A young and by all account passionate Christian man was stabbed to death in the Gaza Strip this past weekend in an incident that should highlight precisely the kind of “free” and “tolerant” society the Bush Administration and the international community are trying to create by pushing for the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state.
The young man in question, 31-year-old Rami Ayyad, was the director of Gaza’s only major Christian bookstore, and had been repeatedly threatened by local Muslim elements for his sharing of the Gospel. It would seem he was not intimidated by those threats, and continued to share the love and message of the Lord. He paid for his faith and faithfulness with his life. Ayyad was married with two small children and a third on the way.
Regurgitating the propaganda of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, the international media maintains that relations between Christians and Muslims in Gaza are generally good. The reality is that attacks and acts of intimidation have been increasing for years, and that Christians there are merely tolerated, and that only when they submit to dhimmi status. The most at risk are those who, like Ayyad, share the Gospel with their Muslim neighbors, and those who accept that message and open their hearts to the Lord (they are locally referred to as MBBs - Muslim Background Believers, because they live in fear of shedding the title “Muslim”).
It is sickening to me that the world is always at the ready to jump on Israel over any and every alleged infringement of freedom of religion, but completely ignores the plight of Palestinian Christians persecuted by their Muslim overlords. What frustrates me even more are those American Christian organizations and churches that actively bolster the claim that it is Israel that oppresses these Christians.
Israel did not kill Ayyad. Israel did not bomb Ayyad’s bookstore or the Gaza Bible Society that runs it. Israel does not send threatening letters to Arab Christians who dare to share the love of Jesus with their Muslim neighbors. It is time to stop misappropriating blame and time to start supporting brave souls like Ayyad who put everything on the line, literally, to bring the truth where it is most dangerous to do so.
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17 comments so far ↓
1 David in Oregon // Oct 8, 2007 at 9:05 pm
This reminds me of the discussion on “Misrepresenting Chritian Values” between a Pastor named Matthew and Ryan. Loving the Muslims and praying for them is one thing, but trying to be a personal witness to them by sharing the gospel is quite another. While we should all be willing to die for our faith, we should not attemt to cast our pearls before swine or give what is holy to dogs.I am not saying that muslims or Arabs are swine or dogs but that the warning from our Lord should be taken to heart, that there are some who will turn on you and rend you. The best we can do is pray. Let’s not be fooled. They know the gospel already, they just choose not to believe or act on it. Unfortunately, this is also true of some Jews.
We must continue to stand strong for Israel, pray for our Christian brothers everywhere and assist when we can. I hope there is Christian support for the poor widow and two children of this brother who has been martyred for Yeshua. If there is organized relief for them it should be posted.
2 ED in Oregon // Oct 8, 2007 at 10:37 pm
IT is not hard to believe any of this. I am just wondering how long it will be before it is illegal to speak in the name of JESUS here in Oregon or anyplace in the States???
Some number of incidents may have to take place for the GOD HEAD to remove the body. This a.m. we ask the Father to put the clamps on the Muslim killer crowd, so we can have more time to reach the isolated territories. The Church at large has mostly failed in its mission. We have to finish the job for them. We get the USGS earthquake reports daily. The quakes have radically increased in the last year. If the book on The Devils Triangle is correct, then the earthquakes are part of the end time of Hell expanding for those rejecting the Gospel. Something so simple as inheriting Eternal Life is widely not popular. I used to work for ESI in Beaverton, Oregon. The thought of them having a sin nature to deal with was quite humous. I even bought a car from one of the gals laughing at me. She lied totally about it never having a collision. So much for the sin nature. I repaired the body and drive train.
3 David in Oregon // Oct 8, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Hello Ed: I don’t know your location in Oregon but it is nice to communicate with a neighbor who is a brother. I am in the Redmond area. If you worked in Beaverton I assume you are somewhere in the Portland area, so Shalom brother in the wonderful Name of Yeshua!
You mentioned the Lord removing the Body! I fear you are influenced by the pre-trib rapture teaching. I personally don’t believe in the pre-trib rapture. While it is too large a doctrine to try and debate here, I would just like to encourage you to look very very closely at that teaching. If we are looking for the Lord to take us out before the tribulation we will not be prepared for it if He doesn’t. Keep watching brother and be prepared. There is a very large and strong movement in America of Messianics who are making preparations. We know the Lord will protect us and keep us, but there was never a time when God’s people were taken out of the way before judgment on the nations. Not even Noah is an example of this as many teach. So, like I said, I do not wish to debate it, only to warn you. I believed and preached the pre-trib rapture for many years before I finally saw the truth. Even the Children of Israel went through the plagues in Egypt, though the Lord protected them. There is another Exodus coming so if you want to believe in the pre-trib rapture just make sure you are prepared otherwise. If you are right and I am wrong, I will be raptured out with you and believing otherwise will do me no harm. I am safe in Yeshua either way. If I am right and the pre-trib rapture believers are wrong, I will be prepared and they probably will not be. I hope I can help with their needs when the time comes. I believe it is upon us. No man knows the day or hour, however we can see the signs. I believe the Islamic terror that is sweeping the world is one of those signs. Hasatan is raising up his armies. So as we are warned, let’s keep the Commandments of God (Torah) and the Testamony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12: 17 identifies the remnant in just that way. I have the testamony of Jesus Christ and I am trying to learn to walk according to The Commandments of God (Torah) as was taught and demonstrated by our Lord and His Holy Apostles.
