I grew up in a non-religious Muslim home in a small village in Lebanon. My family supported the Western-oriented Lebanese government. But the Beirut government was very weak, and in reality, Palestinian terrorists ruled the area. They made sure to harass and punish those of us in various ways because of our political opinions.
In 1982, the Israeli army came to Lebanon and life improved. Even before they arrived, I admired Israel. I could see the hills of northern Israel from Lebanon and wished I could go there. It seemed so peaceful. Not like Lebanon. Our lives before the Israelis came were filled with terror. The Israelis made our lives better in so many ways. The Israeli Army restored order. Suddenly everyone had a job, money, a good life and peace.
Of course, it was to their advantage as well. Anyone who wanted to live in peace accepted the Israeli presence gladly. There is a saying in Arabic: “If your neighbor is happy, then you are happy as well.”
In the eyes of the terrorists I was a traitor and a spy.
Over time, I bonded with the Israeli soldiers. I connected with them. They were good to us and I wanted to return the favor. If I saw terrorist activity, I would tell the soldiers, so basically you could say I became an informant. Yes, in the eyes of the terrorists I was a traitor and a spy. But I wanted to have a quiet village, a normal life. The terrorists’ activities were making life difficult for us, the local people. I wanted to help get rid of them.
In 1983, Hezbollah began staging more attacks against Israel, just like Hamas is doing now. Actually Hezbollah terrorists are the same Palestinians, they just changed their name to Hezbollah in order to get Shiite support, as the area has a Shiite majority. My family is Shiite, but we continued to reject the radicals and Hezbollah began harassing my family more and more, because they knew what we thought of them. They didn’t trust us.
Incarceration
In 1985, Hezbollah actually tried to kill my entire family, so we fled to a town in southern Lebanon, which was near the Israeli army base that controlled the area. By day the men in our family would tend to business back in our village but at night they’d return to the safety of the south. Until one day Hezbollah ambushed us in our house. My father and I and two of my brothers were kidnapped. We were locked in an underground bunker. We were held there for a whole year. It was very difficult. They tortured me often, cut me with knives, and the worst was when they burned my nine-month-old baby son in front of my eyes. You cannot imagine the suffering I went through there.
During that year, I had lots of time to reflect. I had grown up in a non-religious Muslim home; I never went to the mosque. We didn’t even have a mosque in the village. Growing up, I never read the Koran, so I didn’t know too much about the religion. In the bunker, I found a Koran, and I started to read it. I wanted to know what Hezbollah believed. Maybe they were right and I was ignorant. To my surprise I discovered that what they preached is not in the Koran at all.
The Koran makes no mention of martyrdom or warring against the Jews. That is all the invention of the terrorist extremists. In fact, according to Islam, someone who commits suicide is not permitted to be buried in a Muslim cemetery. All the Islamic violence is for political reasons, when they started to mix religion and politics. There is nothing written about fighting. What I did find, in the opening chapters, were all these remarkable stories about the Jewish patriarchs, about the Exodus from Egypt, about the giving of the Torah. [The Koran incorporates much of the Chumash, with some specific changes according to Islamic belief.] I started to believe that God was watching over me and didn’t want me to die. My life was in His hands.
I decided to try to join the inner circle of Hezbollah in the hope to help Israel.
After a year in the bunker, our captors released us believing that we had all become true believers in Hezbollah’s cause. The first thing I did was go to the mosque, but when I heard the sheik say: ‘If you commit suicide and become a shaheed [martyr] you will be escorted over a river of fire and go to heaven.’ I thought to myself: If everything is so good there, why doesn’t the sheikh go himself? Besides, I had now read the Koran and knew that what he was saying was baseless. After my new realizations while imprisoned, I knew I would not follow this sheikh’s exhortation. I decided to do something else: I would try to join the inner circle of Hezbollah, in the hope to help Israel. I was determined to rid my country of Hezbollah so we can be free to practice true Islam.
Joining Hezbollah
At first they suspected my reasons for joining, so I explained to them that all the political problems I had had before were because of my brothers, and they shouldn’t blame me because of them. I was soon accepted into their ranks and lived among them. I saw everything. At one point, I was even part of a squad of terrorists that planned to attack an Israeli military base. That was the opportunity I was waiting for. I slipped out of the camp and hitched rides and walked and ran, until I reached the Israeli Army base in the south. I recognized some of the soldiers and gave them the information. There was one particular Israeli who had been to our house previously. I met with him privately and told him I wanted to work for Israel from within Hezbollah. He tried very hard to dissuade me.
He said “They already burned your child. If they catch you they will burn your whole family.” But I insisted. I told him: “Look what they did to me. Let me work with you. I hate them and want revenge for my baby.”
Of course, the IDF doesn’t just hire any Lebanese Muslim who claims he wants to be a spy for Israel. They have a rigorous system of background checks and personality tests. But after several months of being investigated, I became an Israeli plant in the echelons of Hezbollah.
