From Cairo to Christ: How One Muslim's Faith Journey Shows the Way for Others

by Abu Atallah, Kent A. Van Til

"If I were to become a Christian, it would mean not only changing my religion but changing my whole identity and bringing shame upon my family. My whole family is Muslim, and my society and culture were Muslim. . . . Changing from Islam to Christianity would mess up my life forever."

So writes Abu Atallah, who grew up in Cairo as an ordinary Egyptian Muslim. He was deeply embedded in his family, religion, and country. For a time he was part of the Muslim Brotherhood. But as he came of age, he began to encounter people who followed a different way, who called themselves Christians. And a radically new life became possible—at great cost and risk, yet with great joy.

From Cairo to Christ is the remarkable story of how one Muslim man was drawn to the Christian faith, and how he later became an ambassador for Christ with a ministry in the Muslim world. Atallah has personally helped hundreds of Muslims come to Christ.

This narrative sheds light on Islamic cultural dynamics and what Westerners should know about Muslim contexts. Despite the challenges facing believers from Muslim backgrounds, God is bringing surprising numbers of Muslims to Christ. Discover how the good news of Jesus transforms lives in Muslim communities around the world.

Genres: Islam, Biography, Christian, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction

212 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2017

About the author

Abu Atallah is the founder and CEO of European Training Centre and a pastor, professor, and missionary with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He was born and raised in Egypt, and after his conversion was involved with Campus Crusade at Cairo University. In 1979 he came to the United States, where he attended the Urbana missions conference and heard God’s call to minister to his people.

Atallah founded the Arab American Friendship Center in Dearborn, Michigan, and was a consultant and trainer for Arab World Ministries in London and across Europe. He has ministered in fifty-six countries on six continents. He has a master of divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary and a doctorate of theology from Providence College and Seminary.

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was wonderful to read of Stephen’s salvation and heartbreaking to read about what he went through afterward. However, I cannot recommend this book.
Replacement theology, I thought there might be some in this book, but I didn’t expect it to be taught in great depth. It’s heartbreaking. More scripture is misused in an attempt to strip Israel of its God-given Promises than were used to explain Salvation. From other little glimpses of his theology, I’m guessing that we would have serious differences on other doctrinal issues as well.
The vast majority of this book is an attempt to explain Islamic Culture to Westerners. There is very little contrast drawn between it and the Bible, and much of this book reads as any other introduction to Islamic Culture. It does an adequate job. The writing style isn’t that great, but it’s not terrible either.
I received this book as a free ARC from NetGalley and InterVarsity Press. No review was required.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Cairo to Christ
How One Muslim's Faith Journey Shows the Way for Others

by Abu Atallah, Kent A. Van Til





InterVarsity Press







IVP Books

Biographies & Memoirs , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 02 Jul 2017



I am reviewing a copy of From Cairo to Christ through Intervarsity Press and Netgalley:
The author talks of how his Father was allotted only one small fish, and three loaves for the day during the war in the Suez, they were in Port Sa'id Egypt in 1956. He talks about how he was a good Muslim kid. He tells how his Mother was more religious than his Father, praying five times a day.eddr

The author goes on to talk about other Muslim customs like a Mmulim boy being circumcized at the age of twelve. He talks about the tradition of marrying cousins. He talks about growing up as a Child of Privillege and it being surprising to everyone himself included when he became a Christian.

In his final year of high school Stephen goes on to talk about joining The Muslim Brotherhood because his best friend had joined, thenrs he saw his friend go to the extreme of beating his wife.

Stephen goes on to tell how becoming a Christian could cause a Muslim to loose their life not only figuratively but literally.

Stephen talks about becoming a Christian, and then being baptized on Christmas Day 1977. The author goes on to talk about hiding his conversion at first, entering church services from the back and leaving early,

Stephen goes on to talk about getting kicked out of his home, his family, for converting to Christianity.

In 1989 Stephen was ordained as a minister and was sent to be a missionary among the muslims in Dearborn Michigan!

The author goes on to tell us of the complicated history between Egypt and Israel.

He goes on to tell us that a Muslim man is allowed to take a Christian or Jewish wife, that the tradition goes back to Mohammed, but a Muslim woman is not permitted to convert to Christianity.

The author goes on to remind us that it is no longer possible for missionaries to go openly into Muslim countries, so some do Evangelism as Biovocational Missionaries.

Despite all the difficulties, many Muslims are coming to Christ! But the transition often is not easy!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an eye-opening book looking at Christianity from a former Muslim man's vantage point. Abu Atallah's story is compelling and broadened my westernized ideas of how and where God is working today. It was instructive and encouraging.

I read "From Cairo to Christ" at the same time as I listened to "A Woman is No Man" audio book and would highly recommend reading them together. This book by Etaf Rum gives a chilling inside look into the life of Muslin women (even those living in the United States). It is a difficult book, but very worthwhile.

[Bronwyn Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much to learn and ponder from Abu Atallah's story: it is a remarkable read. It is powerfully compelling to hear why someone raised as a Muslim Arab would walk away from his culture, career and beloved family in order to follow Jesus... it makes me want to know Jesus better to see him as Atallah does. This testimony is also very clear that there is interest in and movement towards Christ among Muslims like never before: something to pray for and rejoice over! However, Atallah is also sober about the damage the West does to our witness for Christ in its treatment of Arabs (the chapter on Israel and Palestine from his perspective as an Egyptian-Arab-Christian is worth the price of the whole book). It is eye-opening, compelling, humbling reading; rich food for thought and for prayer.