Baruch HaShem Yah! Baruch Yeshua HaMashiach! (Jesus Christ our Adonai)
4 Nathan // Oct 10, 2007 at 1:43 am
Does it really surprise people that the barbarians in Gaza threaten and intimidate Christians that is what Muslims do for a living as well as terrorizing Jews?
Why those people live in that utter shit hole is a question I can only wonder about.
It just goes to show you how “understanding” and “caring” the Muslims in Gaza are, just worthless. When are we going to start dropping bombs on them.
Go Iron Dome!!!
5 bruce // Oct 15, 2007 at 9:12 pm
the only way to stop fanatical barbarians from killing us is to kill them first and keep your powder dry.
6 bruce // Oct 15, 2007 at 9:26 pm
i am a real american as opposed to phony americas like the clinton crime fanily or traitors like nancy pilosi,reid.kennedy and schumer.i belive that most real americans support israel and strongly disagree with sectary rice we know that she is talking to the wrong people.it is obvious that the trouble makers are muslim occupiers of sini,gaza and judea samaria.
7 Charles // Oct 18, 2007 at 12:00 am
The Bush bunch is far worse than all the rest . Just look at what they are doing and have done .
8 Nathan // Oct 18, 2007 at 2:39 am
Bruce — you are exactly right, very insightful.
9 KarenMarie // Oct 19, 2007 at 3:44 am
L-rd, I share the following prayers and thoughts with you - and any who in spirit, heart and soul choose to embrace the bonds of love that you ask us to walk in with each other.
My heart is very heavy with sorrow for what surely must have been moments of intense horror both physically and emotionally for Rami Ayyad as he suffered a death of great and grievious cruelty. As I read the account of his death, I stood with him in spirit. Obviously, I did not literally touch what he experienced - yet, you move the heart to depth of realization so that it can be understood, moreso, the importance of praying without ceasing for all your beloved no matter where they are on this earth.
It saddens my soul to again realize that the spirit and thoughts of people who committ acts of vengenance and hateful murders, reveal a barbarian nature for which there are insuffient words to express its outward reflection of inner sickness. The depth of Satan and the destructions wrought by wickedness, though prevailing for a space of time, are overcome and undone. Let us see this clearly in spirit as we walk through the darkness of days not yet complete.
While our minds are so often occupied with the affairs of our days - your Holy Spirit within us prays. Thank you for this L-rd - your provisions are full of grace, mercy and unfailing love.
Please L-rd, by the very love and peace of your Son, I ask in His name that you cover Mr. Ayyad’s wife and family with everything that your all knowing eye see’s they need.
And I pray that your Spirit within each of us reminds us as needed to pray for one another according your will of love.
In Jesus Name I have prayed and thank you for receiving these prayers through His love and righteousness - Amen - And So Be It According To Your Will.
10 Ann Gleason // Oct 19, 2007 at 8:14 am
It is his family we must pray for.
We know that angels sang Rami’s welcome as he met the King of Kings.
I pray he felt no pain ……. like Daniel (in the oven).
One day we can ask him about the pain…….., if we stay faithful.
I know that Rami Ayyad’s death was witnessed by our Lord Jesus. HE may have “stood up” in Heaven. (The only time scripture recorded HIM doing this was at Stephen’s death). He is the faithful and merciful GOD who tells us not to fear.
I wonder if there was a “Paul” there, too?
May God bless and keep you and yours.
Ann in Alabama
11 KarenMarie // Oct 19, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Hello Ann in Alabama,
Yes, I can hope that Rami bypassed physical suffering. And I concur that the L-rd witnessed all he endured. I think this though - if we all thought physical suffering’s were to be bypassed due to spiritual principle, couldn’t we become hardened of heart so to speak and neglect the physical suffering’s people do endure and literally feel?
I am not saying that Rami may not have escaped the physical pain - rather I am just looking for a balance of how one views the physical horrors human’s endure.
I can’t give my email addy out online because in times past I have gotten bombed with spamming emails - but if you want to ask for it from Ryan, I don’t mind if he gives it to you if you might care to further respond.
Shalom in the Spirit of G-ds Truth and Love - Karen
12 Isaiah53 // Nov 4, 2007 at 6:20 am
I love and support Israel and my brothers and sisters who live there, but I will tell you this: Israel didn’t bomb my house and they didn’t stab me with a knife of steel. But when I applied for dual citizenship, I was kissed off as though I had plague due to being a Christian. My family has been Christian for many generations but our Jewish roots are deep. The knife wound was as bad as if it had been steel, my status in Israel is the counterpart to Dhimmi whatever that is in Hebrew.
I do not hold anger at my brothers and sisters who are Sabra, but I am their friend and would willingly die in their defense. Rather my anger is aimed at the blindness of the government and the situation that makes these kinds of incidents unavoidable.
13 Isaiah53 // Nov 4, 2007 at 6:24 pm
David in Oregon #3
I do not argue over the rapture. What you or I believe means nothing to God. Truth is. But each and every High holy day was observed and fulfilled by Yeshua before he left the earth. All but one, the feast of trumpets. It has no Jewish counterpart. It falls on Rosh Hashannah because the Jews don’t know what it represents. The observance states; A convocation of the blowing of trumpets, and upon hearing the trumpet blast from Jerusalem believers are to go immediately to Jerusalem they are not to return home for anytrhing. This feast day remains to be fulfilled but it requires our personal perticipation. That is the rapture. As to security; the rapture might happen at any moment. But on the day when the beast is recognized Daniel the prophet gives the exact number of days until Jesus Christ returns to earth, but the element of surprise is lost. With Love.
14 jim in nelson bc // Nov 12, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Hi All
tragic what the lies of the enemy have produced
God bless and help his family
… and may the world wake up before it is too late
They are all caught in the Matrix with no hope with out Yeshuah
yrs
old hippy
15 Prophet of Zoom // Dec 14, 2007 at 4:48 am
You are all victims of propaganda. For though the persecution from Arabs you speak of is true enough, do you realize how HATED our Christian faith is among the JEWS in Israel? I heard with my own ears as Rabbi Tovia Singer of Israel National Radio declared that a messianic parade through the streets of Jerusalem reminded him of the time the GAYS had a parade in Jerusalem. His guest , a rabid anti-missionary activist echoed, “it’s worse than the gay parade.” There you have it, zionist sheeple. In the minds of many Jews we Christians are worse than Sodomites.
But wait theres more. Have you heard of the anti-missionary movement in Israel made up of thousands of zealous Jews who use intimidation and vandalism on messianic meeting places? Painting buildings with slurs, slashing tires, firebombing churches? They spend millions of dollars to infiltrate local messianic congregations and “de-program” Jews who have converted to what they consider a Christ-cult. They seek to outlaw the preaching of the gospel in Israel-THE BIRTHPLACE OF JESUS CHRIST! Yet this is the great middle eastern democracy. Freedom of religion? Hardly. If they could out law missions, what then would they do to a missionary they caught preaching ? Throw them in jail? We are right back in the book of Acts.
You zionists are unwitting victims of a trans-Atlantic strategy to capture evangelical loyalty for thier own political and finacial ends. You are nothing but useful fools to them! They are using your money and your votes to steer U.S. politicians and build a bigger war machine .
Israeli political and religious action committees are stroking the likes of John Hagee with promises of divine favor if we will turn a blind eye to Israeli oppression and victimization of Arabs and Christians and sing the praises of Israel to the lazy info-spoonfed Christians of America.
As for me, I will sing the praises of the Son of David, for he is the only rightful King of Israel. But they have rejected their Messiah King and they suffer for it from generation to generation. They do not even obey the torah and it’s commands of justice and fairness towards aliens in thier land. If they would have searched their scriptures and learned what God commanded them concerning the alien in the land back at the turn of the century, they would not have suffered so much at the hands of Arabs whose irrational hatred is fueled by Israeli racism.
I am a hard core bible believing preacher of the gospel who must speak out to the Judaizers in the Body of Christ who would have us turn away from the simplicity of the precious blood stained cross to a blue and white flag stained with the blood of the innocent Jews and Arabs sacrificed in the name of a sanctimonious land grab.
16 Al // Dec 16, 2007 at 4:09 am
Dear “Prophet of Zoom”:
It is true that there are those in Judaism that regard believers in Yeshua as their worst enemy. I speak from personal experience having dealt with Meir Kahane’s Jewish Defence League while I was a student at Queens College in New York City many years ago. But to paint those of us at this forum as naive shows that you don’t really know who we are and what we believe.
For myself, I echo the words of Rabbi Shaul(you know him as the apostle Paul). The majority of the Jewish people are opposed to the gospel, but they are (with emphasis) STILL beloved for the sake of the forefathers (Romans 11:28-29). If you claim to be a true follower of the Jewish Messiah, then please act accordingly. Satan has thrown the Jewish people enought obstacles to keep them from seeing their Messiah. Let’s not contribute to his efforts ourselves. We love the Jewish people because God provided our Savior and Atonement from sin through them. On top of that, Yeshua is still Jewish even though He sits at the right hand of God right now. He was, is and will always be a Jew. Otherwise He couldn’t be the Messiah.
I recommend you browse through this website a little more carefully before you start handing down judgments on people you hardly know.
17 Rami Ayyad // May 4, 2008 at 1:50 am
As a christian from Gaza which happens to have the same name as the deceased(my second cousin), you people sicken me. The roots of Palestinian terrorism has never been religious. Its been the suffering and the daily struggle of Palestinians(muslims, christians, samaritans, armenians, etc) brought about by israelis for the sole purpose of the Zionist Experiment….So in the end, go F**K yourselves…
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