Son of Hamas Founder Discusses Conversion to Christianity
August 16th, 2008 at 08:48am Mark Noonan
Just a bit amazing that such a person could be exposed enough to the Christian message to become a convert:
Masab-Joseph Yousef, a son of prominent West Bank MP Sheikh Hassan Yousef, has discussed his conversion to Christianity in an interview with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Praying that his family will “open their eyes to Jesus,” he expressed love for his enemies and claimed Muslims’ conversion to Christianity is the only way to have a chance for peace in the Holy Land.
Yousef, 30, said his first exposure to Christianity came in Jerusalem about eight years ago, when he was invited to learn about the faith. He converted four years ago, but did not tell his father. “For years I helped my father, the Hamas leader, and he didn’t know that I had converted, only that I had Christian friends,” he said to Haaretz.
His father, Sheikh Yousef, was a founder of the extremist group Hamas in the West Bank and was imprisoned for several years for his membership in the organization.
Masab-Joseph Yousef, the oldest of eight siblings, was expected to take an active role assisting in the political work of his father, whom he claimed is opposed to killing civilians. He characterized the Israelis’ arrests of his father as very influential events in his life.
“I only knew that the Israeli army had arrested my father repeatedly, and for me he was everything: a good, loving man who would do anything for me. He took care of us, bought us gifts, gave of himself, whereas the soldiers entered our house and took him away from me.”
Arrested at the age of 18 for his leadership role in his high school Islamic society, Yousef told Haaretz he discovered in prison that most Hamas members were not as admirable as his father.
“Their leaders in prison received better conditions, such as the best food, as well as more family visits and towels for the shower. These people have no morals, they have no integrity,” he said, alleging Hamas leaders also embezzle money meant for widowed families.
Yousef, who now lives in California, described how an invitation to learn more about Christianity led him to convert.
“I was very enthusiastic about what I heard. I began to read the Bible every day and I continued with religion lessons. I did it in secret, of course. I used to travel to the Ramallah hills, to places like the Al Tira neighborhood, and to sit there quietly with the amazing landscape and read the Bible.”
“A verse like ‘Love thine enemy’ had a great influence on me,” he continued. “At this stage I was still a Muslim and I thought that I would remain one. But every day I saw the terrible things done in the name of religion by those who considered themselves ‘great believers.’”
I am reminded of St. Francis’ project to end the Crusades by converting the Islamic world to Christianity, on the theory that it is better to make Christians than destroy Moslems - it didn’t work, of course, but not for lack of trying on St. Francis’ part. A very different world would it be had success crowned his efforts…
Aside from that, the story here is important because it shows that cross-cultural understanding between Islam and Christianity is possible. Someone looked past Yousef’s background and decided to introduce to him a new idea, and the courage that person showed has been rewarded by the development of a man who not only doesn’t kill for his religion, but can’t even comprehend the concept any longer. We need not fight each other forever, provided we recognise our common humanity and see in the other person another glorious creation of God, and not an enemy.
Entry Filed under: Foreign Affairs, Religion, War on Terror
19 Comments
1. js | August 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
what is so amazing is tha yousef didnt have a clue what the Bible was while he was growing up…even though the koran endorses it as the injil…meaning the good news (derived from greek-evangel)
the truth is that so many muslims condemn all other religions, but 90% of them have no idea about what those religion are…
2. neil ROBERT OSBORN | August 16th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Praise to our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this miracle of conversion. And what made the biggest impact is this Verse our of Matthew 5:44
44But I tell you: Love your enemies[a] and pray for those who persecute you,
With which shown the biggest contrast between Christianity versus Moslem. Nobody is beyond the power of the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12
3. Robert | August 16th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
“We need not fight each other forever, provided we recognise our common humanity and see in the other person another glorious creation of God, and not an enemy.” - Mark Noonan
Wow!!! Mark, this is the most true and amazing thing you have said on this blog yet.
However, what if it was the other way around. What if this man had converted from Christianity to Islam, or from Christianity to Buddism, or from Christianity to Native American religions, or from Christianity to Wicca, or from Christianity to Agnostisism or Athiesm (you get the point)
Would you still feel the same way as you do in this quote?
Would you still look at agnostics and Buddists and Muslims and the like as “another person amd another glorious creation of God, and not an enemy?”
Or are you only applauding this man for coverting to Christianity?
I am just curious as to whether you TRULY do belive that anyone from any religion can be a good person, and should be seen as a glorious creation of God and not an enemy.”
