From Cairo to Christ - by Abu Atallah & Kent A Van Til (Paperback)

About the Book

"Changing from Islam to Christianity would mess up my life forever." So writes Abu Atallah in this remarkable story of his journey from Islam to the Christian faith, and how he later became an ambassador for Christ with a ministry in the Muslim context. Discover how the good news of Jesus transforms lives in Muslim communities around the world.

Book Synopsis

"If I were to become a Christian, it would mean not only changing my religion but changing my whole identity and bringing shame upon my family. My whole family is Muslim, and my society and culture were Muslim. . . . Changing from Islam to Christianity would mess up my life forever."So writes Abu Atallah, who grew up in Cairo as an ordinary Egyptian Muslim. He was deeply embedded in his family, religion, and country. For a time he was part of the Muslim Brotherhood. But as he came of age, he began to encounter people who followed a different way, who called themselves Christians. And a radically new life became possible--at great cost and risk, yet with great joy.From Cairo to Christ is the remarkable story of how one Muslim man was drawn to the Christian faith, and how he later became an ambassador for Christ with a ministry in the Muslim world. Atallah has personally helped hundreds of Muslims come to Christ. This narrative sheds light on Islamic cultural dynamics and what Westerners should know about Muslim contexts. Despite the challenges facing believers from Muslim backgrounds, God is bringing surprising numbers of Muslims to Christ. Discover how the good news of Jesus transforms lives in Muslim communities around the world.

Review Quotes

"From Cairo to Christ explores the difficulties Muslim converts face as they convert to Christ. Author Abu Atallah is an Egyptian who writes as an insider who became a believer decades ago. Those unacquainted with Islamic beliefs and practices will appreciate this easy-to-read primer."

--Phil Parshall, SIM USA, author of The Cross and the Crescent

"From Cairo to Christ inspires, informs and compels readers for the great privilege of relating Jesus to Muslims--in loving, living proclamation--wherever they are."

--Influence Magazine

"From Cairo to Christ is both a compelling first-person narrative of one Egyptian Muslim's journey to Christ and into fruitful Christian ministry among Muslims globally and also a helpful analysis of Islam and Muslims in our twenty-first-century world. Abu Atallah doesn't downplay profoundly disturbing aspects of Islam, nor does he hesitate in critiquing some embarrassing negative Christian attitudes toward Muslims. Atallah's often painful journey helpfully illuminates typical experiences for believers out of Islam as they seek to live their lives in faithfulness to their new Lord in Muslim communities, both in the Muslim world and here in the West. This short book provides invaluable perspective into the experience of those who follow Christ out of Islam as well as penetrating insights into the beliefs and experiences of Muslims in the Arab world and America today. I warmly commend it to those who desire to better understand and befriend both their Muslim neighbor and their Christian friend who was once a Muslim."

--Don Little, missiologist, Pioneers, director, The Lilias Trotter Center, author of Effective Discipling in Muslim Communities

"From Cairo to Christ takes the reader through an insightful, informative, and provocative journey exploring the on-the-ground realities of the Muslim faith from the perspective of a Muslim convert to Christianity. The challenges encountered and dealt with by Abu Atallah provide fresh insights into understanding how Christians can better relate to Muslims today, in our context of religious pluralism. This book also serves as a mirror for Western Christians to more carefully critique their own understanding and practices of Christianity."

--Craig Van Gelder, emeritus professor of congregational mission, Luther Seminary

"From Cairo to Christ is at once a primer on Arabic culture, a comparison between Christianity and Islam, and a history lesson in the making. He provides a bridge for greater understanding between cultures as he points others to the Prince of Peace. Atallah serves as a most credible teacher, having walked a mile in both sets of shoes."

--Von Mitchell, Christian Market, July 2017

About the Author

Kent Van Til is lecturer in religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He is the author of Less Than Two Dollars a Day and The Moral Disciple (Eerdmans).

Abu Atallah is the founder and CEO of European Training Centre and a pastor, professor, and missionary with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He was born and raised in Egypt, and after his conversion was involved with Campus Crusade at Cairo University. In 1979 he came to the United States, where he attended the Urbana missions conference and heard God's call to minister to his people. He founded the Arab American Friendship Center in Dearborn, Michigan, and was a consultant and trainer for Arab World Ministries in London and across Europe. He has ministered in fifty-six countries on six continents. He has a master of divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary.