Το σκισμένο πέπλο

by Gulshan Esther, Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κρήτης κ. Ειρηναίος (Translator)

H Εσθήρ Γκιουλσάν από το Πακιστάν, χτυπημένη από τυφοειδή πυρετό και καθηλωμένη σε αναπηρικό καρότσι, επιζητά την ίαση. Μεγαλωμένη σε "ορθόδοξο" μουσουλμανικό περιβάλλον, με πατέρα θρησκευτικό ηγέτη του Ισλάμ και πλούσιο γαιοκτήμονα, επειδώκει να "γνωρίσει" τον προφήτη του Κορανίου που υπήρξε και θεραπευτής: Τον Ιησού! Η θεραπεία της θα έρθει, αλλά τη μεταστροφή της στο Χριστιανισμό θα συνοδεύσουν η δίωξη από το οικογενειακό περιβάλλον, η φυλάκιση, οι απειλές για τη ζωή της και εμπειρίες στέρησης και θυσίας. Στο τέλος όμως πολλοί και πολλά θα αλλάξουν γύρω της...

Η ιστορία της Εσθήρ Γκιουλσάν είναι όντως συγκλονιστική. Δείχνει ότι ο Θεός δίνει την ευκαιρία της αποκάλυψης του προσώπου Του σε όλους. Το βιβλίο θέτει πολλούς απο εμάς ενώπιον των ευθυνών μας σχετικά με την υπόθεση "πίστη". Αφυπνίζει συνειδήσεις, ακρωτηριάζει την "εύκολη" χριστιανική ζωή. Προβάλλει ένα παράδειγμα θυσίας, αλλά και αληθινής χαράς...

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Islam, Faith, Christianity

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, uplifting book that shows a different side to the Muslim world and the Islamic faith. I read this in a day, the story of Gulshan Esther was so gripping: how she went from a pampered, disabled cripple who was unable to do anything for herself, was healed by Jesus and went on to face prison, guns held to her head by her own brothers, poverty, and sorrow to emerge as a shining witness who refused to give up her faith. It is also a balanced view of two worlds and even allows us to see the loving, nurturing, faithful side of Islam and the disappointing side of Christianity too. A very inspiring book.

[Ieva]

Grāmata, kurai vērtējumu nevaru likr, jo tās mērķis nav izklaidēt ar literāri augstvērtīgu tekstu, bet nodot liecību jeb vēstījumu. Kārtējo reizi novērtēju, ka esmu dzimusi tieši šeit un tagad. Esmu pārliecināta, ka neesmu tik stipra kā Gulšana un viņas vietā nebūtu kļuvusi par kristieti.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a Spanish translation which wasn't terribly good (apparently it went to press without being proofread At All, and someone trusted Microsoft Word's grammar checker faaar too much) and even so it gripped me from first to last. Though a convert to Christianity myself at age 30 (from a faux-Christian cult), I have never tended to read much "testimony literature" as the ones I run across always seem to be the kind that might give the unwary reader the impression that once you meet Christ you never sin again, and your whole family just automatically converts...and if they don't, it's because of yoooouuuuu. Yeah, right.

This book is not like those, thank God. Gulshan Esther tells it the way it was--and as you can imagine, a Muslim woman converting to Christ after a miraculous healing of lifetime disability that the doctors couldn't help--well, it wasn't pretty. Her family basically had her jailed to see if she'd get over it. She didn't. The difference between religion and faith is right there: faith is in a Person, not a system or a liturgy. True faith doesn't "go away." The author doesn't bash on her family or their beliefs either, but shows her life the way it really was, before and after she found Him in the pages of the Koran. It might have been so much easier to continue her comfortable lifestyle and be one of the "hidden church"--but Esther, much like her namesake in the Old Testament, was made of sterner stuff. An amazing woman. An amazing book.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and powerful.

[Amy Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Christians in the United States, we tend to neglect or ignore how to share The Gospel with the Muslim world. To be effective in sharing The Word, we must educate ourselves on Muslim culture and faith. Gulshan Esther shares her Christian testimony which is powerful and awe inspiring while being extremely respectful of her Muslim roots.

Let me preface, that I find it difficult to justify spending time reading any book other than the Bible. God has a great deal of work to do in me and I hate to be distracted. This book was a gift from my sister, who is a woman burning for the Lord, so I decided to read it. Besides, it is pretty short - I read it in 1.5 days and then read it again. This book, however, was filled with Bible scripture references and Koran scripture citing Christ in their culture. I love reading about Jesus in other cultures and faiths - this was exciting stuff to me.

This book reinforced to me the importance of reaching out to the un-reachable, loving the hated and rejoicing in the shock and awe God is capable of anytime, anywhere and with anyone in the world. This book inspired me to refine how I share the Good News no matter where I am and with whomever I am with. Great summertime read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gulshan grew up in Pakistan, the daughter of a devout Muslim family. Typhoid as a child left her paralyzed on one side so that she needed help with even the most basic of tasks. Her father sought healing for her and it was a trip to see a specialist in England that was pivotal. The doctor indicated that the only hope of a cure for her was prayer. They then made a pilgrimage to Mecca seeking healing, which didn't happen. But it made Gulshan hungry to seek God further, particularly after her father's death. Sections of the Koran she read spoke to her of the prophet Jesus and she sought to know more. It led to a miraculous healing and conversion to Christianity. While the family was pleased about her healing, they were not happy at all about her new-found faith.
Really good. It's always interesting to me to read stories of Christians in other cultures, especially ones where to profess faith means hardship and persecutions. I'm struck by the way they are able to stand firm and it is a challenge to my own faith. I don't know if she intended the double meaning in the title, but I see it and like it. Torn veil in terms of no longer hiding behind the veil of Islam, but also the torn veil of entering relationship with the Lord.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born into high nobility, but with a physical disability, Gulshan is no stranger to pain and suffering. Yet, once Jesus miraculously heals her, her life gets even more complicated. Convinced that it is now her duty to evangelize to other family members and tell of Jesus's salvation, Gulshan faces persecution, being disowned by family members, threats against her own life, and even imprisonment all on account of her faith. Yet, despite all the difficulties, Gulshan remains firm in her conviction and eventually is used by God in incredible ways to witness not only in her home country of Pakistan, but around the world.