Just curious. Maybe you have some hope of being a reasonable person after all.
4. neocon | August 16th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Robert,
Considering how you and your ilk treat Lieberman, I wonder if the same can be said about you. What if a liberal converted to conservatism? What if they converted to a Christian right position? Would you still treat them with respect?
Do you have any hope of being a resonable person?
5. Canuckguy | August 16th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Mark:
–Don’t get too excited over that conversion. A lot more non-muslims are converted to Islam than what they lose.
–I live in a small canuck town, mostly white, and what few Muslims we have are upper class(in the medical fields for the most part). I personally know two people(a female and a male) in their mid 20’s who converted in order to marry Muslims. Naturally the children will be raised Muslim. And that’s just my small town example.
–I could be wrong, but I believe what happened in my town is happening on a much larger scale in the bigger cities where the Muslim population is concentrated.
–This son of a Hamas convert is just a very rare exception and means nothing in the big picture of things.
6. neocon | August 16th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
“This son of a Hamas convert is just a very rare exception and means nothing in the big picture of things.” - Canuck
Whew! Thanks for that. Wouldn’t want that conversion to Christianity thing get in the way of glorifying Islam.
Thanks for setting the record straight.
7. neil | August 16th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Praise the Lord! A soul saved from the fire of hell is one more enjoying eternity with Jesus Christ. I am not anti other religions as much as I am excited about someone getting saved. A Christian lives more a life of peace than most. We are not trying to force conversions at gun point or threat of death like some other religions. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
8. Robert | August 17th, 2008 at 1:08 am
neocon,
You apparently do not get the same thing that Mark does not get - NOT ALL LIBERALS ARE THE SAME!!! We are not all like you THINK we are.
I would have no problem with a Liberal who turned to Conservativism, provided that they did not take a holier than thou attitude because they were Conservative or Christian. The problem is not being Conservative. It is about being a self-righteous egomaniac
Everyone is entitled to his or her beliefs and values, and should be treated with respect for those values. Even if you disagree with what they stand for, they deserve respect and humanity.
The mistake of Islamic fanatics is that they do not see the value in those who believe differently than them. They are more willing to try to eradicate or convert those they disagree with than find peacable solutions to their differences.
However, the SAME can be said about Christian fanatics. Those people like Jerry Falwell who condemn any who are not Chrstian and say they are going to Hell if they do not share Christian beliefs. Those Christians who show little respect to others with different belief systems are on a “slippery slope” (a stupid blogging term I hate, but will use here for its appropriateness). This slippery slope will eventually lead them to the same hatred that Islamic fanatics have. ( I wonder if people like Jeremiah here are already on this path, since he spews so much hatred of non-Christians and Liberals ).
The point here is that fanatics of ANY religion are quite unreasonable. Fanatics of ANY religion can spell doom to many innocent people. And it all starts with people persecuting others for their beliefs and treating them without any respect if they believe differently than you.
What many of you “Neocons” need to learn is that many Liberals are NOT immoral Godless heathens who want to destroy our country. Many are great, upstanding, honest, caring and hardworking people who reach out to others every day and try to make a difference in the world. But all too often, Conservatives ignorantly call that trait “bleeding heart Liberals.”
Please learn to see that every Liberal is not out to get you and ruin the world you claim to care about. Many of us just want to help EVERYONE in this world, regardless of their race, creed, or religion. ALL people are equal in the eyes of God.
9. Jeremiah | August 17th, 2008 at 1:27 am
ALL people are equal in the eyes of God.
Yes, even little babies in the womb, God sees as equal!
10. Mark Noonan | August 17th, 2008 at 1:36 am
Canuck,
The reason there are less conversions inside the Moslem world is because you’d be killed if it was discovered - apostasy is a death penalty in most of the Moslem world. Up in your little world, its not - so, no harm, no foul in converting to Islam (and probably conversion from purely nominal Christianity, if even that). Of course, this doesn’t stop it from happening - I have it from first-hand authority that there are a lot more Christians in the Moslem world than are known…all very secretive, though in some countries its given tacit approval.
11. neocon | August 17th, 2008 at 9:06 am
“It is about being a self-righteous egomaniac” - Robert
That describes 99% of liberals and more than half of the Democratic Party.
“However, the SAME can be said about Christian fanatics.” - Robert
Christian fanatics don’t even closely resemble Islam fanatics. Try and ground yourself a little bit in reality.
Tell me the difference between a religious fanatic and a global warming fanatic. Tell me the difference between a religious fanatic and an “right to choose” fanatic. Tell me the difference between a religious fanatic and a “gay rights” fanatic.
