Matthew's house burned by mob

In the heart of Iraq, "Matthew" and his wife, "Hannah," devout Muslims, lived their lives in accordance with their faith. Their days were filled with prayers, obligations, and the rhythms of their Islamic community. However, amidst their dedication, Matthew’s heart grew heavy seeing the injustices and violence that seemed to spread in the name of Islam.


One night, a vivid dream brought Matthew face-to-face with Jesus, who was enveloped in a radiant light. In this dream, Jesus gestured toward a majestic church on His right and a mosque on His left. The mosque was filled with sorrowful, tearful individuals. Matthew chose to enter the church in his dream. There he was greeted by kind, joyful people, praising God, and experiencing healing.


Seeking understanding, Matthew visited his Sheik and recounted the dream. The Sheik, worried about the implications, advised him to learn from the Christians' positive aspects but to refrain from converting. Nonetheless, word of Matthew’s inquiries reached his extended family, leading to uncertainty and apprehension.


Upon learning of Matthew’s exploration of Christianity, his uncle, the family’s leader, confronted him. Matthew denied any intentions of conversion, clarifying that he was simply seeking knowledge about Jesus. Despite his explanations, suspicion lingered.


Matthew became aware of a wise televangelist, Rasheed, through television broadcasts. Intrigued, Matthew contacted him, seeking guidance. Rasheed recognized Matthew’s yearning and suggested that he travel to Turkiye where he could delve into Christian teachings and engage with Christian communities.


Matthew’s uncle, however, remained vigilant. He proposed a condition: Matthew could leave for Turkiye, but his wife Hannah, a devout Muslim, must accompany him. She would serve as a witness to his actions and beliefs. Their eight-year old son, "Ali", would remain under the family’s care, and should Matthew convert, he would lose his child forever.


As Matthew and Hannah embarked on what was supposed to be a month-long journey, they encountered a transformative experience that lasted six months. Immersed in discussions with Christians and former Muslims, they both eventually embraced Christianity. Hannah, despite her initial devotion to Islam, found herself moved by the teachings of

Jesus.


Meanwhile, back in Iraq, Matthew’s family took drastic measures to ensure Ali’s allegiance to Islam. When Ali displayed reluctance to practice the Muslim faith, they resorted to harsh methods of coercion and punishment. They burned him with cigarettes and with a spoon heated over the stove. Only "Ahmed," Matthew’s brother, found these actions unacceptable, leading to more friction within the family.


Upon their return, Matthew and Hannah were met with skepticism from their extended family, who demanded they attend prayers at the mosque. Observing them closely, the family became convinced of their loyalty to Islam. However, the family’s focus on the exterior obscured the profound transformations occurring within their hearts.


Ahmed, in particular, found inspiration from Matthew and Hannah’s newfound faith. He began to explore Christianity and soon embraced it wholeheartedly.

Recognizing the danger they faced from their own community, the family made the difficult decision to flee to Egypt where they could practice their faith freely. In Egypt, they encountered cultural challenges and financial uncertainties, yet their faith remained unshaken.


Matthew and Hannah’s journey reached a new level when they shared their stories on social media. Their extended family’s response was harsh, filled with curses and threats. Pastor Jack, a supportive figure in their new community, advised them to stay cautious due to the risks that Muslim converts to Christianity often face.


Despite the obstacles, the family’s enthusiasm for their newfound faith remained strong. Their decision to get cross tattoos on their wrists displayed their commitment, even as it drew attention from others. Hannah found a job, but her real Muslim name and her cross symbol led to questions that eventually made her work environment unsafe.


She quit and was too afraid to go back to get her salary. This wonderful family has very little in earthly goods, but they have peace and joy that only comes from their faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray for their continued growth in their faith and for provision and safety for them in their new country.

UPDATE:

Recently, their safety was shattered again. Their eight-year-old daughter, "Marium," had befriended a neighbor girl from a Muslim family. As their friendship deepened, the two began to talk about faith. When the neighbor's mother discovered that Marium’s family had converted to Christianity, she told her husband—who then incited a mob to kill them.

After Muslim Friday prayers, the mob gathered, stormed the family’s apartment, kicked in the door, and set the home on fire. The family took refuge in the bathroom, smoke and flames closing in around them. With no time to spare, Matthew jumped from the second-floor window and helped each family member escape. Though he broke his ankle in the process, miraculously, they all survived.


No one saw them flee. They lost everything, including their beloved dog, but managed to find refuge far away, now staying with Moses-Ken and his family until a new, secure place can be found.


Can you imagine neighbors trying to kill a family simply because they became Christians? Sadly, this is the reality for many former Muslims who follow Jesus. If they’re not arrested, tortured, or killed by their government, they often face persecution from neighbors or even their own families.


Please pray for them, for a safe place they can call their own, for wisdom as to when and where to share about Jesus, and for healing from this trauma.  The children were suffering with nightmares until the parents prayed with them.


*Not their real names

**This story is told in our 2025 International Day of Prayer video**