For security reasons, I cannot discuss details of my time in Hezbollah. All I can say that I interfered with many of Hezbollah’s plans, prevented attacks and saved a lot of soldiers’ lives. I did a lot. God wanted me to succeed.
But I will tell you about that first attack I prevented. There were 150 terrorists, including suicide bombers, who were supposed to enter the base and kill many Israeli soldiers and kidnap others. I knew everything about this operation: where the missiles were; who would take part in the operation; who planned it; what vehicles would be used. I gave over all this information and, thank God, our forces prepared themselves. The Army buried mines along their intended path prior to the attack, killing many of the terrorists. I have many similar stories, how Israel dealt with those men who had the blood on their hands.
I worked from within Hezbollah for 14 years, from 1986 until 2000, helping prevent many terrorist attacks.
I worked from within Hezbollah for 14 years, from 1986 until 2000, helping prevent many terrorist attacks. Each time, I traversed 60 kilometers at night, to meet with the Israelis and transfer information. I loved the Israelis so much, I made the tremendous effort to reach them and bring them information. I know they relied on me to prevent attacks and I felt responsible to be a reliable conduit and bring them as much information as I could.
Crossing Over
In 1997 some members of the group became suspicious of me. I knew my time in Lebanon was coming to a close. One wrong move and I would be killed. It was time for my dream to be realized and move to Israel. With swift planning with the Israelis, my wife and children who were young then met me at a checkpoint and we crossed over. We settled in Tzfat. I continued to assist the IDF, this time from the other side of the border, for three more years. Knowing that my family was safe in Israel gave me encouragement to serve even more. I worked at gathering information with all the security forces: the Army, the Shin Bet and Mossad. To them I was better than any other soldier because I knew the area and the people very well.
On Erev Yom Kippur, in 2000, my life changed again, this time spiritually. I was sitting on the porch with my wife, and I saw all my neighbors are going to shul. I said to my wife: “A mosque is God’s house and a synagogue is also God’s house. I want to go there.” I asked my neighbor if it was permitted for me to go, and he said yes. The rabbi of the shul of course didn’t recognize me, and he gave me a kippah to put on figuring I was a non-religious Jew.
The day after Yom Kippur, I went back to work and I told my friend there that I went to the shul on Yom Kippur and they made me feel very welcome. He started to laugh. “What were you doing there?” Despite that, I started to go more often; I was drawn to Judaism. I felt it was part of my belief, my truth. It got to the point that I wanted to convert, but everyone turned me away. Finally, after great effort and a long time studying, I was converted by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, chief rabbi of Tzfat.
Today we are a regular religious family. Anyone who sees me or my children could never tell of our past.
My wife also converted. Today we are a regular religious family. Anyone who sees me or my children could never tell of our past. My children cannot even converse in Arabic. But now we are having this war in Gaza and I think back to my earlier days. I know how terrorists work, how Hamas thinks. They have no goals except for destruction. Their sole intention is terror and destruction. Even their own self-destruction is meaningless to them. Peace in not what they seek. With them it’s all or nothing. I have dealt with suicide bombers. They do not think like humans. They do not love themselves so they treat others with total disregard.
We have given them so many options to make peace. We worked with Arafat and Abbas. Israel wants peace so badly and what did we get in return? Dozens of terror cells and tunnels. Remember, it’s not only the Jews that Hamas is fighting. They are fighting against the Palestinian Authority as well. They just need to fight. That’s all these terrorists know. Their lives have no purpose. With God’s help we will be strong and win.
I still have connections in Lebanon. I speak to my family and others. I also know many Arabs here in Israel and believe me, most of them want to live in peace and quiet. I think 90% would prefer to live under Israel than under Arab rule.
By the way, my family is very proud of me, that I have chosen a pleasant path to live my life. We are in touch and speak often. The Koran respects Judaism. If you do not believe in Moses, you do not believe in Islam. Choosing Judaism does not go against the Koran. Islamic terror groups murdering thousands in Syria to create a Muslim state? That is going against the Koran.
People ask me if I am afraid, if I have received threats from Hezbollah. I know if they could, they would kill me. I have heard that they are looking for me. But it doesn’t concern me. I feel safe here. I am not afraid. God put me here and my soul belongs to Him.
This article originally appeared in Ami Magazine.
(58) Anonymous, December 31, 2018 3:58 PM
Amazing, inspirational story.
God really is watching over us in all ways.
He is quite creative...
(57) mohammad asif, June 6, 2015 9:09 AM
You lost the path..the true islam. Those who are killing ppl in the name of Allah are fake muslims. Allah led u astray cuz u never studied quran. You were astray and u r astray
(56) Margie Smith, January 11, 2015 9:00 PM
perhaps he has Jewish blood
Perhaps our friend's attraction to Israel and Judaism is because he has Jewish blood.
