Why I Left Jihad: The Root of Terrorism and the Return of Radical Islam by Walid Shoebat Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Why I Left Jihad: The Root of Terrorism and the Return of Radical Islam
Book Review: brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
This book needs to be distributed widely. It shows the true side of Islam and gives a fresh insight into biblical prophecy. You may not agree with everything that Walid writes but the point of the book is to make people think. Great bookBook Review: The testimony of a former PLO terrorist.
Summary: 5 Stars
Much of this extremely thorough and well written study is written from an autobiographical perspective, describing in some considerable detail the personal experiences and faith of the author, together with an often disturbing insight into the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Particular attention being paid to the Palestinian/Arab-Israeli conflict. The writer describes himself in the text at the very outset as having been born in Bethlehem of Judea, Israel. The significance of this precise statement emanates from the text as the reader is confronted with the author's experiences and personal faith, first as a devout Muslim and then as a born again Christian.
The source pulls no punches as he declares himself to be a former Palestinian Liberation Organisation terrorist and someone who has been imprisoned for his participation in acts of incitement and violence against Israel.
It is difficult to remain unmoved when confronted with the personal account of how, from childhood, the hatred of Jews is described as having been his "education" and how he grew up allegedly believing that it was a righteous thing to hate and kill Jews.
The book cites how Walid's life was turned upside down, when through his studies, he describes how he purportedly discovered that "..everything that he had been taught about the Jews was a lie..."
An episode described in the context of how, during a process of study, he attempted to convert his wife to Islam
What transpired becomes the platform for this excellent study, which is not only an autobiographical account of Walid, but also a detailed investigation into anti-Semitism, the Middle East, Christianity and Islam itself.
As the book progresses the writer declares that "...I am no longer a terrorist. I am a Christian, dedicated to peace and truth..."
Indeed, the entire message of this book cited as being written with the declared intent of bringing love and truth to anyone who is prepared to listen.
The brutal yet gripping honesty of the writer's involvement in terrorism, professed hatred of the Jews, and his uncompromising look at almost all the fundamental tenets of Islam is often quite disturbing.
The author describes how he found it amazing that when he was a self confessed terrorist, and a hater of the Jews, he was hailed as a freedom fighter. Yet, by way of comparison, when he became a Christian and began loving the Jewish people, he was suddenly abused as a "racist" and a "traitor".
The former PLO terrorist leaves the reader with the clear message that terrorists recognise no ethics or moral code and that the Israelis face an enemy with whom they cannot negotiate because the primary goal is not the territory. Basing such statements on personal knowledge/experience, the reader is shown that such aspirations are purportedly only secondary issues with the primary intent being the elimination of Israel itself. A plethora of references are provided to support this assertion.
The book illustrates how vigorously the West today is focussed upon creating a Palestinian state, while allegedly sidestepping he Palestinian Charter that is cited as calling for an Arab state in the place of Israel, with no Jews, and with Islam as the official state religion.
The book also investigates the alleged misinformation in the media together with what is called the "miasma of words that insulates the public from the evil of terrorism" in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. The book demonstrating how it is not difficult for extremists to allegedly explain Islam in a completely untruthful fashion to the unquestioning moderates and win them over by the droves. Such a statement being made within the context of sincere concern as to how so many Westerners, especially on the far left side of politics, allegedly demonise Israel and exonerate Islamic-Arab terror.
Through an abundance of references the reader is shown how Palestinian schools/textbooks are allegedly required to portray the existence of Israel as a catastrophe and how hatred of the Jews is purportedly an integral part of their curriculum.
The study also proceeds to investigate the Jewish claim to the Holy Land as described in the Hebrew Christian Scriptures. The book discusses how some elements of the professing Church within the Middle East allegedly adhere to the doctrines of replacement and liberation theology and do not recognise what he cites as the true place of Israel as literally cited in the Bible. One senior Church leader in Jerusalem is quoted on page 39 as being recorded on tape by the author as stating that "Israel must be eliminated, by whatever means".
Indeed, the entire situation in the Middle East is also discussed from a Biblical perspective, including the prophetic sections of the Hebrew Christian Scriptures pertaining to the end times and how such compare with those within the Islamic faith that the writer once adhered to.
Many will perhaps disagree with the views presented here and find the contents to be contentious/controversial. Irrespective of the individual's opinions I would highly recommend this study as one of the most timely, gripping and relevant studies of recent years and an account which is an absolute "must read" in relation to the ongoing situation in the region.
Book Review: Credance to Zionist fundamentalism
Summary: 2 Stars
A strange book that gives undue credance to the fundamentlist Zionist view that God allocated them a tract of land some thousands of years ago and that this allows modern Zionists to trample on the human rights of Palestinians, Lebanese and anyone else who gets in their way.
The demonisation of Islam is perhaps even more disturbing however, and is deeply non-historial. Not much more than 50 years ago, different religions and ethnic groups lived side by side in the Middle East. Israel has replaced this with racism and religious conflict.
Book Review: Essential Reading
Summary: 5 Stars
No one can understand today's headlines without a through grounding in history. This book is a well researched and well documented study of the conflicts which affect all of us in our every day lives.Book Review: Useful background
Summary: 4 Stars
This book presents some personal-level background useful in understanding the ongoing situation in the area, especially if read with the suitably critical filtration system up!
Mind you, if the filtration system consists of "anything positive about Jews or negative about Moslems is lies" (such as your Baghdad reviewer who seems to think the fault is Israel's for daring to exist rather than the fault of the surrounding enemies determined to destroy every Jewish person down to the smallest baby, in the name of an Allah who is somehow still "merciful") save yourself the cover price!