This book is profound and moving. For all the skeptics out there, but amazed and inspired by the miraculous events that take place (which find no other basis except in God's providential care and supernatural love). Allow this book to touch your own life, especially for those of us who come from countries in which we have no concept about what it means for others to forsake their first religion.

[Princess Nussi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book from a friend and didn't know what Glorious testimony was holding in my hands till the very moment i started reading it.
I loved this book! It really touched me and had tears in my eyes.
It is a story of Christ's power in relationship to man's pursuit of Him as the Bible says '' And ye shall seek me, and find me, for ye shall seek me with all your heart.,,-Jeremiah 29:13
So, as the book says she was looking for the Lord Jesus according to the verse from the Surah of Mejrem in the Quran ...and then comes the part when she experiences her personal meeting with the Lord Jesus and is being healed by Jesus,and comes to know Him as her Lord and Saviour. I won't reveal more I'll let you find out yourself :)
A glorious testimony book!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiography written by a former Muslim woman who grew up in a home of privelege but was physically crippled. It is the story of her spiritual journey, of her search for God, and consequent miraculous encounter with the Risen Savior. It is a marvelous book that reminds me every time I read it, that God reaches out to all who hunger for Him and reveals Himself in ways that are utterly astonishing and profound. I am reminded also at what great cost our brothers and sisters in Muslim countries serve the LORD.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When i read this book, i felt what its like to be a Christian in the Muslim world. It's very inspiring for me as a person who grew up in a Christian family. This story of courage and faith is really life-changing.

[Salma Tarannum · Rating 1 out of 5]

Biased

[Brian Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not anything really too good to say about this book.

[Nicole Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating life. I can’t believe I’ve never heard her testimony before. Bolstered my own faith in Jesus.

[Sophie Hanna]

Beautifully written, I cried many tears

[Svjetlana Tesla · Rating 2 out of 5]

O prelasku iz islama u hriscansrto jedne zene, pomalo dosadno i naporno

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling story.

[Tricia Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book on one Saturday back in June I went online and googled The author and found her live testimony on YouTube. What an amazing testimony! What I loved most was the fact her life intertwined with another women from Pakistan who at the time was around 48. In her book "I Dared to Call Him Father" they crossed paths and villages. It was amazing how God cares for each individual and wants a personal relationship with us all. Seek Him and you will Find Him!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story of how a woman raised in a Muslim family in Pakistan comes to know Jesus through the Koran. She prays persistently to Him for healing from her handicap, and He reveals Himself to her and heals her. She experiences many difficulties in living for Him, due to familial and societal pressure, but stands firm and experiences help and deliverance in incredible ways.

[Cynthia]

Americans tend to put God in a box and expect Him to do everything within their prescribed norms. This is the true story of a crippled Muslim girl who sought to know the truth of Jesus Christ. With only the Quran to read, and no way to leave her home, God proves once again that His hand is not slack to save to the uttermost.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books about Muslims becoming Christians have always interested me. I liked the first 3/4 of the book better than the last 1/4; the last part seemed kind of rushed and things stuck in just to get them in the book. It was amazing how she found truth and healing. Her courage despite what her family thought and did was impressive.

[Maxine Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly amazing story. A young disabled Muslim woman (Gulshan Esther) journeyed to Mecca for healing which never happened. Extraordinarily, Jesus then appeared to her and healed her. Her journey of faith led to many issues with her family and beyond, but she could not deny what had happened to her. A wonderful story, easy to read and challenging to all.

[Matt Friedman]

Obviously sincere, but one has to wonder if some of the signs of radical break with her family background (name change, dress change, haircut) were necessary and may have made things more and unnecessarily difficult

[Ulrike Grace Shumborski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an most revealing account of the miraculous work of the Lord Jesus today. I read this book in 2007 I believe and can yet bring to memory many of its facinating details. A must read for anyone even remotely interested in the culture of muslims.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book and found it inspiring. It is a story of God showing Himself in powerful ways to people who otherwise would never have had a chance to hear the gospel. It's also a story of being willing to be fully dependent on God.

[Dmreichle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is well written and inspiring. I was also convicted by her excitement over her commitment to her faith and her devotion and reverence and excitement over the Word of God. I need more of that in my life.

[RainbowWriter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a touching and beautiful true story. At first it seemed a little bit boring but when I read it further and further I barely could stop reading it until I finished. Very emotional and wonderful. Worth reading.

[Roshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutley stunning. I still cant forget the description of how the Lord Jesus appeared to young Gulshan, how Patros (Peter) gave her a ride on a horse chariot!! Just like old testament times !!
Iam deeply touched and speechless.....

[truenorth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring read of a girl who found Jesus, was healed physically and spiritually. She gave up her good life to follow the One who had healed her. As I said, it's an inspiring read; not really an entertaining one, though there is some adventure involved.

[Lisa Beyeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about courage, and the power of God.

[Roshani Sinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

hardcore stuff about islam....wish i cud believe in miracles by just reading about them...unfortunately can only believe what i see,touch or feel for myself.Good book,great life :)