I just wanted to apologize if
there was something I said wrong."
She said, "No, you see, I'm a Muslim." "You're what?"
"I'm a Muslim, and Muslim women, we don't talk to men unless we have
something specific to talk about; otherwise we don't have anything to do
with men." "Ohhhhh. Muslim."
She said, "Yes, we practice the religion of Islam."
"Islam - how do you spell that?"
"I-s-l-a-m."
At the time, I knew that Muslims were all terrorists. She doesn't even have a
beard. How could she possibly be Muslim?
"How did this religion get started?"
58
"Well, there was a prophet."

"A prophet?" "Muhammad."
I started some research. But I just came from one religion. I had no intention
of becoming Muslim.
The holidays are over. The booth moves. She's gone.
I continued to pray, and asked why my prayers weren't being answered. In
November of 1991, I was going to bring my uncle Rockie home from the
hospital. I started to empty his drawers to pack his stuff and there was a
Gideon Bible. I said, God has answered my prayers. This Gideon Bible. (Of
course, they put it in every hotel room.) This is a sign from God that He's
ready to teach me. So I stole the Bible.
I went home and I started praying: O God, teach me to be a Christian. Don't
teach me the Jehovah's Witness way. Don't teach me the Catholic way.
Teach me Your way! You would not have made this Bible so hard that
ordinary people sincere in prayer could not understand it.
I got all the way through the New Testament. I started the Old Testament.
Well, eventually there's a part in the Bible about the prophets.
Bing!
I said, Wait a minute, that Muslim lady said they had a prophet. How come
he's not in here?
I started thinking, Muslims - one billion in the world. Man, one out of every
five people on the street theoretically could be a Muslim. And I thought:
One billion people! C'mon now, Satan is good. But he's not that good.
So then I said, I'll read their book, the Qur'an, and I'll see what kind of pack
of lies this thing is. It probably has an illustration on how to dissemble an
AK-47. So I went to an Arabic bookstore.
They asked, "What can I help you with?"
"I'm looking for a Qur'an."
"Okay, we have some over here."
They had some very nice ones - thirty dollars, forty dollars."
"Look, I just want to read it, I don't want to become one, okay?"
"Okay, we have this little five-dollar paperback edition."
I went home, and started reading my Qur'an from the beginning, with Al-
Fatihah. And I could not get my eyes off of it.
59
Hey, look at this. It talks about a Noah in here. We have Noah in our Bible
too. Hey, it talks about Lot and Abraham. I can't believe it. I never knew
Satan's name was Iblis. Hey, how about that.
When you get that picture on your TV set and it's got a little bit of static and
you push that button [klop] - fine tune. That's exactly what happened with
the Qur'an.
I went through the whole thing. So I said, Okay, I've done this, now what's
the next thing you got to do? Well, you gotta go to their meeting place. I
looked in the yellow pages, and I finally found it: Islamic Center of Southern
California, on Vermont. I called and they said, "Come on Friday."
Now I really start getting nervous, `cause now I know I'm going to have to
confront Habib and his AK-47.
I want people to understand what it's like for an American Christian coming
into Islam. I'm kidding about the AK-47, but I don't know if these guys have
daggers under their coats, you know. So I come up to the front, and sure
enough, there's this six-foot-three, 240-pound brother, beard and everything,
and I'm just in awe.
I walked up and said, "Excuse me, sir."
[Arabic accent:] "Go to the back!"
He thought I was already a brother.
I said, "Yessir, yessir" [meekly].
I didn't know what I was going back for, but I went back anyway. They had
the tent and the rugs were out. I'm standing there, kind of shy, and people are
sitting down listening to the lecture. And people are saying, Go ahead,
brother, sit down. And I'm going, No, thanks, no, thanks, I'm just visiting.
So finally the lecture's over. They're all lined up for prayer and they go into
sajdah. I was really taken aback.
It started making sense intellectually, in my muscles, in my bones, in my
heart and my soul.
So prayers are over. I say, hey, who's going to recognize me? So I start to
mingle like I'm one of the brothers, and I'm walking into the mosque and a
brother says, "Assalaamu alaikum." And I thought, Did he say "salt and
bacon"?
"Assalaamu alaikum."
60
There's another guy who said "salt and bacon" to me.

