A Meeting with a Masked Muslim


I’m currently using an Amtrak USA Rail Pass for the third time. It’s an excellent way to travel across the United States at a significantly reduced cost, provided you’re willing to ride in coach and tolerate trains that are not always punctual. During a recent trip from Chicago to Austin, I encountered a rather challenging witnessing opportunity.

At the beginning of the ride, I chatted and shared stories with a fellow Christian in the observation car. When I returned to my window seat, a darker-skinned man wearing a face mask had taken the aisle seat next to mine. He asked, “How are you doing?” 


I gave my usual answer, “Saved and going to heaven. How about you?” 


He replied, “So am I.”


I asked, “You know Jesus?”


“I know Jesus. I’m a Muslim.”


It’s uncommon for someone who isn’t a believer to respond positively to my question about being “saved and going to heaven.” When I asked if he was from India or Pakistan, he became defensive, as if I was stereotyping him. He then complained about illegal aliens being removed from this country. I assured him that I welcome anyone who wants to move to America as long as they do so legally and assimilate as law-abiding citizens.


As I helped him charge his iPhone (he had a cable but forgot his charging brick), he became friendlier. I discovered that Omer was born in Pakistan and came to the United States to attend college. He later became an American citizen. Omer then rambled on about how he believes people of different religions should work together to make the world a better place. Fortunately for me, we were interrupted when a friend of mine in Virginia called my phone about something. Omer briefly left his seat but later returned.


One point I made to Omer was that religion is humanity’s attempt to appease God through good deeds. However, when Jesus died on the cross, He declared, “It is finished.” Omer mentioned that he knows former Christians who have become Muslims. I suspect that most (if not all) of them didn’t know the Lord but had adhered to a religious system. I refrained from discussing that since Omer had expressed his desire to avoid arguments. Nevertheless, he claimed to have engaged in numerous debates on this topic.


Before he disembarked from the train in St. Louis, I offered Omer a “Have You Heard the Good News” tract. Omer accepted the tract and expressed his intention to read it. I pray that he will follow through and come to a realization that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the Savior of all those who put their trust in Him.


“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” - John 3:36

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