Many Arabs in Judea Samaria have Jewish DNA and some Jewish habits. They were forced to convert by Islam.
But HaShem knows who His children are, and can call them back to him.
Our friend might want to have a DNA test taken.
(55) Sheila Novitz, December 8, 2014 10:05 PM
The "Koran" Respects Judaism??
I cannot let this amazing comment pass.
The Qur'an "respects" Judaism. At the start of Muhammad's "visions", yes, he took a great deal and learnt a great deal from Judaism and Christianity - and used his learnings as his own.
After this, however, when he found the Jews not in the least interested in converting to Islam, he turned against us - and continued this right until the end. Muhammad deceived and murdered our people. He stole ALL their belongings, took their wives and daughters as sex slaves, and forced them into some kind of "marriage" - just as Islamists still do in their astounding 7th century fashion. Please do NOT, I repeat NOT, continue telling these appalling untruths about Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam. Simply return to Islam if you really believe all the nonsense with which you are trying to fool us. Jewish people READ and are intelligent: We KNOW what is in the Qur'an.
(54) Anonymous, November 30, 2014 7:48 PM
Which Koran have you been reading?
According to Western scholars of the Koran (and some unique ex Muslims such us "Son of Hamas" etc., we are informed of the true teachings of their prophet. It specifically states in the Koran that Muslims should kill Jews and Christians - if they do not convert? One line says as follows; "A tree will say a Jew is hiding behind me come and kill him." According to the Koran there are 4 stages of Jihad, which is Islam's quest to rule the world under Shariah law. 1. The clueless Moslems (uneducated in the Koran) 2. With stealth, 3. Defensive and 4. Offensive. To carry out their aims the Koran gives permission to use deceit and lies. What sort of religion is this that allows their followers to deceive and lie to obtain their aims. Please do not present Islam as a peaceful religion - it never has been and never will be. See www.Answering Muslims.com
Sheila Novitz, December 8, 2014 9:42 PM
Puzzling
While I am very happy that Avraham Sinai has found peace and joy in Judaism, I am utterly confused - and more than a little uneasy - at the untruths he tells us about the Qur'an. "Anonymous", in his or her letter, says it all. Islam is not a peaceful religion. It is filled with hate. The Qur'an has guidelines for murder of Jews and Christians; it contains gross misogyny; there are undoubted promises regarding sex with little boys in Paradise.
It pleases me that an increasing number of Jewish people are actually reading the Qur'an; it is as essential to us as Hitler's "Mein Kampf" was, and it's good we're taking more notice of this Arabic book than we did of the German one. But I am - have to admit it - very concerned that we now have amongst us a Jewish "Orthodox" man who tries fooling us about the content of Islam and the Qur'an. The Hadith too are filled with Muhammad's deceit against hordes of people, the instructions that it is good to practise deceit, and - worst of all for us - the murder of Jews.
Why is Avraham Sinai amongst us while telling these gross untruths about Islam? What is his purpose? Perhaps it is as simple as that he has not read the Qur'an and Hadith. Let us hope so.
(53) Tehila, August 30, 2014 9:13 AM
I am very happy for you and your family
Hi,
I don't agree what you said about the Koran not making warrings against the Jews. I read it too, and it's full of it.
I am very happy for you. I am also a muslimborn converting to Judaism.
Lynn magnuson, November 27, 2014 1:15 AM
Judaism
I have found Judaism full of kindness and mercy, despite what people say about it's harshness at times. Been studying with a rabbi for around a year now with the aim of conversion. I am from a Quaker background (Religious Society of Friends) and MANY beliefs are very close to Judaism although the form of worship is different. Like Jews, Quakers also consider actions and deeds the most important thing and it does not force a person into a particular belief system. Although I've never been Muslim, I respect the teachings of Mohammed and the Quoran and have a personal copy of the latter. There is nothing in there requiring a Muslim to be at war with Israel or Jews. That is a fabrication of the extremists who simply want to kill. And righteous people? Well, they come in ALL faiths.
Anonymous, December 8, 2014 9:53 PM
Very strange Personal Copy of the Qur'an
Lynn Magnuson: While there can be no doubt about your good intentions, what you say about the Qur'an (you cannot even spell it) is sheer fiction.
"There is nothing in there requiring a Muslim to be at war with Israel or Jews"??? First of all, the Qur'an was created in the 7th century when modern Israel did not yet exist, and so none of us expect to find "war with Israel" within it. But there are certainly very clear directions to kill Jews and Christians. You have perfectly obviously not read the "Muslim Holy Book" and have certainly not read any of the deeds of Muhammad described in the Hadith wherein he uses deceit to lure hordes of Jews to their deaths. There was nothing new about Hitler apart from gas; he simply copied Muhammad.
Again, one has to ask: Why are you lying? Do you think Jews are stupid?
