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Jesus Shines at Funeral for Martyred Palestinian Christian |
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Source: www.assistnews.net Date: Ocotber 26, 2007
By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
GAZA CITY, GAZA (ANS) -- The motorcade carrying the body of a martyred Palestinian Christian displayed a huge cross of Christ as it wound through Gaza City - a rare constellation of light in the midst of darkness.
 | | Rami Ayyad |
Rami Ayyad, 32, the manager of Gaza City's only Christian bookstore, was abducted October 6th and found stabbed to death the following day. He left behind a pregnant wife, Pauline, and two young children.
The attack came six months after his Palestinian Bible Society bookshop was bombed, and nearly daily threats of violence thereafter. No arrests have been made in the killing.
"He was a dear friend, the sweetest person you would ever meet," says Brother Ahmed, one of an estimated 2,500 Palestinian Christians living in the troubled area.
In the midst of Ayyad's funeral motorcade -- led by Hamas gunmen -- there was a rare sight in Gaza City. "In the front seat of the vehicle carrying his body there was a Christian carrying a huge cross as they paraded through the streets of the city," Ahmed says. "People on both sides of the street could see it," he notes. "I don't believe Gaza City ever saw anything like that."
"The glory of God was shining so much," Ahmed says. "There were many Muslims who showed up for his funeral who knew him."
Brother Ahmed thinks Hamas officials have turned a blind eye to the perpetrators of the crime. "I really believe they know who did it and they are just turning the other way," he notes. "Arafat did the same thing. He didn't try to stop the suicide bombers; he just turned the other way."
"The Christian world should hold Hamas responsible if the murderers are not caught," he adds.
Meanwhile, a pervasive tension grips most of the population. "The situation in Gaza - especially for Christians is getting very critical," Ahmed says. "These brothers and sisters need to be lifted up in prayer, because they're living under oppression."
"If people speak their mind they disappear," he says. "Anyone who speaks against Hamas and their policies or speaks out about peace or democracy disappears."
While there are about 2,500 Palestinian Christians in the area, many want to leave due to the adverse living conditions. "There are also Muslim converts, but they are underground," Brother Ahmed says.
He describes one such underground covert who was born again after Jesus appeared to him in a dream. This believer is currently on the run, seldom spending more than one night in the same location.
"The pressures are getting so high, many Christians are leaving," Brother Ahmed says. "I hope the Christian community will wake up and pray for these brothers and sisters among the Muslims."
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