It’s wonderful that you want to help all people of the world, however you’ll need to open your eyes a little first and deal with reality, and not your perceived reality viewed through the liberal prism.
12. Robert | August 17th, 2008 at 11:54 am
neocon,
As I have said, All fanatics can be unreasonable. However, the people that tend towards these paths are probably a little unbalanced or brainwashed to begin with.
And Christians CAN be evil fanatics. Watch the movie “Jesus Camp” and you’ll see what I mean. These kids are being brainwashed. Period. Conservatives have the audacity to say that Liberals “indoctrinate” people at unversities. In the movie “Jesus Camp” the kids are being heavily indoctrinated. Period.
And BTW, most Liberals I know are NOT the least bit egotistical. Most are humble and grateful and caring. I for one work every day with kids with disabilities, trying to give them a better life. I live in Pennsylvania, and most people are simple folk who really do try to reach out to their neighbors - Liberal OR Conservative.
Many Christian groups are the ones who persecute others for their beliefs. That is one reason I turned away from Christianity. I was tired of being told I was going to Hell and less of a person because I dared to question the authority and validity of the Bible. With many Christians, if you have an imagination and creativity, and dare to believ there is more to the Universe than the Christian God, you are ridiculed and outcast.
Please, Conservatives need to understand that THEIR actions also have an impact on people, and sometimes when they force religions down people’s throats, it turns them away.
Maybe Jeremiah needs to take a lesson here, and let people come to their own conclusions about God. If Conservatives and SOME Christians REALLY cared about individual rights and Liberty, then they would allow people to make up their own minds without telling them they are wrong for everything they believe.
And, BTW, Rush Limbaugh REALLY needs to take a class in humility. I have never seen someone so egotistical in my life, except maybe for G.W. Bush.
13. neocon | August 17th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
“And BTW, most Liberals I know are NOT the least bit egotistical. Most are humble and grateful and caring. I for one work every day with kids with disabilities, trying to give them a better life.” - Robert
You obviously haven’t met Pain:
“84. Pain | June 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 am
81. neocon | June 22nd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Do We feel superior to white American Christians?
Sure considering that We are smarter, wealthier, and can multilocate We, Ourselves of the Collective feel that means We are in many ways “superior.”
However, We do not feel We have the right to block their pursuit of happiness, their right to free speech or their right to life and liberty because of Our special nature! One can be “superior” and still not be oppressive or arrogant.”
Robert,
You are attempting to come off as a caring independent with a liberal slant, yet you are still prepetuating baseless liberal propaganda. Your assertion that Christianity is inherently bad and the your reference to one obscure movie to prove your point is laughable.
Also, much of what Rush does is satirical, however often very poignant, and your inability to identify that further reveals your allegiance to the liberal paradigm.
You really have a distorted opinion of Gods word, no doubt realized because of your blind allegiance to the propaganda.
14. Jeremiah | August 17th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Maybe Jeremiah needs to take a lesson here, and let people come to their own conclusions about God. If Conservatives and SOME Christians REALLY cared about individual rights and Liberty, then they would allow people to make up their own minds–Robert
Robert,
In your worldview, what should a right to privacy entail?
Did the Menendez brothers have a “right” to do what they done to their parents?
Or, in more recent news, a young man 28 years murdering both his parents with a hoe.
What about Ted Bundy, who murdered numerous young girls, and the things he done to their dead bodies?
You say we should allow people to make up their own minds what their rights are, but how can people know what ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ are when we don’t help them … in that case, what should the law mean, and does the law have any meaning if we allow them to make their own choices.
If we allow people to make their own choices, how will they affect others?
How can there be purpose in life if there is no right and wrong?
How can people help each other, if we see our own way as the “right” way?
If I believe one thing, and you believe something else, who is right?
What if God had not defined sin, where would we be?
Wouldn’t there be anarchy?
15. Robert | August 17th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Jeremiah,
I for one very well know the meaning of right and wrong. I have tried my entire life to live right, I have tried my entire life to be the best man I can be. I have tried my entire life to help others. I do not partake in alcohol, drugs, and promiscuous sex. I treat women with respect, people of other races with respect, and (OH, NO - God forbid) I treat gay people with respect. I do not always agree with people’s choices, but I also do not put them down.
Yet I am not a Christian.
That does not make me better than anyone else. It makes my point of view just as valid as other’s even though I do not believe the same religion as you do.