Also, anyone can pick up a copy of the Qur'an at any time, and see how untrue your silly statements are - so why are you making them?
As for "righteous people" in Islam? Pleas name one, and I will be happy.
(52) Anonymous, August 27, 2014 10:14 PM
You have stated "A mosque is God's home..."
A mosque IS NOT God's home. Islam is idolatry whose participants bow down to a stone building that contains the bones of certain dead people. As a true Jew, certainly you know this. God's name is not Allah. Certainly as a true Jew you know what His name is and the Children of Israel, His Chosen People would NEVER call Him "Allah." Certainly, you know all of this, but perhaps, as a jew, you just forgot, no?
Anonymous, November 27, 2014 1:17 AM
Allah vs. Hashem??
Check the Hebrew and the Arabic. The personal four letter name of God in the Hebrew means "I am who I am" and in Arabic, "I will be who I will be". It's the SAME GOD. Allah is also used for God by Arabic speaking Christians and jews. It is simply the Arabic word for God. I'm not sure where you got the information that this name of God would never be used ... but I have seen differently. People around the world speak different languages, and use different words to describe God.
Anonymous, December 8, 2014 9:56 PM
Good work.
Good work, Anonymous. Thank goodness for people like you - and there aren't many of them.
(51) joe postow, August 26, 2014 7:40 PM
thanks
Even though the author converted to Judaism, there are Zionist Muslims and we need to hear their voices.
Anonymous, August 27, 2014 10:26 PM
He says "a mosque is God's home"..
as a Jew he should know this is NOT true since Islam is nothing more than a made up faith; idolatry. A Jew recognizes only one religion as true and the light switch of faith has to be turned off to ALL other systems of belief; make no mistake about this. A Jew would NOT call the God of Israel "Allah" nor would he worship in a mosque, which is an abomination.
Saul Pillai, September 3, 2014 2:51 AM
Response to Anonymous
I do not al all agree with the sentence; " A Jew would NOT call the G-d of Israel ALLAH....
Friend, for over two thousands years Jews and Christians in the Middle East have referred to G-d as ALLAH. In fact, they were using the word ALLAH even before the start of Islam. Even Torah commentaries written in Arabic uses ALLAH.
Ask any indigenous Jews or Christians from the Levant, Iran, Yemen & North Africa.
They will tell you...
SHALOM
Yehoshua Sivan, November 26, 2014 1:32 PM
Allah is as Jewish as using the English "God"
Saul is quite right. If one of the most famous Baghdadi rabbis of recent times was called Abdallah (= Ovadiah), clearly the term Allah is fine for Jews to use. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdallah_Somekh
Anonymous, November 27, 2014 1:20 AM
God and Allah
VERY TRUE. I just made a comment on EXACTLY the same thing before seeing what you wrote! I found out about this when dining in a diner owned by Arabs. The owner's son was translating something I said about God to his grandmother and used Allah as the word for God. I asked about that, and then researched it further. Very true. ALLAH is Arabic for God. And it's been used as such for thousands of years, as long as the Arabic language has existed.
(50) Immanuel, August 25, 2014 2:51 PM
Muslim spy converts
Great
(49) Mindy, August 25, 2014 3:40 AM
I'm so sorry for what they did to your son
And thank you for your life-saving work!
(48) Harold Sandler, August 25, 2014 12:07 AM
Bless your heart
What a powerful and beautiful life story. May G-d bless you, for risking your life to save others. If only others were half as brave, or if they would question the shrill calls for jihad there would be no support for terrorists.
(47) Mike Moses, August 24, 2014 10:11 PM
The Caleb and Joshua of our time.
Reading your story make me remember how Caleb and Joshua help to spy the land of jericho for the israelite to conquar and how God Bless them for that. My prayers for you is that God will continue to bless u and all your linage IJN.
(46) Dr CALVO MICHEL, August 24, 2014 12:21 PM
can you inform your readers of this petition.
Our Law Firm is advising Mr. Endre Mozes, who as initiated a petition “The Hamas leaders must be tried for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity”.
In view of the breaking of the cease fire, do you think that they must indeed be tried? The petition can be found in English and in several other languages at:
http://takeapenglobal.com
(45) Rick, August 24, 2014 1:13 AM
God bless
May god bless you for the rest of your days, may he never turn his face from you... And when your time does come, may he take you in his loving embrace along with your baby that was taken from you!!!
(44) Yehudit, August 23, 2014 10:22 PM
Miraculous
It is through these stories we are priveleged to see Hashems protection of His children through His magnifying glass.... Sadly some people don't believe. Is there some way, a link or otherwise, that personal stories such as these can be verified by diehard sceptics? Something could be provided as a footnote. Thank you Aish for spreading these miracles, and for often spurring them, too.
(43) theary, August 22, 2014 12:11 AM
wonderful
Be blessed. Im so blessed witg your sharing brother Izvrahim Sinai.
