Why I Befriended a Known ISIS Sympathizer

“Be safe.” “Don’t go to dangerous places.” “Don’t do what you aren’t comfortable with.” I’ve heard lots of people say these things. But is this really what life is about? What if there’s a grand adventure for us out there that requires us to take these risks? One big risk I took while in the Middle East was witnessing to and befriending a known ISIS sympathizer. Here’s the story:

We didn’t get to choose our Arabic teacher. Our language school assigned my roommate and I to a man in his late twenties.

He wasn’t tall, nor was he particularly built, but he wore a traditional Arab garment called a thobe (shown in the featured picture). He was a quirky guy, who I’ll name Q. Though he didn’t speak a word of English, we found out that he had a flock of goats. We also discovered that whenever ISIS came up out in the break room, he always seemed to defend their cause.

Hello danger.

Should we continue learning from him even if he sympathized with ISIS? We didn’t want to keep quiet that we were Christians, but would that put us in danger?

This was all happening back in 2016 when ISIS was huge and had a lot of power.

At first, this wasn’t too big of a deal because we always met him at the school. Nor did he know where we lived.

That next year, things changed. The school lost their office, so the teachers had to meet more privately. I don’t know why we didn’t recognize the potential danger earlier, but Q started meeting me at our house.

Q was in the midst of his Islamic studies to become a Sheik (A Muslim priest). By far he was the most devout Muslim I have ever met. During our breaks at my house, he’d go out in front of my house and pace back and forth reciting the Qur’an.

I have hundreds of Muslim friends, and I’m not afraid of any of them. Many of them even wore the same traditional clothes as Q and studied Islam. However, none of them defended ISIS like Q did. If he agreed with lots of what ISIS was doing, then did he also agree that Muslims should kill “infidels”?

Now Q and I got along great. We often joked about how his goats were planning a mutiny and that one day they’d come to me to be their master rather than him. We laughed a lot together.

Then, he invited me to his house outside the city.

Turning down his invitation would insult him. Even though we got along just fine, a side of me had to wonder if all this was a ploy to get me to go to his house.

I knew I was Q’s only Christian friend. So, if I insulted him, how would that impact his perception of all Christians? How would that impact the relationship we built over the last year and a half?

He needed the gospel, but I didn’t need to live. How could I value my temporary life over his eternal soul, especially if I was promised a far more abundant life in eternity?

But was this smart?

It definitely wasn’t safe.

Even though I prayed about it, I didn’t really hear God speak. Yet, at the same time, the Bible seemed pretty clear on what I should do.

The Bible speaks of God’s servants stepping into danger over and over again. David faced Goliath. Moses stood up to Pharoah. Stephen died for his faith. Peter died to share the gospel. Paul faced death many times for the sake of spreading the gospel until he was executed . . . because of his faith.

Was it then my turn?

I would’ve brought someone with me, but visiting his house was part of our language school class. It would’ve been weird to bring someone with me. And it would’ve shown him that we didn’t trust him.

So I went alone.

We drove far out of the city.

I started sharing my location with my roommates so they’d know where to start looking if something happened.

But nothing happened.

I had a great time with his odd family. He showed me his goats, taught me how to make Arabic tea, and I learned a lot of new Arabic words. In the end, he invited me to his house because we were friends.

He might be a minor ISIS sympathizer, but he’s still a human. A human with friends. A human with a quirky and fun personality. But, above all else, he’s a human who needed the gospel. Though he didn’t trust in Christ during the two years I spent with him, God used me to plant hundreds of seeds.

Perhaps one day, he’ll reach his breaking point and remember our friendship. Maybe one day I’ll meet him in heaven. But, one thing is certain: I’m so glad I didn’t give in to my fear.

I’m glad I befriended him even if he might’ve been an ISIS sympathizer to a small degree.

You Can Live the Adventure Also

Don’t believe the lie that your life has to be boring. You can live an adventurous life. It’s scary. Sometimes it’s hard. But, it will fill your life with meaning and vibrancy. I’ve never once regretted it and I don’t think you will either.

If you want to know how you can live this adventurous life, then you will definitely want to check out my newest book Discovering God’s Calling, which just launched today! This book will help you find the unique gifts and talents God’s given you, as well as figure out how you can find God’s specific calling for your life that will thrill and amaze you. Click the link below for more details.

Let’s live wilder.

 

If you liked this story, you should check out my other blog where I share about when I accidentally trespassed on Royal grounds: What is Your Craziest God Story from the Middle East?