Son of Hamas

Son of Hamas
By: Mosab Hassan Yousef

This book is AMAZING!!! This is the autobiography of Mosab Hassan Yousef who grew up in Palestine. He is the oldest son (out of 7 kids) of Sheikh Hassan Yousef - one of the seven founders of Hamas (also known as the Muslim Brotherhood).

Growing up Mosab speaks of knowing his father was one of the most prominate leaders of Islam, but figured that it was because of his love for the people, the fact that he was a teacher, and came from one of the most religious families of the Middle East.  His father would get up early, go to mosque, teach, head to his second job, and not come home until well after midnight. What the family did not know was that their father was meeting with 6 others to reinforce the Muslim Brotherhood, this time making it stronger (and changing the name).  As Mosab got older and finished school, his father gave him a job helping him out with his local politics (serving as an assistant to his father who would be considered a mayor).  But someone else wanted him to help out...the Shin Bet (Israel's equivalent to our CIA).
By taking on the job, Mosab began living a double life: working for Hamas (as his father's assistant) and getting the inside information for Shin Bet. For years, he saw abject poverty, abuse of power, toture, and death. He met with many Middle Eastern political figures such as Yasser Arafat (head of PLO), Marwan Baarghouti (Secretary General of Fatah),  Ariel Sharon (Israeli Prime Minister), and many others.

As Mosab lived his double life, he was able to learn about several other religions. One of these being Christianity. Not only was Mosab living life playing a Muslim, but he began learning more and more about the Bible and a man named Jesus Christ.  Slowly Mosab began to doubt all that Islam stood for and realized that many things (bombings, torture of others, stealing, and the lies) done in the name of "Allah" was a sham. 

By the age of 27, Mosab said good bye to his family, friends,  Israel, his jobs, money (he made lots working for the Shin Bet), and everything he had ever known to move to the United States. His family disowned him, he had no job, no place to live, but Mosab was determined to completely depend upon the Lord. 

This autobiography is amazing!!! I have always wondered how many Muslims have turned to Christ (not that God can't work in their lives any way He chooses), but this is an amazing story of how one Muslim not only turns away from his family, but also his religion, and way of life (Israel).  This is a MUST read!!!!