1. “What if we compromise with Islam?”
- By Daniel and Mary Shayesteh

There are three sources of information that we can use to answer the above question:

1. Muslims, 2. The Qur’an, the holy book for Muslims, and 3. The West.

Almost all Muslims (some under the weight of cultural pressures) will respond that Islam is spiritually, socially, morally, politically, economically (in all dimensions of life) superior to and ahead of all other religions and beliefs.  In asserting this view they will introduce you to a picture of Islam that is completely strange to the pages of the Qur’an. 

Let us see what picture of Islam is given in the Qur’an:

Spiritually:  Sin is inspired in man by Allah (Q.91:7-8), in other words, man has been corrupted by Allah’s own hands, and therefore no one, even Muhammad himself, has the assurance of salvation (Q.46:9). We all know that spiritual corruption or uncertainty is the root of all other corruptions and uncertainties in life.  For this reason, uncertainty is huge in the Islamic world and has penetrated every dimension of life.

Socially:  Muslims are better than others (Q.3:110), and among Muslims men are superior to women (Q.4:34).  Wives are asked to abide at home and not to go in public (Q.33:33).  In the April 9, 2002 issue, The Wall Street Journal published about the concept of blood money in Saudi Arabia, the heartland of Islam, referring to the inferiority of women and people from religious groups other than Islam. If a person has been killed or caused to die by another, the latter has to pay blood money or compensation, as follows;

–        100,000 riyals if the victim is a Muslim man

–        50,000 riyals if a Muslim woman

–        50,000 riyals if a Christian man

–        25,000 riyals if a Christian woman

–        6,666 riyals if a Hindu man

–        3,333 riyals if a Hindu woman 

Politically:  Muslims are called not only to avoid friendship with Christians and Jews and others (Q.5:51), but also to avoid friendship with their own fathers and brothers who do not follow Islam (Q.9:23). Other religions and believers are fully unacceptable (Q.3:85).  And Jihad is ordained for Muslims against the followers of other religions and beliefs (Q.2:216).  Allah loves those who do battle for his cause (Q.61:4).  The imposition of the Islamic Law (Shari’a Law) is the global vision of the Qur’an.

Morally:  The Qur’an states that Allah has inspired sin (immorality) in humankind (Q.91:8).  There are shocking and shameful statements about both Muslim and non-Muslim women in the Qur’an (i.e. Q.33 and 24:31,33).  Such statements become even uglier in the Islamic traditions where they are even applied to infant girls.  In addition, Islam teaches lying, deceiving, etc. as legitimate tools for the sake and progress of religion.

Economically:  The Qur’an says, “It is not for a believer, man and woman, to have any choice in their affairs, when Allah and his apostle have decreed a matter…(Q.33:36).  That is why there is not a definition for work in Islam.  Everything you earn belongs to Muhammad (and his representatives) and Allah. If even Muslims do not have any choice, including economic choices, what about non-Muslims?

Why, then, do some westerners want to compromise with Islam, if this is the case with Islam?  What kind of future will our children have if Islam is rewarded and praised in our societies?  Has any Islamic country done so well with Islam that we want to compromise with Islam in order to share in the same benefits? 

What about us? Do we feel responsible for the well being of our family and community with a desire to have a better quality of relationship with others?  Do we have any standards in our hearts that make us want to stand whole-heartedly for the best values in life? Do we believe our lives should reflect that there is a difference between good and evil?

Muslims and the Qur’an have responded to the opening question. They will not compromise with the West, but they are delighted if the West chooses to compromise with Islam. The West however is not certain about how to answer the question. They are yet to make up their mind. 

Sadly, many in the West have forgotten about our Lord Jesus Christ and the spiritual disciplines upon which our freedom is based. Often Christians have been more darkness than light and have not reflected the glory of Christ to those who are in darkness. 

“….. when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” By his grace alone, he will! Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord!

Daniel and Mary Shayesteh

2. Report on Daniel’s recent visits to Perth,Wagga Wagga and Melbourne

“I received another precious invitation from YWAM Perth to spend a week teaching young people during July 24 - 29. These young people from different countries were preparing for mission assignments to the Islamic world. I so admire the courage of these young people and their heart for learning. Spending time preparing young people for mission lies at the heart of our ministry ‘Exodus from Darkness’.”

