The following piece is written by a recent convert to Christianity. His story, his life and his conversion are unique. Yet, the reaction to his conversion by the Islamic society in which he lived is, unfortunately, repeated in many parts of the Muslim world. Islam is a religion that does not allow exit visas.

Mohammad became a Christian while he was a student at Waikato Institute of Technology in New Zealand. When he returned to his home country to spend the holidays with his family and friends, he was severely assaulted and tortured by Islamic militants for his newly-chosen religious faith, political beliefs and for arguing for basic human rights for repressed minorities in his country, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. His life is now under a threat as a result of an Islamic fatwa . He was declared a “murtad” (meaning someone who has renounced his/her faith, namely the religion of Islam and Allah). In addition, he has received the judgment of a death penalty from Islamic militants. Recently, with the help of the Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights, he escaped from the country of his birth and is now residing in Australia. This move has saved his life. A return to the country of his origin would mean that the death sentence issued against him would most certainly be carried out by enforcers of the fatwa.

Mohammad was born into a family with a strong Muslim background. In school, Mohammad excelled in academics and won many top honors. During his college years, he was also very active in political affairs. His political activities were noticed by Islamic political organizations, as Mohammed opposed their narrow view of politics. He became a champion of human rights causes and also, unfortunately, a target of Islamists. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, he left for New Zealand to pursue a graduate degree at the Waikato Institute.

While in New Zealand, Mohammad came in contact with James Muir of the All Nations Christian Fellowship at the Faith Bible College. Through discussions with Rev. Muir, Mohammad developed a strong interest in Christianity. On August 4, 2003, Mohammed accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized, along with a cousin, by James Muir.

Shortly after that life-changing event, Mohammad returned home to spend time with his family and friends. He kept his conversion to Christianity a secret but continued to speak out on political matters and injustices in his country. He strongly spoke in defense of religious minorities. Rumors then spread that Mohammad was, indeed, a kafir (a non-believer, true believers being only those belonging to the Islamic faith.) The word “kafir” is known throughout the Islamic world as a derogatory term.

Mohammad’s parents finally confronted their son about the accusations against him. In the safety of his own home, he admitted to his parents that he had become a Christian. His parents declared that they would not support his decision nor would they continue financial support for his education in New Zealand. On the afternoon of Sept. 5, 2003, Mohammad was kidnapped by Islamists. He was taken to an Islamic academic institution where he was put in a room and tied to a chair with ropes. His was asked by his Islamic tormenters to reject Christianity and return to Islam. They pleaded with him to use his education to wage jihad against the USA and its allies. He was warned that conversion to another religion meant a death sentence for him. When he refused their commands to reject Jesus as his Savior, he was severely beaten and received electric shock treatments. Mohammad fell unconscious. When he awoke in the middle of the night, he was alone. A miracle happened. With the blessings of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, he found the door to his room unlocked and, after dragging himself from the room, his torture chamber, he escaped the building through a ventilator shaft.

Mohammad took shelter with a friend. He began to send faxes and e-mails for help. It was at this time that he began to work with the Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights. However, the love of his family remained strong and he longed to visit his parents, despite the dangers that such a visit could mean for him. Mohammed set out to see his parents. On Sept. 28, 2003 he was again captured by mujahedins . They hit him on the head, beat him and took positions around him for a final kill. One of the mujahedins tried to stab him. He protected himself with his hand. The knife went deep inside the palm of his right hand. He also received a serious cut above his eye.

Again, a miracle happened. With the assistance of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the appearance of several friends, he was able to escape the mujahedins and flee to safety. A friend, a medical assistant, offered him first aid. In the meantime, hand-bills appeared on the streets, demanding to know of the “kafir’s” whereabouts and promising death when he was captured. During this stressful time, a brave journalist, who writes of the plight of minorities, interviewed Mohammad. However, his article was turned down by his newspaper. The editors feared that because the article would be published during the time of Ramadan, the story might enflame Muslim readers.

After another harrowing escape, Mohammad is now in Australia. He misses his family and his homeland very much. He is being supported by a number of Christians. He is safe for the moment. But, Australia has very strict rules for refugees. Mohammed must obtain funds to enter a university and become a student in order to stay in the country. Yet, he is not allowed to work in order to pay for his education. He is in need of support. A return to the country of his birth means certain death for him.

Mohammad asks for prayers and support. His e-mail address is  somrat_a@yahoo.com . His story is tragic, but Mohammad is one of the lucky ones. He is alive to tell of his conversion to Christianity. So many converts from Islam to other religions are not alive to tell their stories. Islam is a religion that does not allow exit visas. However, miracles do happen. Several miracles have already happened to Mohammad. He is counting on another miracle to save him from the clutches of the Islamists.

On November 19th a family of 11, including a new baby, were burned alive in their home in Bangladesh. The family was Hindu. This is just the latest in a long and gruesome list of atrocities that have happened throughout Bangladesh. Islamists are determined to created an Islamic Bangladesh. Hindus, Christians and Buddhists are the front-line victims in the Islamists' struggle to rule this impoverished country. Mohammad wishes readers to know that he is from Bangladesh and that he condemns and deplores the violence being committed against innocent people in the homeland that he still loves so much.

 http://www.dhimmi.com/

The Coalition for the Defense of Human Rights is publishing first hand accounts of those who are are experiencing or who have experiennced suffering and repression under Islamization anywhere in the world.