I didn't know what in the world they were saying, but they all smiled.
Before one of these guys noticed that I was not supposed to be there and
took me to the torture chamber, or beheaded me, I wanted to see as much as
I could. So eventually I went to the library, and there was a young Egyptian
brother; his name was Omar. God sent him to me.
Omar comes up to me, and he says, "Excuse me. This is your first time
here?" He has a real strong accent.
And I said, Yeah, it is.
"Oh, very good. You are Muslim?"
"No, I'm just reading a little."
"Oh, you are studying? This is your first visit to a mosque?"
"Yes."
"Come, let me show you around." And he grabs me by the hand, and I'm
walking with another man - holding hands. I said, These Muslims are
friendly.
So he shows me around.
"First of all, this is our prayer hall, and you take your shoes off right here."
"What are these things?"
"These are little cubicles. That's where you put your shoes."
"Why?"
"Well, because you're approaching the prayer area, and it's very holy. You
don't go in there with your shoes on; it's kept real clean."
So he takes me to the men's room.
"And right here, this is where we do wudu."
"Voodoo! I didn't read anything about voodoo!"
"No, not voodoo. Wudu!"
"Okay, because I saw that stuff with the dolls and the pins, and I'm just not
ready for that kind of commitment yet."
He says, "No, wudu, that's when we clean ourselves."
"Why do you do that?"
"Well, when you pray to God, you have to be clean, so we wash our hands
and feet."
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So I learned all these things. He let me go, and said, Come back again.
I went back and asked the librarian for a booklet on prayer, and I went home
and practiced. I felt that if I was trying to do it right, God would accept it. I
just continued to read and read and visit the mosque.
I had a commitment to go on a tour of the Midwest on a comedy circuit.
Well, I took a prayer rug with me. I knew that I was supposed to pray at
certain times, but there are certain places where you are not supposed to
pray, one of which is in the bathroom. I went into a men's room on a tourist
stop and I laid out my carpet and I started doing my prayers.
I came back, and when Ramadan was over, I started getting calls from
different parts of the country to go and lecture as a Jehovah's Witness
minister who embraced Islam. People find me a novelty. [Two immigrants
converse:]
"This guy like apple pie and he drives a Chevy truck. He is a red-blooded
American boy. He was a Jehovah's Witness."
"Those people that come in the morning?"
"Yeah, those."
"That never let us sleep on Sundays?"
"Yeah, this guy was one of them. Now he's one of us."
Eventually somebody would come up to me and say [Pakistani accent], "Oh,
brother, your talk was so good. But you know, in the Shafi'i school of
thought.."
The only thing I could do was turn to them and say, "Gee, brother, I'm so
sorry, I wish I knew about that, but I don't know anything about Islam except
what's in the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Some of them are taken aback and say, "Ha-ha! Poor brother. He doesn't
know anything. He only knows the Qur'an."
Well, that's what I'm supposed to know. And it's been a very loving
protection. I think it's all in Allah's hands."
[
http://www.newmuslims.tk
Source: The Islamic Bulletin, San Francisco, CA 94141-0186
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8- George Anthony Former Catholic priest ( Sri Lanka ).