(42) Ash Salman, August 21, 2014 5:32 AM
Amazing story. You lived to tell the story. You have been through so much and with grace of god you have been saved. I sincerely pray for you and your family wellbeing. It is so sad what Islamic radical are doing around the world and normal Muslims being brainwashed in the Koran and hadith teachings. Just shows if one truly searches for the truth he will find it by educating himself and understanding what is being read in a language you can understand. Thank you so much for sharing your story... Peace and love to all.
(41) Kevin Ferentz, August 21, 2014 1:48 AM
I want to thank Avraham Sinai
What an amazing man! I am so proud that he is part of our people. If there was anyway to get a message to him I would want him to know that I bless him and his family. He should have a long and healthy life and live to see much joy from his children. His work was a Kiddush Hashem - and Hashem should reward him with all good things.
(40) Joseph, August 20, 2014 6:56 AM
"Choosing Judaism does not go against the Koran"?!
Choosing Judaism requires to reject false prophets, which Muhmad most certainly was. The Koran does not demand that one believe in Muhmad as Allah's prophet?! Sounds a bit disingenuous to me.
j.s, August 22, 2014 2:07 AM
response
I think you might not have understood when he said that choosing Judaism does not go against the Koran. I think what he was trying to say is that the Koran accepts Moses as a prophet and views Judaism in a positive light. I do not believe he meant that they are the same. His family was able to accept him because of their respect for Judaism.
Anonymous, December 1, 2014 11:41 AM
Wrong
A "religious" Muslim has no respect for Judaism. How can they if they think their religion is the only true religion and they are taught from the Koran to pretend friendship with others especially Jews. And while I'm at it "Allah" is NOT our God - how can it be the same God when they are taught to kill unbelievers in "Allah's" name? The son of Hamas will enlighten you on this so will Walid Shoebat and Nonnie Darwish all ex Muslims.
Anonymous, November 30, 2014 8:57 PM
I tend to agree with you
But as this gentleman passed Israeli security checks I suppose we can just wonder as to the absolute truth of the matter. Also it's intriguing that he chose the Ashkenazi community over the Sephardic.
Anonymous, December 1, 2014 11:12 AM
My reply should have appeared under No. 40. Joseph's
I tend to agree with you..........
(39) Anonymous, August 20, 2014 6:34 AM
superb story. God bless u.
Salute to you sir...thank you for helping the Lord's chosen people. God bless your loving family.
(38) Anonymous, August 20, 2014 4:55 AM
What an amazing man!
Thank you very much for providing this story. It is very important to hear the other side (Muslims) and also to understand our differences. However, soooooo many Jews are beyond liberal. It is unfortunate that liberal Americans just haven't woken up yet to the sickness that is radical Islam. Thank you Avraham for sharing your insights and risking your life for a people and lifestyle valuing peace and personal freedoms. May H' bless you and keep you and your family in peace and safety, love and happiness.
(37) John, August 19, 2014 10:03 PM
Hezbollah do practice Islam. He should try reading the Koran thoroughly. In addition, the Hadith and Mohammed's anti-Semitism need to be looked into.
(36) Anonymous, August 19, 2014 9:55 PM
Correction
Its a wonderful story but as someone who has studied Islam for 18 years, there are several mistakes regarding Islam. First of all, besides the Qur'an, the secondary source of Islamic Law is the Hadith (sayings and actions of Muhammad) and one of the Hadith states this... "Muhammad said, “The hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. When a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree, it will say, ‘O Muslim, O servant of Allah! There is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!’ All of the trees will do this except the box-thorn, because it is the tree of the Jews” (Sahih Bukhari Book #52, Hadith #176). There are numerous verses in the Qur'an and Hadith about Jihad (Translation: Struggling for the Sake of Allah), Fighting, War, and the Jews.
(35) Stephanie, August 19, 2014 8:19 PM
Inspirational
I cried as I read this beautiful story. I am so glad that this man and his family have been redeemed from the evil that has surrounded them in their lives. I pray many more see the same light of truth that this man has seen. Thank you very much
(34) Anonymous, August 19, 2014 7:34 AM
Nothing in Islam about fighting?
Truly amazing story. But a question: He writes that "There is nothing written (in the Koran) about fighting." How could that be. Isn't that what "Jihad" means? Isn't Jihad from the Koran? Can someone please clarify?
Anonymous, August 20, 2014 1:30 PM
JIhad in Islam
Fighting is mentioned 36 times in the Qur'an such as in this example..., "Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. " (Qur'an, Chapter #2, Verse #216). and (Remember) when your Lord revealed to the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes."
(Chapter #8, Verse #12)
So, when you meet (in fight - Jihad in Allah's Cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam and are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in order to test some of you with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.
(Chapter #47, Verse #4)
Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the Polytheists wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
(Chapter #9, Verse #5)
So I am not sure what Qur’an he read!