In your view, no matter how hard anyone tries in this world to help others, no matter how wonderful and good of a person they are. No matter whether they cure cancer or simply stay true to their wife and family - they will go to Hell unless they are Christian.
Jeremiah, I just cannot believe that. I cannot believe that God would make good people suffer for all eternity because they didn’t “get Saved”. If God is like that, He is a VERY cruel God indeed.
I just can’t believe that a friend of mine, a MIT graduate and a professor in genetics at a prestigious Uinversity, a woman who is an absolute genius and works her tail off every day to help people is going to Hell because she is Hindu. Sorry, Jeremiah, I just don’t buy it.
Oh, and so far as murderers go, I do have a very unique experience in such a topic. Less than two years ago, my father was brutally beaten to death by a man who he had just met that day and he was trying to help by giving him a place to stay for the night. My father tried to reach out to help others and instead was murdered, slaughtered by some punk kid.
As far as my own feelings go, the criminal in question received life in prison, and although I would prefer him dead, I hope he suffers every day as he rots away in jail, never to see his kids or wife again.
So you see, Jeremiah, I understand right and wrong. I try every day to do right. And guess what, I am not a Christian!!!!
Non-Christians and Liberals ARE sometimes good people. I wish you could see that.
And by the way - this is for neocon too - I don’t “swallow propaganda.” I have felt this way since I was 12 years old. I am NOT brainwashed. I see the good AND bad in our society and just want to see us do the best for ourselves. There are bad Liberals and bad Conservatives, there are good Liberals and good Conservatives.
We need to stop blaming the other side and hating our differences, and realize that we are ALL people. Stop shifting all the blame to Liberals and claiming that people like me are just reciting party lines, because that is NOT the case. Period.
Oh, and guys, show some HUMILITY.
16. Jeremiah | August 17th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I just can’t believe that a friend of mine, a MIT graduate and a professor in genetics at a prestigious Uinversity, a woman who is an absolute genius and works her tail off every day to help people is going to Hell because she is Hindu. Sorry, Jeremiah, I just don’t buy it.
Robert,
Well, I’m not going to question God because he created us for his glory, and if I confide in myself, then I can never be happy, because no one could ever do for me what Jesus done, and there is no man worthy of his place. He took on the sin of the whole world (God’s wrath) just for me, just for you, just for Jessica, just for Mark, just for Matt, just for Timmy, just for Elizabeth, just for Tyler, just for Christopher, just for Luke, just for James, just for Anne, just for just for Barack, just for Hillary, just for Allen, just for Julie … for every living person (the ultimate form of love), and it is free because we have a choice. He selflessly suffered and died for you, so you’ve been forgiven and now it’s up to you whether or not you choose to believe and accept it. God sends no one to Hell, it is your choice, and no good work comes except from the Father, so what anyone does here thinking of it as a “good work” and not doing it in the name of Jesus is doing it to please themselves, we call it Eros love. Not the same as Agape love. What pleases you can’t please the Father, because He gave you life, and now you must choose.
Does she know that Jesus died for her?
17. Robert | August 17th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Jeremiah,
Oh, come off it - not all people do good works to please themselves. We do it to see a little child with cancer walk again. We do it to see a kid with Autism learn to spell his name. We do it for many reasons. But just because someone is not Christian does not mean that they are selfish.
There are good people who are not Christian. Period!
18. Jeremiah | August 17th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
We do it to see a little child with cancer walk again.–Robert
Robert,
It is only by God’s Grace that someone walks away from cancer. God works through the doctors, and He mainly works through prayer.
He really appreciates doctors who give him all the glory, just like my doctor, he is a physician, a Bible study leader, does missionary work.
I was sick two years ago, I couldn’t think, couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, I was losing my hair, my kidneys were shutting down…I couldn’t figure it out, I was so weak I couldn’t even hardly move my mouth to utter as much as a word…..I wanted to die. Well, so happens, when I went to the doctor, got a blood test, and next morning, he calls and says…your TSH is 150+, he said it was a miracle that was even alive…so I went and got me some Synthroid.
Now that I think back, I’m glad I’m still living, and hope for the future, because God spared me….he still has purpose for my life, and everything that I do, I want to uplift Him in it all.
His name is wonderful, Consellour, Great Phyician, Jehovah Jireh (Provider), King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus … my Lord!
Amen!
:)
19. Smith | September 10th, 2008 at 7:33 am
This is a very informative post, i was searching in google for brain Cancer and came across this post. My niece is suffering from Bone Cancer, information mention in this article will greatly help me in offering her some advice.