Fr. Antony was a Catholic priest in Sri Lanka. His tale of becoming a true
believer and adopting a name Adulrahman for him is quite interesting. Being
a Christian priest he was well versed with the teachings of the Bible. He
quotes the Bible frequently as he sits to narrate his journey to Islam. While
reading the Bible he found many contradictions in it. He goes on quoting
verses from the Bible in Sinhalese language and points out the ambiguity.
“He quotes Esaiah 9:12 which reads like this.” And the book is delivered to
him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith; I am not
learned.” This verse is a prophecy towards prophet Mohammed (PBUH),
because Mohammad (pubh) was an unlettered prophet and when he was an
unlettered prophet and when he was asked by Angel Gabrielto read out the
first divine revelation upon him he said, “I am not learned” Contrary to the
Christian belief that Jesus is God, Acts 2:22 of the Holy Bible considers
Jesus as a man. It says, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words, jesus of
Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and
signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourself also know.”
Christianity and the other religions, do not define the prophehood according
to him. Nor does Bhudda and is silent about the other prophets. Contrary to
this it is compulsory in Islam to believe in all the formaer Prophets and to
revere them. According to Abdulrahman this belief is quite convincing and
appealing to every body. Abdulrahman says that there is no reason for the
restriction that a Roman Catholic priest cannot marry, when the priests of
many other sects of Christianity can marry. Abdulrahman was pondering
over the confusions of Christian belief. Meanwhile he got an Audio Cassette
of a converted Christian priest Sri Lanka Shareef D Alwis. Cassettes of
Ahmad Deedat also attracted him. His continuous efforts to find the truth
finally resulted in reversion to Islam. Fr. George Antony
Abdulrahman, hails from the Rathnapura village of Sri Lanka. He was
rendering his services as a priest in Katumayaka church. He has ten years of
training of the priesthood to his credit. He wrote letters to his mother
introducing Islam. After months of studies she followed the path of her son
and embraced Islam. Abdurahman’s only sister is working in Greece. His
father and sister still remained Christians. Abdurahman gave up his highly
respected career as a priest for the sake of truth. He happily sacrificed all
material gains for the spiritual triumph. He is now working as a trainee in
Islam Presentation Committee of Kuwait.
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9- Dr. Gary Miller (Abdul-Ahad Omar) a mathematician and

Christian missionary (Canada - USA)
Gary Miller (Abdul-Ahad Omar) shows how we can establish true faith by
setting standards of truth. He illustrates a simple but effective method of
finding out the right direction in our search for truth.
G.R. Miller is a mathematician and a theologian. He was active in Christian
missionary work at a particular point of his life but he soon began to
discover many inconsistencies in the Bible. In 1978, he happened to read the
Qur'an expecting that it, too, would contain a mixture of truth and falsehood.
He discovered to his amazement that the message of the Qur'an was
precisely the same as the essence of truth that he had distilled from the
Bible. He became a Muslim and since then has been active in giving public
presentations on Islam including radio and television appearances. He is also
the author of several articles and publications about Islam.
A very important Christian missionary converted to Islam and became a

