"Jesus, if You really are God, save me!"
These were the desperate words Hakim cried out from his Taliban prison cell in Afghanistan. For three weeks, every Friday had brought another execution—one prisoner beheaded at a time. And now, it was his turn.
But how did a devout Muslim end up calling on Jesus?
The story goes back to the day the Taliban murdered Hakim’s father and brothers for opposing their rule. As a grieving teenager, he fled to Iran with his widowed mother, struggling to survive. It was there that he met an Armenian Christian who gave him a job. The man’s kindness stood out, and one day, he shared the gospel with Hakim, even giving him a small Bible. But Hakim wasn’t interested—he threw the Bible in the trash.
Still, the question lingered in his mind: What if that Bible told the truth?
Years later, Hakim’s open criticism of a Muslim leader’s manipulation of religion led to betrayal. He was deported back to Afghanistan, where he fell into the hands of the Taliban. For a year, he endured relentless torture, leaving him permanently disabled. The suffering was so intense that he often begged God for death. Every Friday, he witnessed fellow prisoners executed, knowing his own time would come.
Then, it did.
As he awaited his execution, something stirred in his memory—the words of the Armenian Christian who had shared Jesus with him. With nothing left to lose, he cried out, "Jesus, if You really are God, save me!"
At that moment, something incredible happened. Hakim lost consciousness and was inexplicably spared.
Two days later, while being transferred to another prison, his vehicle came under attack. Amid the chaos, he found himself miraculously alive—standing beside a burning, bullet-ridden transport. That day, with no Christian contacts except the Armenian man whose Bible he had discarded, Hakim made the decision to give his life to Christ.
Recovery from his injuries took a full year, but in those months of healing, he devoured Scripture through a digital Bible on his phone, reading in stolen moments of privacy.
When his family eventually helped him escape to Turkey, Hakim couldn’t keep his newfound faith to himself. Despite the risks, he began sharing Christ with other Afghan refugees. The cost was high—public beatings, death threats—but his faith held firm. No amount of suffering could turn him away from his savior.
A New Battle: Life as a Persecuted Refugee
Today, Hakim’s struggles continue. His injuries from Taliban torture left him with a severe limp, limiting his ability to work. His wife carries deep emotional and physical scars. As a refugee, he faces barriers to employment and constant persecution, making it nearly impossible to provide for his children.
But hope is not lost.
Through underground church networks, Hakim was connected with Field Minister Qasem, who encouraged him in his faith. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, Hakim and his family are receiving critical food aid, medical care, and pastoral support. In time, he will be able to rebuild his life with dignity and independence!
Standing with the Persecuted
Hakim’s story is just one of many. Across the Islamic world, men and women are following Christ despite overwhelming costs. Every prayer, every gift, and every act of support plays a part in weaving a thread of hope into their lives.
God is still at work in miraculous ways—just as He was when Hakim cried out from his prison cell.