For the record, this review is not a part of the Ooze Select Blogger reviews. This book, Once an Arafat Man is the biography of the Dad of one of my best blog-friend, Ben Abu Saada. Thanks, Ben, for the opportunity to read this great book.

Once an Arafat Man's sub-title couldn't be a better synopsis of the book in general, "The true story of how a PLO sniper found a new life." The opening sequence of the book reads like some of the best action oriented fiction out there, but you have to keep in mind that not only are the related events actual parts of our world history, but they are also a first-hand account of the man writing the book.

I don't want to give away a ton of what goes on in the book and steal that pleasure from you, but the book is a real eye-opener for someone like me who has always been a firm (sometimes zealous) supporter of Israel. When you peek into the life of a Palestinian born in a tent near the beginnings of the last century's conflict between Jews and Arabs, you cannot help but have your worldview shifted somewhat—maybe not so much a shift in thought but an increased clarity because of learning about the other side of the issue.

Make no mistake, just as Tass Saada affirms in latter parts of his autobiography, Israel has a right to exist, and the Lord Himself promised them the land. But, also make no mistake that the Palestinian people have been abused, treated as non-entities at times, and used as political pawns by forces on all sides of the conflict. That's enough to make any people group be filled with animosity and hatred.

I think Once an Arafat Man is a book we should be paying close attention to, especially in our current, post-9/11 world. If you want some insight as to how a young child can go from being a mother's sweet little boy to someone willing to give their very life for a cause—willing to kill everyone who stands in their way—then you need to read the story of Taysir Abu Saada.

In some ways, Tass's story struck me how closely it parallels that of Paul the apostle at some points. Here is a man who not only served as a sniper for Arafat's Fatah, but in his spare time he personally persecuted Christ-followers in Jordan. Yet, for all of that, you can read the hand of God upon him throughout his life, protecting him from death and harm when, by all rights, he should have died many times over.

Once and Arafat Man is, from beginning to end, a story of redemption. Again, like Paul, Tass Abu Saada was not a good man, something he admits to himself in the book. Here is the story of a man who could easily be totally broken today. A man who, because of the choices he made in life, could find himself completely alone and bereft of everthing—family, fortune, faith—and again by all rights should probably find himself there. Such is the transforming and redemptive power of Christ.

Even when Tass is tricked by his own family into leaving Fatah, his dabbling with learning the French language, and eventual exodus to snowy Missouri, were all part of God's leading on his life. It seems, in hindsight, that step by step over time, God purposefully led Tass away from his hate-filled life among his people into a very personal experience with Jesus Christ.

Tass's conversion to Christ is in of itself extraordinary, and the subsequent transformation of not only himself, but his entire family was a wonder to read. It was very similar to some of the stories you read about in the book of Acts, how God gets ahold of and transforms an entire family. Most importantly, you can see that the transformation of heart in the Abu Saada family was complete as you see where each of them are today, years after their conversions. There's not a one of them who is not actively ministering in some way today. (It was pretty cool to learn more about Ben and read a little bit of his part of the family's story.)

One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was to read a former Muslim's take on Scripture, specifically how an Arab saw the book of Genesis. Folks, I think we Westerners have to admit that sometimes our viewpoints on the Bible are skewed, just as Tass learned his own view had been colored by his background and education.

Split into three sections, the book brings us through Tass's life all the way up to the present, telling about where he is now and what he is doing with his life. Tass has a vision of reconciliation between Arabs and Jews, something that has met with nothing but failure for decades, if not centuries. It is only through Jesus Christ and His love expressed through His people that true reconciliation will be found.

Go back and do a careful reading of Genesis with "Palestinian" eyes and get a glimpse of God's plan for the Arabs and Jews. It's a beautiful thing. The children of Issac and Ishmael living together in peace and harmony in the land God promised them all. Only something that could be done through God's work through Jesus Christ.

Of interest in view of current events, something we should pay very close attention to in the coming days, is learning something of the mindset of the Arab/Muslim world. Here's a quote from pages 197-198:

This pattern of finessing the truth, of saying one thing but doing another, is epidemic in Middle Eastern politics. It explains why progress is often so excruciatingly slow. It also illustrates the desperate need on all levels, from high government halls to the common street, to speak honestly and accurately about one's intentions.

There is a cultural problem here, in that lying is viewed within Islam as an acceptable tactic if it advances the goals of the religion. To help the cause of Allah by misleading an infidel is perfectly noble. Thus, Arab leaders are infamous for duplicity with Israel and the Western nations.

In fact, they even practice it among themselves.

I could go on and on about this book, but then there would be no point in you buying it and reading it yourself. I would encourage you to click one of the links above and buy this book from Amazon, you won't regret it, and your eyes will be opened to the Arab mindset and the grace of God in ways you've never seen before.

I'd also encourage you to follow the Once An Arafat Man blog for updates about the book, news about Tass's ministry in Palestine, and more insight into the goings on in the Middle East.

Thanks again, Ben, for sending me a copy of your Dad's great book.

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