By Shara Lee

AT 76 years old, Father Zakaria Botros appears strong and healthy. He is worth 60 million dollars to Muslim extremists, yet you wouldn't know it by looking at him. He is often seen with a wide grin on his face -- and there is neither fear in his eyes nor trepidation in his step.

Asked by CC.com if he is ever afraid for his life, his reply was surprising. "Never," he said.

Botros, who is a Coptic priest from Egypt, was recently at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. for 'The Unveiling,' a three-day gathering organized by Watchmen for the Nations. He spoke about his life, his work and the threat he believes Islamism poses to Christianity. He also sat down with CC.com to share what he thinks the church of the West needs to know. WEBLINK: watchmen.org

After his brother was brutally murdered by Islamic extremists for sharing the gospel, Botros began studying the Qur'an -- and discovered things he considered shocking.

He told CC.com that the key Islamic books -- the Qur'an and the Hadith -- contain numerous lines inciting adherents to kill, behead and terrorize 'infidels.' Instead of acting out of revenge, he said he approaches Muslims with love -- but acknowledged that, for them, seeing the truth can be painful.

He was labelled a threat by the Taliban, when his weekly satellite program critiquing Islam began converting extraordinary numbers of Muslims into Christians.

Botros stated that he always looks at the bounty on his head as an honour to the Lord.

"The United States has put a bounty on [Osama] Bin Laden's head for $25 million," he said. "The work of Jesus has $60 million, and the work of Bin Laden has $25 million. It shows how they are shaken, and . . . upset about the work that has been done to Islam. It shows the worth of the work of the Holy Spirit."

In just seven years, he recorded 500 programs with a simple yet very convincing approach. He would quote Islamic scriptures and ask his viewers if a true God would really condone customs such as marrying child brides.

He also challenged the controversial practice of 'abrogation' in the Qur'an -- citing instances where the prophet Muhammad would pronounce the will of Allah, and later revoke it. "I collected all the things that he said and he cancelled," said Botros.

His approach was difficult for many Muslims to accept, and they asked why Botros couldn't just leave their religion alone. After all, many other Christian evangelists share the good news of the Bible and do not trample on the holy books of other religions. But Father Zakaria saw Islam as a direct threat to Christianity. It was then that he created his 10 demands. "They told me: 'Why are you hating the pillars of Islam like this? Just keep to yourself; don't touch Islam.' So I said: 'I want these things.'"

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One of his demands was that all Muslim scriptures which incite people to kill non-followers should be renounced. Another demand was to abolish the punishment for apostasy, by stopping the torture, imprisonment and murder of converts to Christianity.

"At the gathering, I was surprised at his openness," said David Demian, director of Watchmen, who translated for Botros during The Unveiling. Watching Botros speak so forthrightly, he said, was humbling. "This man has a $60 million bounty over his head . . . and I'm afraid, and he is not."

Demian, who met Botros as a young man in Egypt, believes the priest has done a great deal for Christianity in the Arab world. He attributes his own ministry in large part to Father Zakaria.

"He encourages me to believe. Many across the Arab world would not have risen to where we are now, except because of his boldness."

It was this kind of courage that prompted World Magazine to name Botros 'Daniel of the Year.' His response: "If it was not for the work of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in me, I would have nothing at all. So any honour, blessing or privilege belongs to the Lord."

Although Botros is well past the average retirement age, he has no plans to slow down. Instead, he is expanding his ministry by starting a satellite channel that will air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"This also gives us opportunities in different countries. We're doing evangelism, discipleship and training of leaders. We'll also encourage former Muslims to contribute to the channel."

Considering his last program had an estimated 60 million viewers, a channel that will broadcast a 24/7 stream is sure to anger some Islamists -- and make Botros an even more sought-after target.

"Islam, for 14 centuries, has never been touched -- before Father Zakaria in the last seven years," said Demian. Botros, he added, has changed the way many Muslims look at their own religion.

Botros maintained that people need to "wake up to the reality of Islam." Many think of it as a 'religion of peace.' Botros said that when Muhammad was starting out in Mecca, he did indeed preach a message of peace and love. "That is often the message that gets translated to the West. But this did not gain him many followers, and was seen as weak."

Later, said Botros, when the prophet went to Medina, "he became a warrior leader, preaching about conquering and destroying the enemies. This is the reality today."

Botros is currently living in an undisclosed location, broadcasting his message to many parts of the Arab world.

September 2/2010