Baghdad Believer

Baghdad Believer Book Excerpts 

a. page 26.  After the Abduction
Father was very solemn as he then asked, "And how much blood did they take from you?"

Mama gasped. Uncle's eyes were a bit large as he bit his lip a moment.

"They left me enough to enjoy the tea with you and to thank you for your hospitality. I am happy to see all of you again, and I wish you peace." He rose, formally shook hands with Father and me, nodded at Mama, and walked out.

I followed him to the door and let him out, shutting it after seeing him hobble through the gate, being careful not to stress his right leg.
I returned inside to hear my father's judgment.

b. page 65-67.  A Hidden Koran
On the entry table was my green book, and Hadija was standing next to it, crying. Shutting the door, I hung up my jacket and cap and waited.
"You are trying to get us killed, after all your talk about loving me. You want to destroy my family and me. Why?" she sobbed....Father's displeasure grew into a volcano of hate and bitterness against me as he spoke. "If the fanatics do not kill you for this, I will. No son of mine is going to shame this family by hiding blasphemy under the cover of a Koran. I will surely tell them where you live and where you work, and they will cut you into pieces and make you scream for death. You are a disgrace to your mother and to this family."

c. page 76-77.  At a Funeral
After a few minutes, I, too, shook hands again with the father (of the murdered cousin), telling him that there is no peace except the peace from God.
He motioned me to sit beside him. I sat and waited. "My son was killed because someone wanted the worthless car he was driving. Why?"
It was a question without answer, and I had none to offer. I waited, and after a pause he continued.
"He also talked as you just did, saying that there was no peace except for peace from God. He had changed in the past few months and had become so considerate and obedient to me. He wanted to please me so much, like when he was a small child. He wanted to please me and now he is dead and I, an old man, am still alive. It is fate, but life should not be so. Where is the God who created us to live like this?"
His hand was shaking, and I took it in both of mine, thinking of a respectful but true answer.
"My uncle, in the beginning God created the earth, and he said it was good. He created man and woman and said
that it was good. Then came the evil one who wanted to be as God, and it was he who began to destroy the children
of man and woman. However, God promised that the suffering would end one day and that there would be peace
and happiness. And that the peace would come through obedience to the honorable will of God, not through the
efforts of man to make more laws and be more religious.
Peace is from inside yourself, my uncle, not from what is outside of you. Forgive me for daring to speak to you in
such a way, my uncle. In my youthfulness I am rash and unwise to speak so to you."
"No, it is good. This is a tent full of sadness, and I want hope. Yes, there is hope in God, and I seek to find peace with God, even if he took my son."
"Yes, my uncle. May God give you peace and safety.
May God give strength to your hands and your voice as you give encouragement to others who look to you for wisdom and counsel and direction in their lives. May God go with you."
I kissed his hand, backed away, turned, and left.

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Table of Contents
Preface to the Book
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