I have been in media for 25 plus years. I have done my fair share of interviews, usually, local politicians, music artists, celebrities, etc. So when I found myself sitting next to a man who murdered Israeli soldiers as a sniper for Yasser Arafat I wasn't sure exactly what to think.
A few weeks ago I received an invitation to interview Taysir Abu Saada, a former PLO sniper for Yasser Arafat, for "A Courageous Heart". Mr. Abu Saada was going to be in the area speaking and promoting his book, "Once An Arafat Man", as well as, promoting an upcoming tour he will be hosting through "Adventures in Travel" to the Holy Land. Of course, I wanted the interview! I viewed this as an opportunity to possibly gain some insight into the Middle Eastern culture, as well as, educating myself and my viewers on the practice of Islam and why there is such a hatred towards the Jews and Israel from the Palestinians.
In preparation for the interview, I read Mr. Abu Saada's book and I will admit, once I started reading I could not put it down. I was not only receiving an education from someone who obviously was in the middle of the conflict and culture, but I was intrigue by the author and "his story". As the day for the interview approached, I found myself constantly thinking about all of the questions I had and I was anxious to get more answers.
It was a Friday afternoon when I, along with my program's Creative Consultant and Videographer, arrived at Memorial Baptist Church in downtown Columbia, Mo. After we made our way into the room where Mr. Abu Saada was going to speak, and finding our seats, I looked around the room and noticed it was full. It appeared alot of people were interested in hearing what this man had to say about his past and they were there to learn more as well.
Mr. Abu Saada, or as he prefers to be called, Tass, took the podium and began his talk. From the moment he began talking you could have heard a pin drop in this very large room filled with American Christians. The man speaking could have been your neighbor, your father, your grandfather, as a matter of fact, he is a father and grandfather. A large man in stature, Tass, commands a presence, when he speaks you listen to every word he says, and at times I found it difficult to listen because my mind was already formulating opinions and judgements and that was NOT what I wanted to do. I wanted to be open and willing to hear everything this "former assassin" had to say. I even struggled with the words, "former asssassin", they struck a fear and a disgust in my heart, especialy when you think about what an "assassin" does. An assassin hunts their prey, in Tass' case, Jewish high ranking Israeli soldiers. Once he finds his target he then stalks him, much like a hunter stalking his game, patiently waiting for just the right time for the kill. When the time arrives the assassin then aims and points the scope of his gun at the target, looking directly into the face of the man he is about to kill. When the weapon is aimed right between the eyes of the target, he pulls the trigger.
Before I knew it Tass was finished speaking. He met with those in attendance and signed his book for them. His wife, an American woman, Karen, is at his side, assisting her husband with books sales and whatever he needs.
Once everyone had left we proceeded to the location where I would conduct the interview. We would all enjoy dinner together and then I would have about one hour to sit down with Tass and ask questions.
When we arrived at dinner, I was properly introduced to Tass and shook his hand. In my mind I remember thinking, he seems like a very pleasant middle-age man, he even has a sense of humor. But I was also thinking, I just shook the hand of a murderer. Sobering. We chatted for a while about topics that were superficial and got comfortable with one another. Then it was time to gather around the table for dinner. As we all sat down Tass was sitting to my left, my videographer to my right. Tass reached for my hand, as we all held hands, and prayed a blessing over one another and the meal. Throughout dinner Tass answered our questions and talked openly about his days in the PLO and his life in the Middle East as a refugee and an immigrant. He shared many of the stories I had read about just a few days before in his book. I will admit, not a normal everyday dinner.
After dessert we made our way into a comfortable, cozy room, by a roaring fire, Tass and I were given our mics and the camera was put into place. The interview was about to begin. The first question I asked was, "Tass, where does one learn to hate as mucha s you hated the Jews?" He told me it was not his parents. He never once heard them say anything negative about the Jews. He said he learned it in school and through Yasser Arafat and the media. He said, in the middle east a man without land is a man without honor, and in his mind the Jews had stolen the Palestinians land. As soon as he was old enough, seventeen to be exact, he ran away from home and joined the PLO to fight for his people's cause. Tass was very good with weapons and he advanced quickly through the ranks until finally he became known as "The Butcher" and an assassin.
Through the interview Tass took me on a journey of how he was born to hate and how it was his goal to get his people's land back from the Jews. He shared with me about his Muslim upbringing and what he thought about Islam. Eventually, Tass, found his way to the United States in order to continue his education and it was here, in this country that Tass found acceptance. No longer was he labeled a "refugee" or an "immigrant". He tells how the American people treated him with respect and he quickly found that the lies he was taught about America were untrue. One of the Americans that treated Tass with respect was a man named, Charlie. Charlie was a regular at the restaurant where Tass worked, initially as a bus boy. Over the period of 19 years, Tass and Charlie became good friends. One day, when Tass was telling Charlie how he was having difficult sleeping and struggling, Charlie, shared with him a story of love, forgiveness and reconciliation. Charlie told Tass that he could have all of that, but he would have to forgive the Jews, even love them, and then he shared the story of one Jewish man with Tass, the story of Jesus. In that moment, Tass lost consciousness, and when he came to he was on his knees, hands raised, and he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Of course, there is much more to the story, but you will have to tune into "A Courageous Heart" to hear more! After the interview, I once again shook Tass' hand, only this time I didn't think about the fact that this man was an assassin. This time I thought of Tass as my Christian brother in Christ. He was the epitome of a modern day Saul turned Paul on the road to Damascus.
All of us are "former somethings". All of us have sinned. All of us are in need of a Savior. Today Tass and his wife operate Seeds of Hope Ministries. They run schools in Jericho that teach children about Jesus, they teach the Word of God to these children, they teach love and not hate. Isn't it amazing what God can do in transforming a life that is willing to be transformed?
I strongly recommend Tass' book, "Once An Arafat Man". I promise, you will find it to be one of the most interesting stories you have ever read, but more importantly you will be reminded of what the grace of God can accomplish when our hearts are open to His love!
http://www.seedsofhope.org/
http://www.christianbook.com/arafat-true-story-sniper-found-life/tass-saada/9781414323619/pd/323619