major herald for Islam, he was a very active missionary and was very
knowledgeable.about.the.Bible.
This man likes mathematics so much, that's why he likes logic. One day, he
decided to read the Quran to try to find any mistakes that he might take
advantage of while inviting Muslims to convert to Christianity.... He
expected the Koran to be an old book written 14 centuries ago, a book that
talks about the desert and so on...He was amazed from what he found. He
discovered that this Book had what no other book in the world has.... He
expected to find some stories about the hard time that the Prophet
Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had, like the death of his wife Khadijah
(may Allah be pleased with her) or the death of his sons and
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daughters...however, he did not find anything like that... and what made him
even more confused is that he found a full "sura"(chapter) in the Koran
named "Mary" that contains a lot of respect to Mary(peace be upon her)
which is not the case even in the books written by Christians nor in their
bibles. He did not find a Sura named after "Fatimah"(the prophet's daughter)
nor "Aishah"(the Prophet's wife), may Allah (God) be pleased with both of
them. He also found that the name of Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him) was
mentioned in the Koran 25 times while the name of "Mohammed"(Peace Be
Upon Him) was mentioned only 4 times, so he became more confused. He
started reading the Qur'an more thoroughly hoping to find a mistake but he
was shocked when he read a great verse which is verse number 82 in Surat
Al-Nisa'a.(Women).that.says:
“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than
Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy”.
Dr. Miller says about this verse: “ One of the well known scientific
principles is the principle of finding mistakes or looking for mistakes in a
theory until it’s proved to be right (Falsification Test)…what’s amazing is
that the Holy Quran asks Muslims and non-muslims to try to find mistakes
in this book and it tells them that they will never find any”. He also says
about this verse: no writer in the world has the courage to write a book and
say that it’s empty of mistakes, but the Quran, on the contrary, tells you that
it has no mistakes and asks you to try to find one and you won’t find any.
Another verse that Dr. Miller reflected on for a long time is the verse
number 30 in Surat “Al-Anbiya’a” (The Prophets):
“ Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined
together (as one unit of Creation), before We clove them asunder? We made
from water every living thing. Will.they.not.then.believe?
He says: ”this verse is exactly the subject of the scientific research that won
the Noble prize in 1973 and was about the theory of the “Great Explosion”.
According to this theory, the universe was the result of a great explosion that
lead to the formation of the universe with its skies and planets.
Dr. Miller says: “now we come to what’s amazing about the Prophet
Mohammed (PBUH) and what’s pretended about the devils helping him,
God says: “No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation), it would
65
neither suit them nor would they be able (to produce it). Indeed they have
been removed far from even (a chance of) hearing it” (26:210-212). “When
thou does read the Quran, seek Allah's protection from Satan the Rejected
One”(16:98).
You see? can this be the devil’s way to write a book? how can he write a
book then tells you to ask God for protection from this devil before reading
that book? those are miraculous verses in this miraculous book! and has a
logical answer to those who pretend that it’s from the devil”. And among the
stories that amazed Dr. Miller is the story of the Prophet (PBUH) with Abu-
Lahab… Dr. Miller says: “this man (Abu Lahab) used to hate Islam so much
that he would go after the Prophet wherever he goes to humiliate him. If he
saw the prophet talking to strangers, he used to wait till he finishes and then
ask them: what did Mohammed tell you? If he said it’s white then it’s in
reality black and if he said it’s night then it’s day. He meant to falsify all
what the prophet says and to make people suspicious about it. And 10 years
before the death of Abu Lahab, a sura was inspired to the prophet, named
“Al-Masad”. This sura tells that Abu Lahab will go to hell, in other words, it
says that Abu Lahab will not convert to Islam. During 10 years, Abu Lahab
could have said: “Mohammed is saying that I will not become a Muslim and
that I will go to the hell fire, but I’m telling you now that I want to convert to
Islam and become a Muslim. What do you think about Mohammed now? Is
he saying the truth or no? Does his inspiration come from God?”. But Abu
Lahab did not do that at all although he was disobeying the prophet in all
matters, but not in this one. In other words, it was as if the prophet(PBUH)
was giving Abu Lahab a chance to prove him wrong! But he did not do that