(33) Tova, August 18, 2014 6:57 PM
God want us to have a peaceful journey
Hamas , Quatar get a grip of yourselves you have money coming out of your ears help the needy Arabs if you do not know how."let the Jews show you how" See Israelites and all over the world, if Jews are there the economy is good say Allah ou akbar to the Jewish kindness,compassion they love life you copied some of our Torah Go for it copy the rest.
(32) Baba, August 18, 2014 2:19 PM
Bless this man
My heart is still racing. What kind of human being would burn a baby alive and not feel anything. This man and his family have endured such pain and at least now he has some peace. I pray every day that Israel can defeat Hamas and other radicals to live in peace and harmony. It is so sad that the ignorant will not open their eyes to what is happening to our world. I hope you live in peace Avraham.
(31) raizel, August 18, 2014 12:46 PM
beautiful story
He must have a Jewish neshama and maybe his family even stems from Jews. We know that many within the Jewish Tribes were converted forcibly. Maybe his whole village, which didn't even have a mosque & were secular and peaceful, could have originally been Jews. Jewish souls are returning before Moshiach, so all will be back. After Moshiach's arrival, there will no longer be conversions.
(30) Linda, August 18, 2014 12:17 PM
What a story!!
This is what we need wonderful stories like this. The trouble is who in the wider community would believe it. Is there any way to verify his story? Has a book been made about it or a newspaper taken the story?
ronie gayaman, August 18, 2014 4:30 PM
daring and courageous
@linda, i don't get your comment here, you want somebody to write of his deeds in a book or newspaper (AMI Magazine) and to have his story verified?
pardon me if that is how i get your comment but i think there are people who'd rather keep their profile low for security or other reason... it is enough that the idf and security already did check on him and allowed him to work for the state and i think he is already ok with the AMI Magazine coming out with the story....
John, August 18, 2014 6:23 PM
Book
From both sides of the boarder
That's the book title
(29) warriormouse, August 18, 2014 10:11 AM
<3 and prayers to Av and his family from down here in New Zealand :)
(28) Saul Pillai, August 18, 2014 10:07 AM
Courageous
Thank you Avraham Sinai for your conscience and the choice you and your family made. Also a big thank you for sharing your experience.
However, I'm a little curious on the statement that the Quran does not mention of martyrdom or warring against the Jews. The books of the Quran (Surah) in the beginning parts of the Quran does not mention this but the Surahs towards the end of the Quran speaks of the end times makes mention of killing Jews and breaking the Cross.
However it's true that the Quran speaks less of war compared to the Hadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). The terrorists groups get the bulk of their justifications from the Hadiths and interpretations of the Ulama (religious clerics).
Anyway once again, thank you very much for sharing and as a personal opinion, I think it would be wonderful if your children could converse in Arabic. It's their heritage. They should be proud of it. Plus it is wonderful to know an extra language.
May you have a long and happy life.
SHALOM
(27) Bile Samaila, August 18, 2014 8:23 AM
God is working in his life.
We are standing with the Jews people and praying for the Land of Israel. Here in Africa God is speaking to us to identify with Israel and pray for them, so that all Israel will be save and be safe in their land.
(26) Shari, August 18, 2014 6:07 AM
Although this man deserves our gratitude, he is wrong about the Quran. There are over 100 Suras that command Muslims to wage jihad against the unbelievers as in Sura 9:5 "Slay the unbelievers wherever you may find them."
(25) HouTexan, August 18, 2014 4:37 AM
Powerful story!
What kind of courage does it take to remain cool and collected under the circumstances this man experienced? He gives all credit to G-d, but he is clearly a very unusual man!
(24) Ephraim, August 18, 2014 4:14 AM
May Hashem bless him
What a wonderful man. May Hashem protect him and his family.
(23) deborah, August 18, 2014 12:10 AM
welcome home!
welcome home, you are awesome, you see the truth, very poignant article! May Hashem bless you and your family, may there be peace in Israel and the rest of the world!
(22) Laurence Cohn, August 17, 2014 10:10 PM
Good article
Gave me some incite!