(Disclosure: I was given an advance copy of this book. No review was required in exchange.)

[Brent Johnson]

A memoir can reveal insights on a moment in history. A good memoir can change your thinking on issues. Atallah's memoir of his life as a Middle Eastern Christian challenges many of our Western thoughts regarding Islam and the mission effort in Islamic Nations. The first chapter may put someone off since the author spends time relating his childhood in Egypt, but it worth persisting and reading the rest of the book. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in evangelism with Muslims. Having pastored a congregation in Bahrain I found much of what Atallah describes as very pertinent to our day.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir offers first person insights into everything from daily life to international politics to how to reach Muslims-from the perspective of someone who understands it from the inside. Quick, engaging read that will reinvigorate your prayers for Muslims and Muslim background believers in Jesus.

Thanks for sharing your story so transparently and clearly, Stephen. May God continue to bless your life and ministry!

[Marti Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

First-person narrative evidently written by Van Til based on interviews/other sources from Atallah). Describes the life of Atallah, an Egyptian Muslim man, focusing on how he came to Christ and into a global ministry to Muslims, then turns to analysis of Islam and issues Muslims face in the 21st century sometimes as illustrated from his own experience and that of others.

In some sections the authors are careful to acknowledge diversity in the Muslim world. In others, though, they seem to fall into the all-too-common trap of generalizing to the whole "Muslim World" from the perspective of someone who grew up among Arabs. Why do Arab men think they can speak for Muslims? Nevertheless, most of his statements seem sound, and the book has the benefit of being clear and readable, which might not have been possible had they authors made greater effort to deal with nuances. There's just enough history and theology to support their statements without getting bogged down and losing the reader.

Book's appeal may be limited in some circles by Atallah's perspectives on Christian Zionism (which he opposes) and moderate/democratic Islam (which he seems to see ultimately untentable). His heart for bridge-building comes across well, however, and he avoid several other issues that divide Christians in their views of Muslims and ministry to Muslims.

[Taylor Leick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I met the author before reading this book and really loved him, which positively impacted my reading.

I particularly enjoyed learning more about Islam as it is practiced today in the US through a very loving but critical lens.

The writing was a little dry and almost historical, particularly when discussing difficult times in the authors life, it was so brief and unemotional when describing arrest and beating and interpersonal strifr that it was actually jarring and weakened the emotional heft that it would have otherwise had. I know that is the author's personality to not dwell on challenges, but I think it deserved more than the treatment it got.

I saw some other reviewers take issue with the chapters that were anti-zionist, but those too were educational, biblically grounded, fair, and worth hearing from a christian arab perspective, which most christian Americans like myself have not been exposed to.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an auto-biography of an Egyptian Muslim who converted to Christianity and then led outreach to Muslims in Europe and America. The author does a good job of writing an interesting book without being so technical that it is hard to follow. He also does a nice job of presenting an honest portrait of both Middle Easterners and Westerners without ignoring the problems of either, but by engaging with grace. He talks a lot more about life as a Middle Eastern convert than many other similar authors, and I found this interesting and useful. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to do ministry in the Middle East or with Middle Eastern people. It also has discussion questions at the end so it can be used as part of a study.

[Joan Arning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting story of the changes in one Muslim's life when he converted to Christianity. I appreciated learning some of the traditions of Abu Attallah's life growing up and the changes he has made since accepting Christ. It is sad that he cannot return to his old neighborhood or he would be killed even years later. Hopefully, I have a better understanding of Muslim's lives and beliefs. Some parts were difficult for me to understand but most was interesting.

[Blake Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part biography and part an explanation of the beliefs and practices of Islam. There are many helpful suggestions and explanations in the book. The author gives a good over-view of the situation in Egypt where he grew up and later had to leave the country after becoming a Christian.

[Hsiao-Wei Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I highly recommend. The author’s faith is solid and his knowledge is profound. I really enjoyed this book and inspired by it. Great living stories and testimonies. Thank you author for sharing his autobiography and insights.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagreed (I believe for good reason) on several claims he made. However, I loved learning more about Muslim and Arabic culture from a Muslim-background believer's perspective. And I rejoice in His salvation in Christ and that he has lead others to Christ.

[Mh Weyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting. Less an autobiography and more a history and culture lesson. And definitely skewed by the authors own bias as a former Muslim.
Good to hear God at work among the Muslims.

[Frank Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courageous story of conversion

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book read more like a recitation than a memoir, and I learned so much. Grace Kamp, I highly recommend it to you!

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly historical information on Muslims. A fairly good read but you could easily get bogged down in all the history lessons.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book accomplishes its tasks well. It is part testimony/memoir of the author's spiritual journey, with the pivotal point being his conversion from Islam to Christ. Woven into this are his insights that westerners like myself will find eye opening. A few examples are the differences in sects within Islam, growing up in Egypt compared to life in America, and his strategy for sharing his faith (i.e. focusing of God's love in Christ). Written in a style that is easy to read, I found it enlightening and enjoyable.