What do you think?
Rate this book
Freedom Fighter: One Man's Fight for One Free World
It’s time to fight back! This is the true story of one man’s continuing fight for a world free of religious persecution. Majed El Shafie was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to die after he converted from Islam to Christianity. His dramatic story, and those of others worldwide who are suffering persecution, are told in shocking, yet sensitive detail. Especially startling is the true story of rescuing a very young Pakistani girl who experienced horrific sexual abuse—because her family would not convert to Islam. Although hard to imagine and even harder to accept, this important truth about religious persecution is blatantly exposed. Millions of families are praying for help. They are suffering daily in China, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and many other countries—solely because of their beliefs. Freedom Fighter is Reverend El Shafie’s outreach—it follows his heroic work over a four-year period as he traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan to investigate claims of abuse, persecution, and slavery and to speak truth to governments that neglect and violate the human rights of their citizens. This fight involves all believers—please help.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2017
Majed El Shafie is obviously very passionate about human rights and freedoms of persecuted minorities - and understandably, given his experiences as a member of a persecuted minority in Egypt.
He has also done remarkable work in founding his organisation, One Free World International, which works to rescue people who are persecuted for their faith and advocates for freedom of religion by encouraging trade boycotts of nations with poor human rights records.
However, and maybe it’s just me, but in this book, I felt his passion comes across as more of a propaganda/fanatical kind of writing, with a hectoring and patronising tone. This didn’t make it a great read.
So 4★ for the importance of the subject matter, 2★ for the style of writing, so I’m splitting the difference and calling it 3★ overall.
He has also done remarkable work in founding his organisation, One Free World International, which works to rescue people who are persecuted for their faith and advocates for freedom of religion by encouraging trade boycotts of nations with poor human rights records.
However, and maybe it’s just me, but in this book, I felt his passion comes across as more of a propaganda/fanatical kind of writing, with a hectoring and patronising tone. This didn’t make it a great read.
So 4★ for the importance of the subject matter, 2★ for the style of writing, so I’m splitting the difference and calling it 3★ overall.
February 6, 2014
This book by the founder of One Free World International (OFWI) presents the personal testimony of Majed El Shafie regarding his own account of torture, imprisonment, and a narrow escape from execution for the crime of converting from Islam to Christianity. However, the book principally is concerned with his advocacy on behalf of those who are mistreated and considered less than full citizens of their nation because of their religious beliefs. This is an eye-opening book if you have not been reading or watching news beyond the mainstream media reports. The accounts of several who are suffering for their faith bring the issue to life. The book makes an appeal for action and provides links to several resources that would be helpful and informative.
This was an inspiring book in that it is leading me to take more action regarding the concern of freedom of religion and conscience. The only drawback I found to the book is the amount of material that was repeated throughout. Perhaps this was done for emphasis.
This was an inspiring book in that it is leading me to take more action regarding the concern of freedom of religion and conscience. The only drawback I found to the book is the amount of material that was repeated throughout. Perhaps this was done for emphasis.
February 18, 2022
This is a very powerful and informative book. A collection of testimony, facts, and voices. This changed my perspective A LOT. Actually, that kind of thing is what I love about books. Books make me capable of knowing more, allowing me to dive deeper into serious topics by just sitting with a book. Anyone who has a heart for people and is concerned about human rights, more particularly religious rights, should read this.
What I feel right now after reading this is something that I can't directly explain. First of all, I'm awakened by the injustice that is happening in many parts of the world. Horrible stories of those poor people are something that pushes me to not just sit here after I read about them. Therefore, I'm here to participate in prayer. 2nd, just wow, I feel a large sympathy for those where human rights are severely violated. 3rd, I just want to cry right now after being exposed to these truths. I'm filled with this anger from those wicked people and corrupt officials!
At the age of 16, I know that God let me read this book for a reason. Of all the books that are waiting to be picked up in our church's library, this one caught my attention.
Thank you to the author and OFWI organization. My prayers are with you and with the people...
I printed out the prayer requests because I'm planning to make it a checklist for the everyday. And I subscribed here, http://ofwi.org
What I feel right now after reading this is something that I can't directly explain. First of all, I'm awakened by the injustice that is happening in many parts of the world. Horrible stories of those poor people are something that pushes me to not just sit here after I read about them. Therefore, I'm here to participate in prayer. 2nd, just wow, I feel a large sympathy for those where human rights are severely violated. 3rd, I just want to cry right now after being exposed to these truths. I'm filled with this anger from those wicked people and corrupt officials!
At the age of 16, I know that God let me read this book for a reason. Of all the books that are waiting to be picked up in our church's library, this one caught my attention.
Thank you to the author and OFWI organization. My prayers are with you and with the people...
I printed out the prayer requests because I'm planning to make it a checklist for the everyday. And I subscribed here, http://ofwi.org
When you pray for people, God’s heart opens and situations positively change. Prayer links all believers in a way the evil cannot penetrate— in ways that overcome the circumstances.
August 7, 2022
This book has a very important message for all of us about religious freedom that is lacking in many countries around the world. I wish that the book was organized with a better flow to improve its readibility. Almost 50% of the book is appendix which repeats some information in the body of the book but it also contains more pertinent information that I feel should have been in the body of the book. I normally don’t read the appendix carefully, but I took the time to read this one because it was so long. I hope the author releases another edition of the book that will shorten the appendix and create a more logical flow. I am grateful for his work to advance religious freedom around the world.