“I spoke to them about the importance of seeing the big picture so that they can understand Christ in the context of all the nations, including the nations that they have come from. I presented Christ’s ‘big mind’ to them as being the best resource for them as they prepare themselves for mission to a particular nation. I urged them to see themselves as brothers and sisters walking together and reaching out together to the whole world.”

“I had a very encouraging visit to the city of Wagga Wagga on August 12 – 14. It was beautiful to see a broad spectrum of churches come together for the sake of mission. On the Saturday morning I spoke at a breakfast attended by around 100 people – this is twice the number of men and women who normally attend this breakfast! I spoke to them about the calibre of leadership that God wants from his followers. Later in the day I spoke at a City Wide Public meeting where I played my Tar and shared my testimony. On the Sunday I preached in a church in the morning and shared my testimony at another church in the evening. I found that people were very interested to learn more about Islam, so they could deal wisely with Islam’s contemporary impact on the world. Many reflected to me that our ministry is an answer to the present difficulties they feel as they think and talk about Islam. They were very affirming of our ministry.”

Daniel returned again to Perth for August 17 – 29. He took part in two ‘Missions Week’ conferences, one with Southern Districts Alliance Church and the other with Pinjarra Alliance Church. There were meetings with individuals, in homes, visits to primary and secondary schools, speaking at a Rotary club, craft groups, men’s and women’s meetings, young people’s events, speaking at church services and public meetings.

Daniel shared “I was so encouraged that the churches are in relationship with non-Christians and arranged meetings for me to speak to them.  I spoke in places where some were either fearful of what I would say or weren’t that keen for me to speak! People of other faiths including Islam or of no particular faith were present, but in every situation my message about the values of Jesus was received enthusiastically. Even people who weren’t Christians came up and talked to me after I spoke, appreciating the opportunity to see the Lord Jesus Christ from a completely different perspective. Many of them were moved by my testimony to Jesus.

“I pray for those who responded to Jesus and for those where the seeds of the Gospel were planted. May the Gospel bear fruit in the lives of these people. A highlight for me was all the time I spent with young people in public schools and at youth groups. I had the opportunity to talk very practically with them about being ‘salt and light’ for Jesus. I also talked about the culture of education in Australia and how the values of Christ need to be considered afresh in our intellectual institutions. I encouraged young people that this is a mission that Christ has called them to.” 

Daniel also had five days of ministry (September 7-11) in Melbourne with home groups, youth, a men's breakfast and two churches, including a Vietnamese Alliance Church, all arranged through my host church Western Community Alliance Church.  The goal of the visit was to encourage Christians to learn the influential tools of evangelism and to reach out to Australians and nations for Christ. 

3. Next Intercessory Prayer Meeting for the ministry of Daniel and Mary
Our next intercessory prayer meeting will be held at the Shayesteh's home, 1 Glenrowan Avenue, Kellyville (corner of Wrights Rd and Glenrowan Ave) at 7.45 pm on Thursday 22nd September. We'd love you to come and pray and worship with us. We know it is not practicable for many of you to attend this meeting, especially for those of you who are not in Sydney, but we invite you to set aside some time to pray for Daniel and Mary and EFD. Please let Daniel know if you are able to come by phoning 02 8824 5517 or 0402 464 412. Some of our regular prayer partners will be away at this time, so your attendance would be a great encouragement.

4. Daniel's upcoming ministry events
Daniel has many opportunities in the following months and 2006 to be 'salt and light' around Australia and overseas. Please remember him and the Shayesteh family in prayer as Daniel responds to these opportunities to testify to Jesus. 

Sept 16 - 19: Visit to Tamworth in response to invitation from Tamworth MissionsNet
Sept 21: Avondale College, Central Coast
Sept 28 - Oct 5: Visit to Central/Northern Queensland
Oct 8,9: Attending Gospel Conversations Retreat, Port Hacking, NSW
Oct 16: Arabic Baptist Church Wentworthville, NSW
Oct 17: St Paul's Anglican Church Castle Hill, NSW
Oct 21, 22: Cowra Baptist Men's Dinner and other events, NSW
Oct 26: Primetime meeting at Christ Church St. Ives in Sydney
Oct 28-30: Visit to Hunter Valley Churches, NSW
Nov 13: Daniel speaking at a Conference in Newcastle, NSW
Nov 20: St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Belrose, Sydney, NSW
Nov 27: Lawson Baptist Church, Blue Mountains NSW
Nov 29: Speaking at Silverwater Goal, NSW
Dec 4: Nowra Church of Christ, NSW
Dec 11 & 18: Teaching on Islam at Sydney Chinese Alliance Church, Rockdale, NSW
Feb to March 2006: Visit to North America
April 8 – 20 2006: Daniel and Mary invited to minister in Europe to Muslim background believers and their friends
August 2006: Participating as a speaker in 'Mosques and Miracles' Conferences to be held around South Africa

5. Update and an invitation – Participating financially in the ministry of Daniel and Mary Shayesteh
As we reported last month, our goal, dream and prayer is for Mary to be able to accompany Daniel on some of his upcoming ministry trips. We praise God our Father for our brothers and sisters who have responded to this call for help. Daniel and Mary’s current situation concerning their debt to the Christian School is that the school debt has come down from $23000 to $10000 through the contribution of our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  One of the generous figures we received from a sister in Christ was an interest free loan of $10000.  We thank God for His care for us through His children’s generosities. 

We invite you to give generously to the ministry of Exodus from Darkness so that Daniel and Mary's transformational message about Christ can continue to bear fruit around Australia and overseas. Full details for contributing to their ministry are at the end of this email.

6. Other Exodus from Darkness Prayer Requests
We speak in Jesus' Name to many hearts across the world, that they will be challenged in this era of globalisation to search for the Truth with all their heart.

Praise God for Daniel's ministry opportunities during the last two months.  This has included teaching young people at YWAM Perth and speaking and ministering to many people in Perth, Wagga Wagga and Melbourne.

Please pray for the upcoming events where Daniel will speak across Australia and overseas. Pray that people will respond to Jesus as Daniel shares his testimony to Jesus and calls people to ‘Search for Truth Together’.

Please pray for the provision of all Daniel and Mary's financial needs. They have sacrificed much to ensure Daniel could lecture and share his testimony across Australia and overseas. A donation to help them would be a blessing for them.

We are praying for a small group of people who can come together to back Daniel and Mary's ministry spiritually and intellectually as we consider the most effective ways for their ministry to grow in the years ahead. Please pray that the Shayesteh's ministry will be guided along the path of greatest fruitfulness for the kingdom of God.

Please pray for wisdom for the EFD committee as we seek and consider the opportunities for Daniel to minister in the USA and overseas during February to March 2006.

Please pray for Daniel as he works with Christian refugees from the Middle East seeking to come to Australia. It is proving extremely difficult to bring Christian refugees to Australia even though we are a country with a Christian heritage. Please pray for Daniel as he talks about these difficulties with Australian politicians.

6. Daniel's books
Many people have been blessed through the special insights into Islam and other religions that are provided by Daniel's books. Always accompanying these insights is Daniel's testimony to the uniqueness of Christ our Lord in every dimension of life. 

Please make use of Daniel's books listed below and share them with your churches, bible colleges and friends.

'The Difference is the Son' compares the Qur'an and the Bible against the backdrop of Islam's early history and Islam's contemporary message. Daniel concludes that the difference between these two books in all dimensions of life is the 'Son' - our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the only source of eternal confidence. 

"A Journey from 'gods' to Christ" looks at the nature of 'god', sin and salvation in all the world's major religions, while at the same time challenging the conscience (God given!) of every human being to search for the Truth. 

'The Difference is the Son' - suggested donation $20 + $5 for postage
"A Journey from 'gods' to Christ" - suggested donation $15 + $5 for postage. For contact details for ordering these books, please see the end of this email.

I close with the words of Jesus.

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37,38 (CEV)

Exodus from Darkness (ABN: 51 091 519 696) is endorsed by the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Australia
Facilitator for EFD Inc.
Michael York PhD
Phone: 02 9896 5951
Mobile: 040 88 66 164
Email: michaeljyork@aol.com