(21) mgoldberg, August 17, 2014 9:30 PM
a bit more on his false observation about the Quran
This lovely man, as I mentioned before is however, incorrect in his
observations about the Koran. If one goes to http://www.politicalislam.com/blog/just-the-facts-sir-just-the-facts/
for example you can get a detailed description of just how much warring is actually mentioned in the koran, and the Sira and Hadiths. The amount of text devoted to Jihad is none in the meccan Koran, but 24% of the medinan koran- that's 1/4 is about Jihad(warring), and the sira, the life of Mohammad is 67%, the hadiths 21%. The history of Islam reflects this and more. This is not to quibble with this fine man- but his incorrect observation erases why 70 jewish men had to die for this miserable sociopathic 'religion' and it's fake prophet. The 280 millions of humand slaughtered in 1450 yrs is testament to the call to Jihad, to subjugation of all others- and ESPECIALLY the JEWS. That Jerusalem, and all Israel has to be erased of any Torah memory, any Jewish presence except jews as miserable subjects, and the endless ugly muslim belief that slaughtering women, children, anyone of Kafir belief is 'holy' for Islam. Only when we accept this reality as they choose, chose and will slaughter for, can we understand the determination we need to prevent the annihilation that JIHAD calls for and for which muslims will howl and praise when they see this 'victory' over 'others'. Only when they are prevented from doing this do they accept judea, or christian, or other realities. Otherwise, they rage with the love of Jihad. And it's all from Mohammad and his Koran.
(20) sam, August 17, 2014 9:27 PM
A Readers Digest unforgettable individual
It is a good world with people like you in it. Your inteligence, integrity and initiative. Would that your story could be told in Gaza.
Better if they could also understand it.
(19) David Murray, August 17, 2014 9:09 PM
Thanks
What a wonderful story. This story is one example of why Israel is a wonder in a land so needing wonder - not death.
(18) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 8:50 PM
Portion of article about what the Koran says / not entirely true
Actually a Sheik or an imam is not a Rabbi, Priest, Pastor or a Preacher. His job is to uphold the Islamic law. There is a principle called Abrogation which says that if there is something in older verses of the Koran that conflicts with the newer version the newer writing is holds. So through the principle of Abrogation There IS a mandate to do exactly what they are doing. As part of the counterfactual subversive attack on us there are actually 2 versions of the Koran that can be found. One version at the front end of an Islamic center or mosque (which are the same thing. Each has a mandate to establish the caliphate and institute sharia) and the more complete version past what your average person sees. This is exactly why as a captive the author thought one thing whilst the teachers continued to adhere... Until non muslims view what islam says adding the parenthetic phrase "under sharia law" we will continue to stumble in the battle against this attack against us. They say what they do and they do what they say. For example under sharia law the only way that you can delay "fighting the enemy to the death" is if you are going to rebuild or re-supply the battalions for the fight against the non-believer" So it shouldn't be a surprise that hamas announced that they were re-arming themselves during the truce. There is a mandate also to lie to further jihad and islam. So being given a version of the Koran that contains no violence is not by accident. It's a ruling theocracy, not a religion... This is Islamic law folks... If only we stopped pretending what they want us to believe about it...
(17) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 6:52 PM
Great story
Amazing strory! It is great tat you're not afraid of Hezbollah.
What are your suggestions about the situation with Hamas?
What is your opinion on isis?
(16) Cheryll, August 17, 2014 6:44 PM
Thank You
Thank you and your family for your kindness, love, courage and inner strength! You have clearly made a difference in the lives of many.
(15) Miles, August 17, 2014 6:42 PM
Avraham Sinai is a hero!
Righteousness has no religion! May the righteous prepare the way for Moshiach !!
(14) Fay, August 17, 2014 6:28 PM
Besutiful story
Thank you for your courage. I hope your son is healthy now. May God protect you and your family.
(13) F Silver, August 17, 2014 5:58 PM
loved your article
thank you.......You are awesome !!!! a real hero !!! good luck to you in the future.........you will be rewarded in your next life....
(12) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 5:37 PM
Amazing Story
Your story is amazing. I always say these types of stories should be made into movies. You are also very brave, but you most likely had a Jewish soul to begin with, and it found it's right place. I wish there many more like you. Good luck,.
(11) mgoldberg, August 17, 2014 5:18 PM
He's a fine man but he's incorrect about the Quran
Yes... he's a fine man. But his statements about the Quran saying "The Koran makes no mention of martyrdom or warring against the Jews."...There is nothing written about fighting." . Then he mentions the laudatory comments about Jews, the exodus. He apparently didn't read much because all of that is indeed abrogated and some 63% of the Quran is about what to do against the Kafirs the unbelievers. And it's not about giving out flowers and candy. And the hatred and warring is everywhere in the Quran, and developed in the Sira, and the hadiths which expains the declarations to declare Jihad for all time, everywhere, against the unbelievers. That was what made a failed self declared sociopath, mohammad, with 150 followers for 13 yrs, into the warring, conquering, subjugating, enslaving, terrorizing man who declared' I have been made victorious thru terror.' Yes this man Avraham Sinai is a fine man- but by declaring that the Quran says nothing about warring or hatred against Jews is to deny what exists on the page, was developed in it's hadiths and sira and it's history and allows for the enslavement of all others, as evidenced worldwide now. To deny this is to deny why there are moderate people, but no moderate Islam except where Islam has no power. When it has power, it subjugates, terrorizes, enslaved, and it's all int he Quran. The laudatory suras were all abrogated and replaced. That is why Islam declares war against all others, forever. And without understanding the theological mandate that can never be changed, we ennable the ongoing war against all others as Mohammad declared with his war against all other humankind.
