READ THIS BOOK: My Name Used To Be Muhammad & Giveaway!

I had to read this book twice. 

I even read the last chapter through muffled tears out loud to my parents. It is THAT good.

This book is fascinating, heart-breaking, eye-opening, educational, life-changing and TRUE.

Yes, you read that right. This book is a true story.

I was engrossed in this story from the first page.

I want to tell you enough about this book so that you will read it, but not too much. I want you to live this story for yourself.

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At the age of five Muhammad's father woke him at 4:45 am for the first time, and took him to the mosque for prayer. He was given a Qur'an for his birthday and told to read it. He was then told to memorize it. He spent everyday copying the book word for word. The length of the Qur'an is comparable with the New Testament. I googled that one.

Muhammad's father loved him very much and thought of him as chosen. He was being schooled and prepared to become a leader capable of leading a jihad, or in other words, a holy war. His job would be to convert nonbelievers to Islam. But not just to convert them as modern day missionaries would do. A Jihad is actually going to war against nonbelievers.

Muhammad was a good child. Obedient. Smart. Faithful. He loved his religion and was kind as I suppose the majority of Muslim's are. I felt that in telling his story he was very clear that Muslim's in general do not all feel this way about "Westerners". But his father wanted him to embrace the radical side of his religion.

As Muhammad starts to get older and attends University he begins to be exposed to a lot of different cultures. And after being so sheltered he is actually curious.

I won't tell you the whole story, but he eventually converts to Christianity. He is then imprisoned for 15 years for being a Christian. Did you read that? 15 YEARS!!!

Does this sound familiar to another story being talked about in the news?

I am just heart broken over the news that Pastor Saeed Abedini is still in prison in Iran, after more than a year, for charges of Christianity. How can this still happen? It is so heart breaking. Please pray for him and his sweet family. And please join the cause in helping him.

Religious Freedom is so important. It is vital to all human's. God gave us the gift of Free Agency for a reason.

My heart aches thinking of those who suffer the hopelessness of not being able to practice their faith, and yet are so faithful they just keep praising God.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite scriptures in The Acts 5:

 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
 41 ¶And they departed from the presence of the council, ^arejoicingthat they were counted worthy to ^bsuffer ^cshame for his ^dname.
 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and ^apreach Jesus Christ.

I love these scriptures. I love the example of people like Tito Momen and Saeed Abedini and of course Paul the Apostle, who were able to stay faithful and rejoice in suffering for our  Savior.

Muhammad changed his name to Tito after Titus in the New Testament.

I am really grateful he was able to tell his story!

What a powerful story it is.

What a BRAVE man.

And I have to share this picture. Tito was signing books for readers at the SLC Deseret Book when the man who baptized him, Brother Whatcott, showed up. They hadn't seen each other since 1989 in Cairo, just before Tito was imprisoned. The expression on Tito's face says it all and brings me to tears over and over again. What an incredible story he has to tell.

So does this sound like a book you would like to read?

I would if I were you. I think this would be the perfect Christmas Present.

You can purchase one online at Deseret Book or enter to win a free copy here.

To Enter Giveaway:

Please leave your name and an email address so I can contact you in the comment's below.

Good Luck!