during 10 whole years! he did not convert to Islam and did not even pretend
to be a Muslim!! Throughout 10 years, he had the chance to destroy Islam in
1 minute! But this did not happen because those are not the words of
Mohammed (PBUH) but the words of God Who knows what’s hidden and
knows that Abu Lahab will not become a Muslim.
How can the prophet (PBUH) know that Abu Lahab will prove what is said
in that Sura if this was not inspiration from Allah? How can he be sure
throughout 10 whole years that what he has (the Quran) is true if he did not
know that it’s inspiration from Allah?? For a person to take such a risky
challenge, this has only one meaning: that this is inspiration from God.
“Perish the hands of the Father of Flame (Abu Lahab)! perish he! No profit
to him from all his wealth, and all his gains! Burnt soon will he be in a Fire
66
of blazing Flame! His wife shall carry the (crackling) wood; As fuel! A
twisted rope of palm-leaf fibre round her (own) neck!”(surat Al-Masad).
Dr Miller says about a verse that amazed him: one of the miracles in the
Quran is challenging the future with things that humans cannot predict and
to which the “Falsification Test” applies, this test consists of looking for
mistakes until the thing that is being tested is proved to be right. For
example, let’s see what the Quran said about the relation between Muslims
and Jews. Quran says that Jews are the major enemies for Muslims and this
is true until now as the main enemy for Muslims are the Jews.
Dr. Miller continues: this is considered a great challenge since the Jews have
the chance to ruin Islam simply by treating Muslims in a friendly way for
few years and then say: here we are treating you as friends and the Quran
says that we are your enemies, the Quran must be wrong then! But this did
not happen during 1400 years!! and it will never happen because those are
the words of The One who knows the unseen (God) and not the words of
humans.
Dr. Miller continues: can you see how the verse that talks about the enmity
between Muslims and Jews constitutes a challenge to the human mind?
“Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers wilt thou find the Jews and
Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those
who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to
learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt
see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray:
"Our Lord! We believe; write us down among the witnesses”(5: 82-84)
This verse applies to Dr. Miller as he was a Christian but when he knew the
truth, he believed and converted to Islam and became a herald. May Allah
support.him.
Dr Miller says about the unique style of the Quran that he finds wonderful:
no doubt there is something unique and amazing in Quran that is not present
anywhere else, as the Quran gives you a specific information and tells you
that you did not know this before. For example: "This is part of the tidings of
the things unseen, which We reveal unto thee (O Prophet!) by inspiration:
thou was not with them when they cast lots with arrows, as to which of them
should be charged with the care of Maryam: nor was thou with them when
they.disputed.(the.point)”(3:.44).
67
“Such are some of the stories of the Unseen, which We have revealed unto
thee: before this, neither thou nor thy People knew them. So persevere
patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous”(11: 49). “Such is one
of the stories of what happened unseen, which We reveal by inspiration unto
thee: nor was thou (present) with them when they concerted their plans
together in the process of weaving their plots”(12: 102)
Dr Miller continues: “no other holy book uses this style, all the other books
consist of information that tells you where this information came from. For
example, when the (distorted) holy bible talks about the stories of the ancient
nations, it tells you that a this king lived in a this place and a that leader
fought in that battle, and that a certain person had a number of kids and their
names are…. But this book (distorted Bible) always tells you that if you
want to know more, you can read a certain book since that information came
from.that.book”.
Dr. Garry Miller continues: “this is in contrary to the Qur'an which gives
you the information and tells you that it’s new!! And what’s amazing is that
the people of Mecca at that time -time of inspiration of those verses- used to
hear those verses and the challenge that the information in those verses was
new and was not known by Mohammed (PBUH) nor by his people at that
time, and despite that, they never said: we know this and it is not new, and
they did not say: we know where Mohammed came from with those verses.
This never happened, but what happened is that nobody dared to say that he
was lying to them because those was really new information, not coming
from the human mind but from Allah who knows the unseen in the past, the
present.and.the.future”.
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10- Rev. David Benjamin Keldani (Abdu 'l-Ahad Dáwúd)(

