Disowned, Beaten and Jailed, Arabian Peninsula Convert Says He Will Keep Telling of Jesus
The Voice of the Martyrs told the former Muslim's story for this year's day of prayer for persecuted Christians. One of his daughters has since become a Christian.
See where this is ›ARABIAN PENINSULA —
A former Muslim identified only as Bassam lost his home and his family ties after turning to Christ on the Arabian Peninsula, The Christian Post reported Nov. 1. His father disowned him, his brothers-in-law beat him and he was jailed, according to the report.
“No matter what happens to me, I will tell people about Jesus,” Bassam said. He is featured in a prayer video from The Voice of the Martyrs for the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, observed on the first Sunday of November, which fell on Nov. 1 this year. The report said one of his daughters has become a Christian.
Todd Nettleton, vice president of message for The Voice of the Martyrs USA and host of VOM Radio, told The Christian Post the video helps American Christians picture what persecuted believers endure. He said Muslims are coming to Christ partly through dreams or visions of Jesus and partly from frustration with Islamic governance.
Nettleton pointed to Iran, where the Islamic Republic has ruled for more than 40 years. “So that is fertile soil for Gospel seeds to be planted,” he said.
He also cited India, where 13 states have anti-conversion laws, and said VOM Radio has featured an Indian pastor who was arrested under one of those laws and repeatedly beaten in prison. Nettleton argued the laws are worded so broadly that serving coffee and doughnuts at church could be treated as an inducement to convert. He also named China, Vietnam, the Middle East and Nigeria as places of concern.
See where this is ›The Voice of the Martyrs, based in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, offers free prayer materials for churches, families and small groups, along with daily prayer requests through its app during November. The Christian Post said the ministry is also running a 24-hour social media prayer event with a new request each hour.
What we don't know yet: Bassam's full name, his country and the dates of his arrest and beating were not given in the report. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the details, which come from The Voice of the Martyrs.
