Son of Hamas

by Mosab Hassan Yousef

with Ron Brackin

I'm sure we all have opinions about what is happening in the middle east, but as Americans can we really appreciate the struggles between the Palestinians and the Israelis? We have been sheltered in the U.S. for the most part, so it is hard to understand a religious war that has gone on for thousands of years.

'Son of Hamas" by Mosab Hassan, is a great book to help us understand the mind set of a Palestinian. Mosab's father is one of the seven founders who started Hamas. His father (Sheikh Hassan Yousef) was well respected and loved by his people who followed his direction. The purpose of Hamas in the beginning was civil disobedience to awaken and mobilize the Palestinians so that they would understand their need for independence. He eventually was able to convince others to blow themselves up, even though he would not harm anyone himself.

Mosab tells how he became a secret agent for the Shin Bet of Israel. He was arrested and held in one of the most feared prisions in Israel. You will read how he was broken down and then befriended. Then Shin Bet made him an offer to let him go if he would work for them. The story takes off with him spying on Hamas which ends up saving thousands of lives. You learn of secret operations of the Hamas as well as the Shin Bet and many of the situations that were in the news.

During this time Mosab had an encounter at the Damascas gate, he was asked to a Bible study and he thought it might be interesting to learn about Christianity, after all he had learned so much from the Shin Bet about the Israelis . That started him on a new path, especially when he read Matthew 5:43-45, which says "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven".That changed him forever and gave him a new purpose. He takes you on his six year journey working against Hamas and learning about Jesus and the God of the Bible.

This book will help you understand better from three different perspectives the Middle East crisis and the lives of everyday people and how they deal with the violence.

Take a walk through Mosab's life and when you finish this book you will want to pray for him because he sacrificed so much to save the lives he did. Check out his facebook page for more information.

May God Expand your Territory and your thinking,

Barbara