Iran ).
Professor 'Abdu 'l-Ahad Dawud, B.d., the writer of the present series of
articles is the former Reverend David Benjamin Keldani, B.D., a Roman
Catholic priest of the Uniate-Caldean sect. When asked how he came to
Islam he wrote:
"My conversion to Islam cannot be attributed to any cause other than
the gracious direction of the Almighty Allah. Without this Divine
guidance all learning, search and other efforts to find the Truth may
even lead one astray. The moment I belived in the Absolute Unity of
God His Holy Apostle Muhummed became the pattern of my conduct
and behvior."
'Abdu 'l-Ahad Dáwúd is the former Rev. David Benjamin Keldani, B.D., a
Roman Catholic priest of the Uniate-Chaldean sect. He was born in 1867 at
Urmia in Persia; educated from his early infancy in that town. From 1886-89
(three years) he was on the teaching staff of the Archbishop of Canterbury's
Mission to the Assyrian (Nestorian) Christians at Urmia. In 1892 he was sent
by Cardinal Vaughan to Rome, where he underwent a course of
philosophical and theological studies at the Propaganda Fide College, and in
1895 was ordained Priest. During that time he contributed a series of articels
to The Tablet on "Assyria, Rome and Canterbury"; and also to the Irish
Record on the "Authenticity of the Pentateuch." He had several translations
of the Ave Maria in different languages, published in the Illustrated
Chatholic Missions. While in Constantinople on his way to Persia in 1895,
he contributed a long series of articels in English and French to the daily
paper, published there under the name of The Levant Herald, on "Eastern
Churches." In 1895 he joined the French Lazarist Mission at Urmia, and
published for the first time in the history of that Misssion a periodical in the
69
vernacular Syriac called Qala-La Shárá, i.e. "The Voice of Truth." In 1897
he was delegated by two Uniate-Chaldean Archbishops of Urmia and of
Salmas to erpresent the Eastern Catholics at the Eucharistic Congress held at
Paray-le-Monial in France under the presidency of Cardinal Perraud. This
was, of course, on official invitation. The paper read at the Congress by
"Father Benjamin" was published in the Annals of the Eucharistic Congress,
called "Le Pelirin" of that year. In this paper, the Chaldean Arch-Priest (that
being his official title) deplored the Catholic system of education among the
Nestorians, and fortold the imminent appearance of the Russian priests in
Urmia.
In 1898 Father Benjamin was back again in Persia. In his native village,
Digala, about a mile from the town, he opened a school gratis. The next year
he was sent by the Ecclesiastical authorities to take charge of the diocese of
Salmas, where a sharp and scandalous conflict between the Uniate
Archbishop, Khudabásh, and the Lazarist Fathers for a long time had been
menacing a schism. On the day of New Year 1900, Father Benjamin
preached his last and memorable sermon to a large congregation, including
many non-Catholic Armenians and others in the Cathedral of St. George´s
Khorovábád, Salmas. The preacher´s subject was "New Century and New
Men." He recalled the fact that the Nestorian Missionaries, before the
apperance of Islam, had preached the Gospel in all Asia; that they had
numerous establishments in India (especially at the Malbar Coast), in
Tartary, China and Mongolia; and that they translated the Gospel to the
Turkish Uighurs and into other languages; that the Catholic, American and
Anglican Missions, in spite of the little good they had done to the Assyro-
Chaldean nation in the way of preliminary education, had split the nation -
already a handful - in Persia, Kurdistan and Mesopotamia into numerous
hostile sects; and that their efforts were destined to bring about the final
collapse. Consequently he advised the natives to make some sacrifices in
order to stand upon their own legs like men, and not to depend upon the
foreign missions, etc.
Five big and ostentatious missions - Americans, Anglicans, French,
Germans and Russians - with their colleges, Press backed up by rich
religious societies, Consuls and Ambassadors, were endeavouring to convert
about one hundred thousand Assyro-Chaldeans from nestorian heresy unto
one or another of the five heresies. But the Russian Mission soon outstripped
the others, and it was this mission which in 1915 pushed or forced the
Assyrians of Persia, as well as the mountaineer tribes of Kurdistan, who had
then immigrated into the plains of Salmas and Urmia, to take up arms
70
against their respective Governments. The result was that half of his people
perished in the war and the rest expelled from their native lands.
The great question: Was Christianity, with all its multitudinous shapes and
colours, and with its unauthentic, spurious and corrupted Scriptures, the true
Religion of God? In the summer of 1900 he retired to his small villa in the
middle of vineyards near the celebrated fountain of Cháli-Boulaghi in
Digala, and there for a month spent his time in prayer and meditation,
reading over and over the Scriptures in their original texts. The crisis ended
in a formal resignation sent in to the Uniate Archbishop of Urmia, in which
he frankly explained to Mar (Mgr.) Touma Audu the reasons for abandoning
his sacerdotal functions. All attempts made by the ecclesiastical authorities
to withdraw his decision were of no avail. There was no personal quarrel or
dispute between Father Benjamin and his superiors; it was all question of
conscience.
He was employed in Tabriz as Inspector in the Persian Service of Posts and
Customs under the Belgian experts. Then he was taken into the service of
the Crown Prince Muhummed 'Alí Mirsá as teacher and translator. It was in
1903 that he again visited England and there joined the Unitarian
Community. And in 1904 he was sent by the British and Foreign Unitarian
Association to carry on an educational and enlightening work among his
country people. On his way to Persia he visited Constantinople; and after
several interviews with Sheikhu 'l-Islám Jemálu 'd-Dín Effendi and other
Ulémas ( Muslim scholars), he embraced Islam.
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11- Muhammad Aman Hobohm Diplomat, Missionary and

