WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - This is Samer Mohammad as a young adult. He was a Muslim extremist who says he was brought up to kill non-believers of his faith.
"If I find you before I would want to kill you," Mohammad said.
First Baptist Church of West Monroe opened its doors to the changed man, who is now a Christian. He turned to his new faith ten years ago.
"I grew up with hate for Israel and Americans and I like to kill a lot of Americans and a lot of Israelis for I need to go to the heaven," Mohammad said.
Hundreds at the church listened to his life changing story. Mohammad says his old teachings taught him how to hate others, specifically Americans and Jews. While he doesn't know how many people his dad killed, he says he was indeed a terrorist and wanted to follow in those footsteps. Mohammad's call to Christianity came during a crucial time as President George W bush led an effort to put an end to terrorism.
"I saw in the television, an Iraqi man came and take his shoes...I want to tell him I'm sad," Mohammad said.
Mohammad has been kicked out of his family but still lives in the Middle East.
"My brother he tried to kill me many times. I left my home for 10 years. I don't live with my family," he said.
He was even unable to see the burial of his mother when she died a few years ago. The former extremist says he's been taken to jail three times for his new faith but says he remains fearless after taking on Christianity.
