Once an Arafat Man: The True Story of How a PLO Sniper Found a New Life

Let me start by saying that although I consider myself Christian, I have never before spent much time reading Christian books. In fact, I don't engage with Christian-themed media much at all. I bought this book upon the recommendation of my mother. I bought it somewhat reluctantly, but it has turned out to be an absolutely inspirational read. This book is absolutely fascinating, on many levels.From a secular standpoint, the book provides an amazing view on Arab culture to the Western reader. I have been to the Middle East, coincidentally, to many of the places Tass describes: Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Ramallah. I engaged with many people in all of these places, including Jews, Muslims, and Christians. And yet, the cultures of each group are so different from one another that I can't say I understood everything that I experienced. It's interesting to see these cultures through the more experienced eyes of Saada. He doesn't glorify or condemn the societies either of the Arabs or the West. You can see the beauty of each society, as well as how we can all learn from one another.The book provides a vivid first-hand account of how a person can become so radicalized that they might devote their life to violence. You feel the anger and indignation that simmered within Tass as a youth, and you can understand what drove him to commit the horrible acts he committed and how he was able to justify himself. To the average American, the Palestinian plight is completely misunderstood. This book impresses upon the reader the humanity of those on the other side of the "war on terror" and how the cycle of violence and revenge has brought the world to this point. These are crucial and timely points because Islam and its most radical variations are severely misunderstood in the West, and it's causing our society to move in very dangerous directions. Attempts to fight fire with fire are futile because one man's terrorist is another's martyr. One man's freedom fighter is another's guerrilla.On a religious level, this book provides a thought-provoking view of Christianity as the true religion of Jews, Arabs, and Gentiles--the religion of reconciliation and peace. Saada's knowledge of Islam allows him to compare and contrast the teachings that religion and Christianity in his advocacy for Christ. In addition, although the skeptical side of my nature doubts Saada in the most spectacular parts his story, time after time he follows his heart and lets his faith guide him, and he prevails in very precarious situations, and it lends credibility to the entire story. Still, it's not a fairy tale. The mature Saada does not convert everyone he speaks with, and clearly, despite his continued efforts, he doesn't seem to have had a major measurable impact on the situation in Israel. Yet, reading his story gives me hope for the future.The story of Saada's life is an amazing view of the ways in which God works with and through people. The book drives the reader consider the way in which they judge people and brings up some very sharp questions that maybe our society at large should consider:What punishment would you proscribe to someone who has killed in cold blood, and would you have the heart to forgive that person and allow them to redeem his self?My first thought at each stage of the book that Saada doesn't deserve the redemption and reconciliation he experiences throughout the book. Although he has hardships the likes of which most Americans could never imagine, he arguably dealt out far more pain himself, in the balance of things. Any court in any Earthly society would lock him away for life with no parole, if not simply hang him. However, I think this book shows that, unlike man, Jesus does forgive, and hopefully it challenges readers to reconsider their own views of punishment and redemption.

I went through and read some of the "low" star count reviews of this book because I just couldn't imagine anyone giving it less than "five" stars. I will say this has taught me one thing about these reviews and that is, that you just have to be careful how much weight you give them. Anyone who doesn't think this is a "five" star book just doesn't understand it in general. It's not a matter of the book being "boring" or "uninteresting", but rather a matter of not having the insight into world history and particularly the history of the Middle East. I mean c'mon, who knew that Arafat had made a decision for Christ---I certainly didn't and I found that portion of the book particularly captivating so it certainly isn't "boring".I wish I had all day to talk about this book. It was beyond incredible---first of all, the fact that this man is alive, is a miracle in itself, but then to find Jesus in a way that I have NEVER IN MY LIFE heard of before, is just fascinating. The depth of his heart for Isaac's brother, Ishmael, to connect with their God and each other is beyond anything that I have ever read before. This man has been given a mission from above, no doubt about it. The end of the book was a gift to me. Personally, it touched a nerve: one day I was in Amman, Jordan I was sitting next to a Jordanian MBB (Muslim Background Believer) and God pierced my heart with how much He loved her. Out of no where, He exposed MY heart and MY opinions of Ishmael's descendants---it broke me, and when I read the end of this book about what God's Word has to say on this subject I was once again broken. I have read the Bible through twice and studied it for over 40 years and never got the "truth of this matter" out of it. Thank you Taysir for ministering, for speaking out, and for loving with a love that only God could give you for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.