Social Worker (Germany).
Why Do Westerners Embrace Islam?

There are various reasons for it. In the first place, truth always has its force.
The basic tenets of Islam are so rational, so natural and so appealing that an
honest truth-seeker cannot help being impressed by them. To take, for
example, the belief in monotheism. How it raises the dignity of man and
how it frees us from the grip of superstition! How naturally it leads to the
equality of men, for all have been created by the same God and all are the
servants of the same Lord. For the Germans, in particular, the belief in God
is a source of inspiration, a source of fearless courage and a source of the
feeling of security. Then the idea of life after death turns the tables. Life in
this world remains no more the main objective, and [a] great part of human
energy is devoted to the betterment of the Hereafter. The faith in the Day of
Judgement automatically spurs a man to give up misdeeds, for good deeds
alone can ensure eternal salvation, although the wrong deeds may prosper
here for a limited period. The belief that none can escape the consequences
of the judgement of a Just, Impartial and Omniscient Lord makes one think
twice before one does anything wrong and surely this internal check is more
effective than the most efficient police in the world.
Another thing that attracts foreigners to Islam is its emphasis on tolerance.
Then the daily prayers teach one punctuality and the one month of fasting
enables one to exercise self-control over oneself and without doubt
punctuality and self-discipline are two of the most important attributes of a
good man and a great man.
Now comes the real achievement of Islam. It is the only ideology which has
succeeded in instilling in its followers the spirit of observing the ethical and
moral limitations without external compulsion. For a Muslim knows that,
wherever he is, he is being observed by God. This belief keeps him away
72
from sin. As man is naturally inclined towards goodness, Islam also offers
peace of mind and heart --- and this is what is totally absent from the
Western society of today.
I have lived under different systems of life and have had the opportunity of
studying various ideologies, but have come to the conclusion that none is as
perfect as Islam.
Communism has its attractions, so have secular democracy and Nazism. But
none has got a complete code of a noble life. Only Islam has it, and that
is why good men embrace it.
Islam is not theoretical; it is practical. Islam is not a departmental affair; it
means complete submission to the will of God.
From "Islam, Our Choice"
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12- Archpriest.Viacheslav.Polosin.(Russia).
Viacheslav Sergeevich Polosin was born in 1956. In 1979 he graduated

from the Philosophy Faculty of MGU and in 1984 from the Moscow
Ecclesiastical Seminary. He was ordained a priest and served in parishes in
the dioceses of Central Asia and Kaluga of RPTs. In 1990 he was elevated to
the rank of archpriest. In the same year he was elected a people's deputy of
RSFSR from Kaluga region and headed the committee of the Supreme
Soviet on freedom of conscience. While working in the Supreme Soviet, he
graduated from the diplomatic academy of the ministry of foreign affairs and
defended his dissertation on the subject: "The Russian Orthodox church and
the state in USSR, 1971-1991." From 1993 he has been an employee of the
staff of the State Duma on relations with public associations and religious
organizations. He was a member of the Russian Christian Democratic
Movement and a member of the Council of Christian Organizations. In 1991
he went on leave from the Kaluga diocese and since 1995 he has not
officiated in liturgies. In his interview with the Musulmane journal, he
officially called himself a Muslim: "I consider that the Koran is the final
Revelation on earth, sent down to the Prophet Muhammed. There is no God
but the One God, Allah, and Muhammed is his Messenger." Viacheslav
Polosin is the author of many scholarly works on historical,political,
religious, and philosophical subjects. In February of this year he defended
another dissertation on the subject: "The dialectics of myth and political
myth-making." His basic philosophical ideas are presented in his book
"Myth, Religion, and the State" (Moscow, 1999).
In an interview with the journal "Musulmane;" VIACHESLAV POLOSIN
said that Islam is not an offshoot from Christianity but a second and great
reform of Abrahamic monotheism. Abraham believed in the one God and
was the first to express this publicly. He announced it and confirmed it for
his successors, becoming the "father" of all believers. Subsequently this
tradition suffered deviations. It is known that all of the prophets--
incidentally many of them also are called "saviors"--criticized the people for
their deviation into heathenism. And the greatest prophet, Jesus, also
74
criticized people for heathenism. More than that, he himself spoke of himself
in parables as sent by God with a special mission. Before this people said:
"Prophets are sinners like us." But God sent a sinless Angel of God--in the
bible angels are called "sons of God" (Job 38.7)--who really was a pure
prophet but he was not obeyed. They conceived the desire to destroy him.
He criticized the dominating shortcomings of the time and spread the Good
News of the one God beyond the boundaries of a single people, for all
people; this was a great reform of Judaism. Islam is the second reform,
cleansing the Christianity of the sixth and seventh centuries from the pagan
accretions which has been formed in the period of its acquiring official
status and compulsory mass acceptance
What is attractive in Islam is simply Monotheism in its pure form in order
not to think of God in an unworthy manner. I like it when there are no
contradictions and there is logical consistency. The Glorious Koran says
outright that the truth is not contradictory. There is the doctrine of the
transcendental God, the Creator, the Almighty, the Merciful and all the rest
should be in agreement with this. If something contradicts this, that means it
must be eliminated.
Nezavisimaia gazeta--religii, 2 June 1999