Eli, August 18, 2014 12:27 AM
Quran Law
Monotheistic people may be considered believers. Also, many idolatrous religions believe in one highest God (like certain branches of Hinduism), including the Yazidis.
mgoldberg, August 18, 2014 2:20 PM
Re: monotheistic people...may be considered believers
The statement that monotheistic people may be considered believers, is mere rhetorical wishful thinking. The actual history is entirely opposed to this, as was the Koran. Here is Dr Andrew Bostom penning an article on koranic antisemitism with this included:
a central anti-Jewish motif, the Koran decrees an eternal curse upon the Jews (Koran 2:61/ 3:112) for slaying the prophets and transgressing against the will of Allah. This motif is coupled to Koranic verses 5:60 and 5:78 which describe the Jews transformation into apes and swine (5:60), having been "...cursed by the tongue of David, and Jesus, Mary's son" (5:78). The related verse, 5:64, accuses the Jews-as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas did in a January 2007 speech, citing Koran 5:64-of being "spreaders of war and corruption", a sort of ancient Koranic antecedent of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
From the advent of Islam, dehumanizing Jews as apes (Koran 2:65/7:166), or apes and pigs (Koran 5:60) transcended any mere application to "Sabbath breakers." Muhammad himself, in both the sira (early, sacralized Muslim biographies) of Ibn Ishaq and Ibn Sa‘d, referred to the Medinan Jews of the Banu Qurayza as "apes" just before orchestrating the slaughter of all their post-pubertal men. This sacralized massacre is the prototype.
Muslims are advised not to take the Jews as friends (5:51), and to beware of the inveterate hatred that Jews bear towards them (5:82). The Jews' ultimate sin and punishment are made clear: they are the devil's minions (4:60) cursed by Allah, their faces will be obliterated (4:47), and if they do not accept the true faith of Islam-the Jews who understand their faith become Muslims (3:113)-they will be made into apes (2:65/ 7:166), or apes and swine (5:60), and burn in the Hellfires (4:55, 5:29, 98:6, and 58:14-19).
Moshe, August 19, 2014 12:04 AM
This is Clear Islamophobia
Those verses are talking about non-believing Jews and those who mock God-fearing Muslims. You can distort in the same fashion verses in the New Testament and even the Torah itself, including its traditions. Yet, we all know that oral traditions and evolved thinking by leaders from all faiths have explained these kind of verses to refer to non-believers like atheists and idolators--people who live evil lives. However, believers and those who are decent people who are struggling with their faith, are clearly non included in these verses.
(10) Morton Friedman, August 17, 2014 5:16 PM
A fantastic story, but I do wonder what Koran he was given to read. No, I cannot read the Quran in Arabic, but I trust that my english translations, plural, are accurate.
(9) Debra, August 17, 2014 5:14 PM
You're amazing in so many ways!
Post this on FB!
(8) Dr. Dee, August 17, 2014 4:16 PM
Thank you for sharing
Thank you, Avraham, for sharing your story. I hope your message will reach many people. Your courage and emunah are an inspiration for all of us!
(7) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 4:13 PM
Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with all of us who so admire him..
May this man and his family have a long, healthy, and peaceful life.
(6) nathan landa, August 17, 2014 3:54 PM
This needs to be translated ASAP
We all know that this is an actual inner struggle, a manifestation of our own hatred, and our innability to unite... but for the world these stories are eye openers
(5) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 3:14 PM
WOW!
Hashem should protect you and your family always!!
(4) Tzvi, August 17, 2014 2:36 PM
Bravery Under Fire
As a patriotic American and Haredi Jew, I salute you for your courage. I have met and thanked many American veterans of wars ranging from World War II and Korea to Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Quite frankly, your bravery should get you a solid gold medal (as if that would be anywhere near enough) to thank you. On behalf of my family, we send you our gratitude and a salute from America. May Hashem bless you and your noble family- and may Hashem bless my family with the honor of one day meeting and saluting you face to face- Amen V'Amen.
(3) Anonymous, August 17, 2014 2:15 PM
Excellent!
This is excellent! Thank you so much for posting it!
(2) Yehudith Shraga, August 17, 2014 2:14 PM
Very intresting story
Thank you for the courage to share your story with the world, and telling what your soul has chosen once it was given the freedom of choice.
(1) JB Stein, August 17, 2014 2:13 PM
The picture by the headline
Very interesting article, but the image by the headline is rather confusing: It seems to indicate that conversion to Judaism also includes cultural assimilation into the Ashkenazi community. Wouldn't an Arab convert be more likely to identify with the Mizrachi community? Being Ashkenazi is great (I am Ashkenazi and love it), but it's not the only way of being Jewish by birth or by choice. The Jewish people is one big colorful family.