Satan did not want me to post my VERY POSITIVE review. After "posting" I could not find my "review". So, I will "REWRITE" my post, here. This is a most powerful book! I read it several years ago. Tass Saada gives a marvelous testimony of what THE LOVE OF JESUS CAN DO! He is only ONE EXAMPLE of the POWER OF JESUS' LOVE! Today I have sent his book to my 2nd cousin and his new bride whom he will marry on August 12, 2017. It is my fervent prayer that by reading Tass' book that they'll KNOW the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of JESUS and how far He is willing to go to LEAD UNBELIEVERS TO HIM! Tass' testimony is truly POWERFUL. If you are reading my comments now and have NOT read his book, PLEASE read it! Begin by reading "The Foreward" which is written by Joel C. Rosenberg, a Messianic Jew. Joel meets up with Tass at a Messianic Jewish congregation where he and Tass HUG eachother! This would not have been possible without THE LOVE OF JESUS, since Tass was FORMERLY a member of the PLO and Joel was a devout Messianic JEW! After becoming TOTALLY COMMITTED to Jesus, his LORD AND SAVIOR, Tass set up the organization entitled "The Hope of Ishmael" (or SEEDS OF HOPE, Tass Saada). If you GOOGLE this you'll find out how Tass' organization is bringing both Jews and Arabs together, to LOVE one another, UNCONDITIONALLY, through THE LOVE OF JESUS (it's a Christian humanitarian organization, meeting both physical and spiritual needs of both people groups)! Only through THE LOVE OF JESUS are Jews and Arabs able to LOVE ONE ANOTHER UNCONDITIONALLY, what, otherwise, is humanly IMPOSSIBLE to accomplish! It is also my fervent prayer that THE LOVE OFJESUS WILL CATCH ON LIKE WILDFIRE! It sure is better, than spreading hatred, don't you think!

This was a very inspirational book which illustrates that God loves all of us regardless of our ethnic background and legacy. I praise God that this is a story of a sinner saved by Grace and ultimately used for God's glory. It is a challenge to every Christian to ask God what He wants us to do to serve Him.

Recommend for anyone struggling over the Middle East / Israel - Palestine issues. Great to read the honest story of one man whose hatred changed the day he met Yeshua - the Jew who died to save not only his own people but his enemies too. Some really interesting background on Palestinian politics and Arafat. Heard the author in person shortly after as he came to our city. He and his wife are now running mixed schools for jewish and arab children.

Very readable real life account of Tass Saada who joined up with Fatah the Palestinian organisation then run by Yassar Arafat before going abroad and changing his religion. More importantly, it changed his outlook on life from angry young man intent on killing to a learning student of life and the importance of peace.Whilst his time in Fatah was in the 70's, he met Arafat again earlier this decade, and the book includes some of his work now in the Palestinian territories to change other people's lives for the better. Stirring stuff.Recommended.

This is a brilliant book very well written and grips the reader from the outset. An amazing story of a young life ruined by the bitterness of extreme islam turned around by salvation. A murderer who became a missionary, no human could make that change on their own, truly a real work of miraculous salvation in the heart of a young man and his dear wife. The sniper who learned at an early age to kill at will met the Lord Jesus, sought his forgiveness and became a great worker for the good of the Palestinian people

Tess story is amazing! His life is about God's loves to all his creation without discrimination regardels where you are from, what you have done before or what your back ground is. The love of Jesus is boarder less and limitless , I pray God to work through those people who stands for the people of Palestinians to think positively and help the young generation to have chance in life that they deserve ! ALL POSSIBLE IN GOD !

This book is very inspiring to see how The Lord Jesus can change a person in the twinkling of a eye from some one who has murder in their heart to love who you see as an enemy it just shows that Jesus is alive and still calling people to him and my prayer is many Muslim people and Jewish people will read this book to see and come to know GODS grace. Through Jesus Christ.