Mind of Terror: A Former Muslim Sniper Explores What Motivates ISIS and Other Extremist Groups (and how best to respond)

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (July 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496411870
• ISBN-13: 978-1496411877

What motivates Islamic terrorists? What is in the mind of terror? Our news reports from the Middle East cover events―bombings, massacres, and suicide attacks. Our newscasters take time to explain who the players are―from Hezbollah to the Iranian Quds, from ISIS to the Palestinian National Authority. But there is something underneath these events and players that fuels atrocity after atrocity in the Middle East. What is it? Tass Saada provides the answer to that question as he delves into the mind of terror, explaining what motivates extremist groups throughout the Middle East. A former Muslim and a onetime sniper with Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organization, Tass has lived it himself. At age 42, he steered his life in a radical new direction, committing it to Jesus. Tass not only describes the motivations and aspirations of those who live in the Middle East, he also outlines a peaceful solution. We can plant seeds of hope that will transform not only the Middle East, but also our increasingly diverse neighborhoods at home. Discover the mind behind terror and how to oppose its grip.

 

My Impressions

This is an mazing book that gives us a glimpse of the mind of those involved in radical Islam terror groups. Weather you watch the news or not, we are initiated with glimpses of terror on the radio, in the newspapers, via social media and yet, we have only ever received half the message...here is the other half! You cannot fight a war, or win a heart over to Jesus if you do not know what you are fighting against and what they stand for. The book is broken down into 3 main sections:  why these groups turn to violence as a solution (honor and shame) , what are some of the solutions and reactions to terrorism that outside groups think of and finally real strategies that we can use to help us overcome and help end of some of the conflict. Ultimately we need to be fervently praying and showing the loving kindness and mercy of Christ daily to these groups. When Christians spew out venom the only thing that is created is more hatred, more violence and more intolerance. We need to truly be the hand and feet of Christ and it starts with each one of us.

 

This is an excellent resource to use to become more knowledgeable about the issues, the causes and how you can be part of a solution instead of the problem.

 

Disclaimer: Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

 

About the Author:

Tass Saada is a former Muslim and the founder of Hope for Ishmael, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reconcile Arabs and Jews. Born in 1951 in the Gaza Strip, Saada grew up in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He worked under Yasser Arafat as a Fatah fighter and sniper. Years after immigrating to America, he became a Christian. He and his wife, Karen, now spend much of each year in the Middle East guiding a ministry to children.

Dean Merrill: 

Dean Merrill has been published in over 40 Christian magazines and is the author or coauthor of 35 books. Among his most recent Tyndale titles are: ·In the Presence of My Enemies and To Fly Again, both with Philippine missionary survivor Gracia Burnham. The first of these made the New York Times Best Sellers List and won a Gold Medallion Award; both were positively reviewed by the industry standard Publishers Weekly. ·Every Man's Bible, an action-oriented edition of the New Living Translation, developed in cooperation with Steve Arterburn and a number of other contributors. Merrill was the general editor. In years past, his Tyndale works have included Together at Home (1996); Wait Quietly: Devotions for a Busy Parent (1994); and notes for the ground-breaking illustrated teen edition of The Living Bible, titled The Way (1971). He is a former president of the Evangelical Press Association and a current board member of Global Publishers Alliance, the international arm of ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association). His past editorial positions have been at Campus Life magazine, David C. Cook, Leadership Journal (CTi), Christian Herald, and Focus on the Family. He was vice president of international publishing at the International Bible Society from 1997 to 2004. Dean Merrill's education includes a bachelor of theology degree from Chicago Bible College and a master of arts degree in journalism from Syracuse University. He now writes full-time from his home in Colorado Springs, where he and his wife, Grace, live. They have three married children and nine grandchildren.