Source: http://www.stetson.edu/~psteeves/relnews/9906a.html#03
75
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
".. And you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who
say: We are Christians. That is because amongst them are priests and monks,
and they are not proud. And when they (who call themselves Christians)
listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH),
you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have
recognised. They say: Our Lord!, We believe; so write us down among the
witnesses. And why should we not believe in Allâh and in that which has
come to us of the truth (Islâmic Monotheism)? And we wish that our Lord
will admit us (in Paradise on the Day of Resurrection) along with the
righteous people (Prophet Muhammad PBUH and his companions may
Allâh be pleased with them) ".
[The Noble Qur'an , Sûrah Al-Mâ'idah 5:82-84 ]
For more stories about Priests, Vicars and Preachers

Embracing Islam, please visit: www.islamic-invitation.com
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Priests Embracing Islam

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Priests Embracing Islam

2- Abdullah M. al-Faruque Formerly Kenneth L. Jenkins, former minister and elder 21

4- Sister Khadijah "Sue" Watson Former pastor, missionary, professor. Master's 42

6- Martin John Mwaipopo Former Lutheran Archbishop. (Tanzania) 51

7- Raphael Former Jehovah's Witness Minister. (USA) 55

8- George Anthony Former Catholic priest. (Sri Lanka) 63

9- Dr. Gary Miller (Abdul-Ahad Omar) a mathematician and Christian missionary. 64

10- Rev. David Benjamin Keldani (Abdu 'l-Ahad Dáwúd). (Iran) 69

1- Chaplain Yusuf Estes Ex-Christian Businessman &

Chaplain Yusuf Estes Before Chaplain Yusuf Estes After

to do with these people?

Again.he.said: ."Yes." (Better still!)

Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?

and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my

what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists

May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to

Then Continue & Avoid.

Answer: The Baptists have a statement, "Once saved, always saved." I

3. "How did your family respond to your conversion?"

6. "Who was responsible for converting you?"

May Allah guide you on your journey to all truth. Ameen.

[email protected] Tel: 001-703-354-5224

2- Abdullah M. al-Faruque Formerly Kenneth L. Jenkins,

As a former minister and elder of the Christian church, it has become

of religion as a whole. May Allah guide us all and reward us according to

was deeply disturbed at what I deemed was their misinterpretation of it. I

Welcome to the Real Church World

You can listen to the debate at this web

You can download the books of

Abdullah Muhammad al-Faruque (Kenneth L. Jenkins) At-Ta'if, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

3- Dr. Jerald F. Dirks (Abu Yahya) Former minister

although gradually some of this information is being incorporated into newer

American culture was becoming a morally bankrupt institution, and I was

details of Islam, and that my areas of agreement were confined to general

realization that laughter is often a release of psychological tension. However

irritability. With that, Iman politely retired from my table.

testimonial of faith. Having made my tortured explanation, and having

was no translator present to bail me out of this situation, and to allow me to

There are sacrifices to be made in being a Muslim in America. For that

For those contemplating the acceptance of Islam and the surrendering of

4-Sister Khadijah "Sue" Watson Former pastor, missionary,

Omnipotent-All Powerful, and Omnipresent-All Present God. The One and

5-Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed (Ibrahim Khalil Philobus) Former

Al-Hajj Ibrahim Khalil Ahmad, formerly Ibrahim Khalil Philobus, was an

In 1952 I got my M.A. from Princeton University in U.S.A. and was

We cooperated in this comparative study and in the translation of the Quran.

6- Martin John Mwaipopo Former Lutheran Archbishop

"When I was in a boarding school, later , my father wrote to me, stating he

‘Why then are you not a Muslim? I asked again.

So, on December 22, he officially embraced Islam. These dreams that

7- Raphael Narbaez Former Jehovah's Witness Minister

A forty-two-year-old Latino, Raphael, is a Los Angeles-based comic and

second, and then bring you back up.

Trinity doesn't exist.

"Well, there was a prophet."

There's another guy who said "salt and bacon" to me.