As a PLO sniper and Arafat's chauffeur, Saada was a Muslim immersed in anti-Israeli activity. But when he reached middle age, he moved to America, began a family---and became a Christian! You'll be enthralled by his prophetic conversion and subsequent encounters with Arafat, his teaching about Arabs and Ishmael, and his hope for reconciliation through Jesus. 250 pages, hardcover from Tyndale.
Tass Saada was a PLO sniper and Arafat’s chauffeur, a Muslim immersed in anti-Israeli activity. As a young man he came to America, where he started a family, changed his faith, and began reconciliation with Jews. Later on he returned to Qatar to face his family and former boss, Arafat, with stories from his new life in Christ. The encounters are astounding. You’ll embrace Saada’s engaging story. You’ll be enthralled by his conversion and the biblical teaching regarding Arabs and Ishmael. You’ll be encouraged by his changed life and the story of hope in reconciliation through Jesus. Don’t miss this enlightening true story by Tass Saada, written with Dean Merrill.
Tass Saada understands terrorists. He understands their passion and devotion to their cause. How? He was one. Becoming a sniper for the PLO at 17 years old, he personally worked for Yasser Arafat, even becoming his chauffeur. In Once an Arafat Man, Saada tells his incredible story of his early fascination and association with the PLO cause and how he eventually risked his life by becoming a Christian.
Saada moved around the Middle East with his family as a refugee during his youth, but he found ways to continue his terrorist indoctrination, even getting accepted into a PLO training camp. He finally arrived in America, despite his father’s objections of going to “that satanic country”. While living with a friend in Columbia, Missouri, Saada decided to stay in the United States, but he didn’t have the proper documentation. He realized he could stay if he married an American, so he met a girl and accomplished his goal. He planned to leave her, but a pregnancy changed his mind and he decided he would make the marriage work.
He developed a blossoming career as a chef, leaving his wife and children in Missouri to take a job in California. His career began to quickly unravel, and he returned to his family. His amazing salvation story is the turning point in the book and is a wonderful testimony to God’s grace, proving that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:15). It also put his life in peril with his own family for rejecting his Muslim faith.
Saada eventually had the opportunity to visit with Arafat privately and told him of his new relationship with God. He and his wife founded and operate Hope for Ishmael, a foundation aiming to reconcile Arabs and Jews.
Saada’s exciting story powerfully demonstrates how God can change the heart of a man full of hate to a heart full of love and compassion. -- Jeff Friend, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 8 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David Crick (Middletown, PA), November 16, 2009
This book was an awesome book! It shows how God totally can change around one man and use him for the Glory of God. I recommend it to anyone who has a interest in the Middle East.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rebecca (Bakersfield,California), November 03, 2009
Once you start reading this book you will not put it down. It is an amazing testimony of how God changed a heart full of hate to a heart of forgiveness and love. I was so touched by Mr. Saada's testimony and how God is using him in the middle east that I personally went to visit his outreach ministry, stayed 12 days, and saw first hand how Jesus is using Mr. Saada and was blessed beyond belief. He and his wife were so hospitable. I encourage anyone visiting Israel to contact the Saada's for a tour of the Preschool or for partaking in an outreach, he can accommodate teams of around 30.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Elaine Nicholas (Westfield, IN), March 25, 2009
I found this book to be well-written and fascinating to read. It was encouraging to learn how God is moving among the Arabs, and I applaud Mr. Saada's efforts to bring reconciliation between the Jews and Arabs.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by James Escott (Merrillville, IN), February 27, 2009
Excellent true story of how Christ uses all things for the good of those who love Him and witnesses to the truth that no person is beyond redeemption.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by C. Palmer (Casper, WY), November 07, 2008
In these days of continual bad news and a seemingly never ending cycle of threats and retaliation, "Once An Arafat Man" presents a story of hope. Its writing style is engaging and easy to read, but the message of redemption sinks deep. The central theme is not the ability of a man to pull himself out of his circumstances, but rather to lay down his life at the cross of Jesus and see reconciliation come where it would seem impossible. After reading this book you will have a deeper insight into both the political mindset of the Palestinian movement and a glimpse at the hope of peace that can come only through Jesus Christ. Highly recommended.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ethan Powell (Missouri), October 06, 2008
Starting with his birth in the Gaza Strip, this book tells how Tass learned to hate and how he vented that hate. But then he is dramatically changed by God and learns to love and shows that love not only to his own people but to those he once hated. This book is not only an interesting story; it shows a glimpse of what the Middle East is like. What the people are like and how they think, which is very important to understand in the world today.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennifer (Canada), October 05, 2008
In his mid-forties Tass came to know Jesus as his Lord in a dramatic, instantaneous conversion experience, the likes of which I’ve never read.
