Linga- Bethlehem

Hazem Farraj, the host of the Christian television show, Reflections, visited the city of Bethlehem upon his returning to his homeland.

In an exclusive interview with Linga, he shares his journey of conversion and how he came to follow Jesus as his Messiah. He spoke about his transformation from believing in Islam, to walking a very difficult road that led him to Christianity despite his family’s attempts to indoctrinate him with Islamic beliefs. Despite living abroad in the United States, his family still holds to their Islamic religion. Hazem told Linga that his conversion was the result of his curiosity to find God within Islam but found that it was void of love and inner peace. Instead, the personality of Jesus attracted him to learn more about the Christian faith, which he later adopted.

Hazem offered some advice for those who are secret believers in Christ within the Islamic community. Having been an underground secret believer for a number of years, he suggested to those still underground to not being in a hurry to become open about their faith in public. “When the Lord is ready to make someone publicly announce his or her faith, he will guide that person and they will know without any doubt when it is time,” Hazem said. He also urged the Arabic churches in the Middle East to open their doors and welcome the Muslim background believers rather than be fearful of the repercussions. “Most Muslims are amazing people with kind hearts, who simply need someone to lead them to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what Christ mandated His Church to do so it really is our responsibility to make Christ known to them,” he said.

When asked about the importance of media in spreading the Gospel, Hazem affirmed the necessity of using television and the Internet to send the Gospel message to those places where it is banned. He added, “Christian media is so crucial because it’s one of the most powerful ways to preach in anti-Christian nations. My TV show won’t change the world all by itself; however, it will change the heart of the viewer who is genuinely seeking for the Truth.”

Hazem also aimed a word of encouragement to Linga’s audience saying, “I’m so proud of the Christian community in the Holy Land because they have guarded the precious Christian faith despite the obvious troubles and hardships that are in the land. They are the believers who kept the faith. I encourage them to continue this walk of faith because the Lord is with them and they are not alone because Jesus is always leading them.  I am so proud to be a member of the Palestinian Church in the Holy Land and I am fully aware that the Arabic speaking Church is alive.”

It should be recognized that Hazem Farraj has maintained his Palestinian heritage as a believer from an Islamic background. He now lives in the Unites States and works in the Christian media world.