The seminar focused on the Fur language, a local language from where El-Taahir is from. A speaker at the seminar was a Christian pastor who preached scripture. The pastor spoke out of 2 Chronicles: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (7:14).” This verse struck El-Taahir. Forgiveness and healing. From the depths of his soul, he wanted both. They were characteristics almost foreign to him in his Muslim faith. Shortly after the seminar, he put his faith in Jesus.
At first, El-Taahir kept his faith secret, due to the fear of being attacked by Muslim relatives. Yet, he would gain courage in his faith following a powerful dream. In his own words, “I saw a dragon eating everything in its path, including people. I tried to fight it but failed. Then a voice shouted that the only way to defeat the dragon was by using the name of Jesus. I called on the name of Jesus and the dragon died.” After his dream, El-Taahir called a Christian friend who would encourage him to be bold in his faith, a decision which would come with it a very real cost.
After finding out he was a Christian, El-Taahir’s business partner cut him as a shareholder and refused to give him any of the funds due him. One of El-Taahir’s uncles heard he lost his share in the business. He called El-Taahir and asked if he was still a Muslim. He sturdied his faith and answered that he wasn’t. His uncle became furious and told the rest of the family.
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El-Taahir says, “My family canceled and revoked my engagement to my fiancé after learning that I was no longer a Muslim. My elder brother cut all his communications with me. I was excluded from my business because I was considered an infidel—I lost my sole source of income.”
To this day, El-Taahir remains unwelcomed in his community. But, gratefully, even though these challenges could have softened his faith, it’s only grown his relationship with Jesus. And his Christian friends have surrounded him and given him crucial support. In his own words, “The most healing place for me is at church.”
Not only has El-Taahir’s faith grown, he’s found a passion to share his faith with his community: “I need to reach my people with the gospel of salvation, so that they will be delivered from the power of darkness.” And God has already been at work in El-Taahir’s ministry: his mother has come to know Him, as well as two of his cousins.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” El-Taahir holds that scripture close to his heart and is constantly reminded that he is made new in Jesus Christ.
El-Taahir has shared with us some prayer points. Will you join us in praying for him now?
Lord, we love to hear stories like El-Taahir’s—stories of unshakeable faith. We ask You continue to give him a spirit to serve You. Help him reach his community and share with them the power of Your salvation. Please bless El-Taahir with a place to stay as well as a job to support himself. And we ask that his family continue to find You. Amen.
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About the authors
Kafeel Amani and Tim Dustin write and edit stories for Global Christian Relief, where they get to share the heart of the persecuted with the Church around the world. Get the latest blogs and prayer requests at GlobalChristianRelief.org