While the first parts of the book read slowly, I was spellbound by the changes God worked in Saada’s life following his new birth. I was able to see God reaching into this man’s life, into his heart and changing him, dissolving his rage, kindling his love and igniting a passion to see Jews, Muslims, and Christians reconciled under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Once a highly trained guerilla under the command of Yasser Arafat, Saada transformed into a spiritual warrior under the command of God most high.
After experiencing God’s radical grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus/Yasooa/Yeshua, a work was begun in Tass Saada. This work is broad, deep, and a part of it is expressed through this book. By reading of God’s work through the Holy Spirit in this man’s life I was encouraged, educated and led to examine the scriptures pertaining to the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael in a new light.
This vibrant, relevant understanding comes from the collision of God’s word with a life spent in service in the hot-spots: the Gaza Strip, the West Bank. Saada knows what he’s talking about; he’s been there, experienced life as a Palestinian refugee and returned as a believer in Christ to re-examine, to seek answers, to find a way.
While Once an Arafat Man is vitally important reading for believers who are ignorant of the struggle over the Holy Land, anyone with a heart for peace in the Middle East should read Saada’s work. The combination of first-hand experience, wisdom of years, and a new, reflective perspective provide illuminating insight and hope for the future.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stacey (Las Vegas, NV), September 15, 2008
My husband grabbed “Once An Arafat Man” from my to be read pile as soon as I received the book. Tass Saada and Dean Merrill tell a gripping and insightful story about how a Muslim on the inside of the PLO came to faith in Christ. Although more insight into the organization and belief system would have been appreciated, this novel was still an incredible read! It brought my husband to a greater understanding of Ishmael’s contribution to the world as we know it today. I highly recommend this book!
Write a review of Once an Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life
Author: Tass Saada
Submitted: October 24, 2008
Tell us a little about yourself. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ who privileges me by using me to help Him lead others to His truth.
What was your motivation behind this project? To see radicals, like myself, come to know the truth and to let others know, who may not understand the reason for the conflict between Palestinians and Jews.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope they will gain a sense of the true heart of God, His enormous love for us all.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Working on this project gave me a deeper sense of God's miraculous transformation power in my life. It was not easy to reflect back on all the wrong I have done in my childhood; the pain and suffering I caused my Dad. Becoming a believer and a follower of Jesus, is not an easy thing for a Muslim to do. It could still cost me my life. But more important than that, the pain and suffering it may possibly cause my Dad,still a Muslim, because I have chosen to follow Jesus.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? My biggest influence in my life is the Word of God. I don't read many other books often. But one of the most influential authors in my life is Joel Rosenberg and now, my Co-Author, Dean Merrill. The most influential people in my life, is my pastor, Charles Sharpe, my wife, Karen, and my kids, Ben and Farah.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: Pastor Bob Johnson, is one of the other people who have influenced the direction of my life. As well as his wife, Sonya. Also, other pastors and teachers such as: Brian Zahnd, a true friend and inspiration; Garry Ansdell and Ameal Hadaad as Ambassadors of Peace. So many people have impacted my life it is hard to name them all.
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