May 27, 2018
Excellent message
I found the book to be thought provoking and informative. However, I also thought it was very “preachy”. I understand that there is a need to address the abuse directed towards religious sects and women and children but I found that being told this every few paragraphs was most annoying.
I found the book to be thought provoking and informative. However, I also thought it was very “preachy”. I understand that there is a need to address the abuse directed towards religious sects and women and children but I found that being told this every few paragraphs was most annoying.
February 13, 2022
I was on a bit of a roller-coaster with this book, at times I wanted to cry, others I was angry, intrigued and at some points I was bored as it goes over the same things multiple times. However the book is an eye opener for sure! I am blessed to live where I do.
September 24, 2023
Good read for human element
Really good read for the human element of those persecuted for their beliefs. Good summary of current issues in human rights abuse countries. Political resolution seem to be idealistic and really will not motivate political leaders to act.
Really good read for the human element of those persecuted for their beliefs. Good summary of current issues in human rights abuse countries. Political resolution seem to be idealistic and really will not motivate political leaders to act.
October 25, 2012
I think this book should be read by everyone or at least by everyone who lives in a nation where they can worship God in freedom. What an eye opener this book was. We take so much for granted here.
I was aware that there is religious persecution in other parts of the world, but this book made it very real, all too real. The stories it tells are horrifying, but necessary for us to read. We need to pray, give, speak up and do our part to help those who are suffering for their faith. We need to help even if the beliefs they have are different from ours. It is heartbreaking to think that humans can treat other humans who were created by God like that.
The book can be repetitious at times, and a little dry as various laws, policies etc. are quoted. But this book must be read. It is that important. You will be changed after reading this. You cannot look at things the same. The author is an amazing man. He himself was tortured and sentenced to death in Egypt but managed to escape to Israel. He eventually made it to Canada. With all he went through, he has dedicated his life towards helping others in similar situations.
This review is based on a free ebook given to me by the publisher.
I was aware that there is religious persecution in other parts of the world, but this book made it very real, all too real. The stories it tells are horrifying, but necessary for us to read. We need to pray, give, speak up and do our part to help those who are suffering for their faith. We need to help even if the beliefs they have are different from ours. It is heartbreaking to think that humans can treat other humans who were created by God like that.
The book can be repetitious at times, and a little dry as various laws, policies etc. are quoted. But this book must be read. It is that important. You will be changed after reading this. You cannot look at things the same. The author is an amazing man. He himself was tortured and sentenced to death in Egypt but managed to escape to Israel. He eventually made it to Canada. With all he went through, he has dedicated his life towards helping others in similar situations.
This review is based on a free ebook given to me by the publisher.
November 4, 2015
I liked how someone actually wrote about the massacres and killing of Christians (and other non Muslim religion) in the Middle East region from Muslims and the governments. There is also just a huge inequity towards the religious minorities. The women are kidnapped and sold in slavery or forced to be ones wife. This stuff is just ignored by the mainstream media where they will stick to the other stories. Bottom line is no one is doing anything about it and the Western Nations continue to give money to these countries because they are supposed to be our allies and we are looking the other way while these countries hate everything about us. I am glad he has the courage to speak out.
My big know on the book is that he repeats himself multiple times and the book could have been shorter if he did this, which would have made the book very short.
My big know on the book is that he repeats himself multiple times and the book could have been shorter if he did this, which would have made the book very short.
January 31, 2014
One Man's Fight
The picture on this book portrays a praying man, leading one to believe it is a spiritual book. Although I highly respect the writer's true account of persecution, including his own and others. I felt disappointed at his efforts to use the political landscape as a strong solution to the problem. what about God and the church? Also, he will have to update his book, since the political scene in Egypt continues to change almost monthly, and he gives much detail in his book about that.
The picture on this book portrays a praying man, leading one to believe it is a spiritual book. Although I highly respect the writer's true account of persecution, including his own and others. I felt disappointed at his efforts to use the political landscape as a strong solution to the problem. what about God and the church? Also, he will have to update his book, since the political scene in Egypt continues to change almost monthly, and he gives much detail in his book about that.
June 12, 2014
Must read! Not an easy read but an extremely moving book. Makes you want to go out and change your life mission. The author has helpfully included many ways you can help (without necessarily uprooting all). Unbelievable what still goes on and what gets tolerated. Something I will be thinking about, and voting according to, for years.
January 23, 2014
This is one of those books that will change your life. It brings some much needed attention to the persecution of people around the world because of their religious belief and is truly powerful. I would definitely recommend reading it!
March 8, 2014
How do you rate a book like this? Or one on slavery, or human trafficking? It's not amazing because of the subject matter. It could be (and this one is)beautifully written. And how we take our religious freedom for granted.
May 2, 2014
This book is an insightful, first hand look at the persecution that is going on in many countries around the world. It provides actionable steps to get involved and help to hold governments accountable.
June 2, 2015
This is a very dark sad book. It isn't written in a way that led me to want to keep reading. It isn't organized very well. Religious freedom is denied in so many places in the world.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews