From Ashes to Glory: The True Story of a Former Muslim from Iran

Copyright © 2018 Ramin Parsa.

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-9473-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-9474-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017911706

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/23/2018

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

1. I Was Born A Muslim

2. My Life In Iran

My Family

Norwoz

3. Islamic Rites And Rituals

Doubt And Dilemma

A Turning Point

4. My Resurrection

5. An Urgent Escape

6. My New Country The United States Of America

7. The Glory Of Ancient Persia

8. Islam

Muhammad And The Birth Of Islam

Allah

Surahs: Mecca Vs. Medina

Muhammad’s Deeds

Inbreeding

9. The Spread Of Islam

10. Christianity’s Defense: The Crusades

11. The Mission Of Islam

12. Islam’s Plan For The World

Mass Migration

Islam’s Ally: Liberalism

Christian Persecution

13. Islamic Sharia Law

Subjugation Of Women

Taghiyeh

14. Islamic Jihad (Holy War)

15. Mosaic Law Vs. Islamic Law

16. False Prophets

17. The Christian Faith

Religion

The Old Covenant

The New Covenant

Born Again

Baptism

18. The Effect Of Christianity On The World

19. How To Share The Gospel With Muslims

20. From Ashes To Glory

God’s Plan For Iran

21. Christ’s Hope

About The Author

ENDORSEMENTS

Mr. Ramin Parsa has written an important book on how the ancient glory of Persia turned into ashes after Islam took hold of this great nation. Parsa’s first-hand experience from living under Islam in Iran to embracing Christianity was a courageous and long journey that should help inspire us all.

Nonie Darwish

Author of "Wholly Different; Why I Chose

Biblical Values Over Islamic Values."

I have had the privilege of knowing Ramin Parsa for several years. He was a tremendous blessing when he ministered to the church I pastor, and the congregation looks forward to his return. Ramin and I have had many lengthy conversations and I can say with all my sincerity that he is one of the most genuine individuals I know. In a day when political correctness is the norm, it is refreshing to see a young man who prioritises the truth that humanity so desperately needs, above the cultural pressure to conform to the vacillating standards of the day. I can assure you that the book you are holding will bless you with the uncompromising truths that embody the testimony of Ramin Parsa. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32. This book, and its author, come with my highest recommendation. Be blessed as you read.

Pastor Chris Barhorst

True Life Church

Greenville, Ohio

Ramin Parsa has known, first-hand, the gross darkness of Islam from the inside out. He has also known, personally, the brilliant, saving light of Christ. His life was gloriously transformed by encountering the risen Lord Jesus Christ. God has raised up Ramin Parsa with a timely message that must be heard. This is a must-read book!

Joe Sweet, pastor

Shekinah Worship Center

Lancaster, California

We have known Ramin Parsa for several years and have done much ministry with him, both locally and during a trip to foreign nations in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. He is always conscious of the people who don’t know Jesus, and is eager to lead them into a new life in the Kingdom of God. He is very well versed in the Bible and has an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. He has not lost his fire in an America that takes God for granted.

This book is the clearest presentation that I have ever read of the history, goal, and practices of the Islamic religion. It is a clear warning to America to beware of the insidious Islamic scheme to take over the nation by stealth, by using our own institutions of freedom against us. It is of the utmost importance to regulate and limit immigration from Muslim countries in addition to passing a law denying the implementation of Sharia law within these United States of America.

Ramin Parsa has sounded the warning trumpet, and has laid bare the plans of this enemy, which is masquerading as a religion. We must take this warning seriously and take action if we are to preserve our republic, our Christian faith, and the Constitution of our country.

Jack and Grace Tuls, missionary pastors

Remote Area Ministries

Lancaster, California

F rom Ashes To Glory , is the story of an amazing young man, and a dear friend Ramin Parsa, who was born and raised a devout Muslim in Iran.

Mr. Parsa has a depth in knowledge of the Bible and a love for Jesus Christ that is beyond his age and I consider him like a son of mine ever since the day we met several years ago. Having been a former Muslim myself, like Ramin I understand his brave sacrifice when he openly declared his Christian faith before the world especially before the people and government of Iran.

Ramin converted from Islam to Christianity not after he moved to the US as I have done, but he believed in Christ when he was living in Iran, which is in itself was a miracle. I know that because I was able to believe in Christ after I moved to the US. When I lived in the Muslim world like Ramin I never knew Christ and could never dare touch a Bible, let alone convert to Christianity there. Doing that from over there would be a guaranteed death sentence.

