The Arab World is the spiritual heartland of Islam. It is the birthplace of Islam, home to its holiest shrines, and guardian of the Qur’an. Yet in reality, Arabic is a family of languages. Arabic dialects vary widely, and most Arabs today find the seventh-century Qur’anic vocabulary confusing. As a result, many Arab Muslims are seeking direction from other sources. Such was the case of Amaal.

Amaal was a 23-year old Muslim girl with a smile that could light up a room. Like so many Egyptians, she was warm and friendly, and curious about Westerners. This led her to a friendship with a Christian family from America who showed her the love of Christ and led her to faith in Him.

Amaal’s immediate impulse was to share her new faith with her mother. After watching the Jesus film together, Amaal’s mother said, “I should kill you for this.” Amaal was stunned, and soon became concerned that her uncle would do what her mother couldn’t.

Amaal left home and found a job in a resort hotel, only to have her boss attempt to blackmail her in exchange for sexual favors. Amaal fled again and was soon arrested by the police. “Tell us who has converted you,” they demanded, “and we will let you go.”

When I found Amaal a year later, she was hiding in the home of a kind Muslim couple. I gave her a New Testament and promised to meet her again. Knowing I would have only one day with Amaal before leaving the country, I wondered what were the most important Scripture verses I could share with this sister whose faith had cost her so much.

I didn’t have to wonder long. Amaal had devoured the first 10 chapters of Matthew’s
Gospel. “Listen to this,” she said.

Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you … On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:17–20)

Amaal looked at me, tears in her eyes. Her smile had returned. “He knew,” she said, “Jesus knew!” For Amaal, it was enough: Jesus knew her situation and would always be with her. “Jesus is inside me now,” she said, pointing to her heart. “He will never leave me.”

---

LET’S PRAY

• Pray for Muslim-background believers liken Amaal who suffer persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ.
• Pray for the youth of the Arab World to have the opportunity to learn about other faiths without persecution or threats.
• Pray for political and religious leaders in the Arab World to support freedom for their people to explore and pursue their own understanding of God

Post credited to the editors at Worldchristian: visit http://www. worldchristianconcern.org/donate to support mission efforts to reach the unreached for Christ.