Not only did Ramin convert to Christianity but he had the courage to start a TV show teaching Biblical values to the people of Iran. In fact when we first met Ramin invited me to be interviewed on his TV show and address the people of Iran. Ramin did make a huge difference through his TV show in the lives of many Iranians both in Iran and in the US as well.

What is unique about ‘From Ashes To Glory’ is Ramin’s delving into Iranian history of how this great civilization was taken over by Arab Muslims in the Seventh Century. In fact Egypt and Iran were conquered by the Arab/Islamic jihadist invasion in the same year of 639 A.D.

Ramin also talks about his horrific life experience under Islamic Law (Sharia), his struggles in his exciting journey to discovering the truth in Christ.

In this engaging and thought-provoking book, with depth and clarity, Ramin compares Islam vs. Christianity and their respective impacts on the world around us. Ramin helps and encourages the reader to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He offers practical advice for leading Muslims to God’s saving grace. This book reminds us to take heart because the simple but powerful message of the Gospel is healing and transforming the lives of people everywhere including the Muslim world.

Ramin’s struggle to serving the Lord is at the center of his personal and his professional life. He is an important figure in helping expose the persecution of Christians in the Muslim world. He is also bringing the good news of Christ to the people of Iran.

Ramin is also a loyal and proud citizen of the United States and because of his love of this great nation he is bravely speaking to Americans about the challenge to Western freedoms and democracy from Islam and its barbaric legal system called sharia.

- Nonie Darwish

This book is the story of a former Muslim from Iran and his journey to a new life in Jesus Christ. He tells you the things he has seen and experienced while living under Islamic Sharia law in Iran. This book will consider the birth of Islam and its impact on people’s lives in various nations, as well as the impact of Christianity on the world. You will also learn about the conflict between the West and Islam, Sharia law,Islamic jihad and how to reach out to Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my heavenly Father who has loved me unconditionally. He has known me since before the foundation of the world, and sent His only begotten Son to die for me.

To my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in whose righteousness I stand. After all, it’s His story, the story of His redemptive grace, mercy, and the kindness He has shown me.

To the Holy Spirit who has graciously guided and taught me all these years. I couldn’t do it without Him. He has inspired me to write this book. He is the one who has comforted me in difficult times.

And to my family, especially my mother, who worked so hard to raise me. Her love for God motivated me to seek the truth more fervently. She is an example of perseverance and endurance in hard times. She raised ten children in an oppressed and tough country. To my earthly father who didn’t live long enough to see the glory days, but was diligently searching for truth.

To all my good friends who have helped and prayed for me tirelessly; to fellow ministers, brothers and sisters in Christ who have sacrificed so much to spread the good news of salvation. They believed in me, encouraged me, and taught me many good things. I’m deeply grateful.

And to the members of the persecuted Church, who are paying an unbelievable price to serve and follow the Lord, and the heroes of faith, those who are set apart for Christ’s sake. Thank God for them. And to the ones who paid with their blood to serve God.

INTRODUCTION

I thank God that you followed His prompting to pick up From Ashes to Glory . My intent for writing it was to encourage you and show you an example of hope and resurrection in Christ. In addition, my aim is to expose Islam, compare its world impact and its values with that of Christianity, and share Christ’s Gospel.

What humbly qualifies me to talk about Islam is the fact that I lived and breathed it for nineteen years, not in democratic America, but in war-torn Iran where I was born, just a few years after the hostile takeover of the Ayatollah Khomeini and halfway into the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. Raised in the wake of turmoil and oppression, I always clung to Allah, whom I longed to know and please but never could.

As I matured, my questions about life’s meaning and purpose remained unanswered. This and other life events led to a painful awakening that I had put my trust in the furthest thing from a loving God. My arduous journey to Christianity was truly a rebirth, because as a Muslim and a non-Christian my spirit was dead.

Over the years and during my travels as a Christian evangelist both in the U.S. and abroad, people have asked me the same questions about Islam, the Christian faith, and the socio-political issues of our day. There is much confusion about Islam and why it has caused so much wilful strife, death and destruction anywhere it has dominated, for as long as humanity can recall. In the current climate of political correctness that undermines our very safety and that of our families, my aim is to shine a light on a deception, for beneath Islam lies an ideological threat to the West that is demonstrably real.

To move forward with purposeful clarity, we must understand the past, from both historical and Biblical perspectives. Therefore, in the following pages, I talk about the birth and spread of Islam, and how it reduced Ancient Persia’s glorious empire to ashes. Leading up to Iran’s modern history, I also delve into the centuries-long conflict between Islam and the West, the mission and plan of Islam, the intricacies of jihad and Sharia Law, that are seeping into our communities at an alarming rate.

Although I share my story of conversion in the opening chapters, From Ashes to Glory is not meant to be read as a novel, for each chapter thereafter offers what I believe to be valuable insights about the topics it covers, and can be treated as a stand-alone message.

If you are a Christian, this book will impart how to form a more personal and intimate relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and boldly share the Gospel with others, especially our Muslim neighbors who are mostly genuine but deceived and desperate for the Word of Life. May your hearts be stirred and your passion for the Gospel re-ignited. If you are of a different persuasion or none at all, I want to introduce you to God’s abounding grace and love, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who has inspired me to write and share my story of hope and redemption, of rising out of the ashes and walking into Christ’s glory.

Chapter One

I WAS BORN A MUSLIM

I t was September 1985, in the thick of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war that started in 1980. I was born into a devoutly Shi’ite Muslim family in a village roughly sixty miles west of Shiraz, the capital of Fars (Pars), Iran, where the famed King Cyrus had his palace and his tomb is presently located.

According to Islamic tradition, my parents sang in my ears as a newborn in order to claim me as a Muslim for life. Shortly after that, I was circumcised which is a tradition they imitated from the Jews.

The revolution in 1979 effectively ended the Pahlavi Dynasty founded by Reza Shah whose successor was his son, Mohammad Reza Shah. My father was very much in favour of the Shah, but he lost his position and influence to the Muslim cleric, Ayatollah Khomeini, after the uprising. The Islamic Revolution produced the first Islamic government in the modern era, and early signs pointed to Khomeini’s clear intent to export this type of Islamic rule to other countries.

I recall my father’s stories about how the rebels and millions of people sang, The devil leaves and the angel comes, as they pushed the Shah out of power and into exile. I also watched footages of the revolution on government-controlled TV. After Islam came to power, Iran immediately became hostile to the West. Muslims who were loyal to the cause of the revolution attacked the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and held fifty-two American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days. Iran was placed under heavy sanctions because of this, killing all manner of tourism.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the son of Reza Shah left Iran with tears during the islamic revolution. Mohammad Reza shah and his father served Iran well. Many countries refused to receive him due to political upheaval. He stayed in Panama for a while. Even President Carter was reluctant to allow him in the United States for medical treatment because he was concern about hostage crisis. Shah was suffering from cancer. Finally, after pressures from the president’s aids, he allowed the Shah in for medical treatment and sure enough the Islamists in Iran attacked the U.S. embassy and took the Americans hostage. Later the Shah left the United States under pressure and the only person who was willing to receive him was Muhammad Anwar el-Sadat the third President of Egypt, serving from 15 October 1970. But this costed him his life, later Sadat was assassinated by the Islamists on 6 October 1981. Many believe that he was killed because he allowed the Shah to come to Egypt. The Shah was a close friend of Sadat. As result of Egypt receiving the Shah, the relationship between the newly founded Islamic regime in Iran and Egypt began to deteriorate.

Shah was a very close ally of the United States that protected the Interest of the United States and had stabilised the region. His ousted was a loss for the U.S. After the Islamic revolution, the entire region began to fight for their own Islamic revolution. Iran was also friendly to Israel.

Iran was an instrumental country for the West in order to send their aid to Soviet Union to be able to fight Nazi Germany.

My father’s position about the revolution was quite clear. Friends, relatives and neighbours knew he opposed the Islamic regime; he was harassed and ostracised for his allegiance to the Shah. Islamists hated him.

Many thought that Khomeini’s takeover would usher in a divine and holy government to establish the peace and justice that he had promised to Iran’s people. Instead, the booming and vibrant economy that the Shah had previously established quickly turned to ashes in the hands of the Islamic regime. Newspapers, universities, and cinemas were shut down, guns were confiscated from the people, and women were forced to wear headscarves (hijabs).

Islam quickly gained supremacy, dominating the school system and every sector of society. The oppressive Islamic sharia law began to be implemented. People were told what to eat and drink, where to go, what not to do, etc. Many Jews who had come to Iran as refugees during World War II or those Jews whose ancestors had come to Persia centuries ago hastily fled to Israel or the U.S. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of important people left the country as they foresaw the terror that was soon to come and the decline that they were witnessing. These