VIDEO: Shopkeeper’s Compassion Converts Robber
From CNN
NEW YORK (CNN) — A potential victim became a compassionate counselor during a recent robbery attempt, changing the would-be criminal’s mind — and apparently his religion.
Surveillance video shows storekeeper Mohammad Sohail holding a robber at bay with a shotgun.
Storekeeper Mohammad Sohail was closing up his Long Island convenience store just after midnight on May 21 when — as shown on the store’s surveillance video — a man came in wielding a baseball bat and demanding money.
“He said, ‘Hurry up and give me the money, give me the money!’ and I said, ‘Hold on’,” Sohail recalled in a phone interview with CNN on Tuesday, after the store video and his story was carried on local TV.
Sohail said he reached under the counter, grabbed his gun and told the robber to drop the bat and get down on his knees.
“He’s crying like a baby,” Sohail said. “He says, ‘Don’t call police, don’t shoot me, I have no money, I have no food in my house.’ ”
Amidst the man’s apologies and pleas, Sohail said he felt a surge of compassion.
He made the man promise never to rob anyone again and when he agreed, Sohail gave him $40 and a loaf of bread.
“When he gets $40, he’s very impressed, he says, ‘I want to be a Muslim just like you,’ ” Sohail said, adding he had the would-be criminal recite an Islamic oath.
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Comments
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PLEASE STOP SAYING: Christians were the biggest murderers in history. Read and understand your history. First of all, within the old testament time (pre Christ’s coming) and during the dispensation of God, it was ordered by God some of the wars. Post Christ’s death on the cross, and AFTER Christ ordered for Christians to turn the other cheek, it became SIN to go to war.
SO, if a so-called Christian is at war, in an attempt to kill off people (not talking at this time about the individuals in the military but such as one in authority), judging them by their fruits, and Jesus’ instructions then THEY ARE NOT FOLLOWING AFTER CHRIST. THEY ARE NOT BEING CHRIST LIKE. THEN PERHAPS THEY ARE NOT CHRISTIANS.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE BEING BLIND AND USING THAT AS AN EXCUSE TO DEDUCT CHRIST OUT OF YOUR LIFE…THEN WHO DO YOU BLAME FOR THAT?
incorrect we do believe in Jesus as a prophet of Allah sorry to tell u but all that Christians say about Jesus he never say he was just a humble man and great prophet (May all bless him)
tha clerk jus truly believes, an when u truly have GOD in ur heart, an pray witt belief, all things r possible
i think the man was really desperate…been in that situation b4 n almost came to do the samething. tha store owner show that not all muslims are bad or very different from other religions. they just want the same thing all faiths want, to live in peace, have happiness, & well being. i am speaking for the whole hearted people, not the extremist. I think the store owner was also in a simular situation b4. think about it…if you believe in what goes areound comes around, then i am gonna tell you, u believe in sum kind of religion, think about it..Karma..n because it is written…
IN reference to bonzai….Yes there is only God. Muslims do believe in God and Allah is arabic for God but they do not believ in Jesus who is both the Messiah and foundation for christianity.
Is there really a God, or is that what your ancestors were murdered and forced to learn? Christians- some of the biggest murderers in history?
–I’m just saying
I commend anyone who believes. I am a little offended by the statment made by grahamatical. Yes we Christians do believe that it is commendable to any one who leads a stray sheep nor will we make this into a religious circus. All of us are not banning every one to hell! What you believe is wat u believe.
All praise is due to Allah
Okay, so the robber was forced to pray to (a) God. So this is how the church should get more people to show up.
What the shopkeeper did was highly commendable. I hope Christian extremists/conservatives don’t take it to a whole other level. This shows that there is a great amount of compassion in the Islamic community. I no longer subscribe to religion but am respectful of those who are faithful.
This is proof that there is only one God. For all of u who think that muslims believe in something different, stop watchin the news and do ur research. Allah simply means God in arabic. And God is in control of all things.
I love this story !! I originally saw it on the News 2 days ago. It is a story about compassion and a last option. The story could have turned out so much differant. The gentleman behind the counter had the entire situatation in his hands. It shows the compassion that people have in light of the hard economic times. Readers should also take an opportunity to consider the despiration that one has to go through to be in a situation where that is your last resort. It also allows readers and jusiciaries alike to re-evaluate a multitude of people in the penal system and empythyse with them even if the means to attain what they need to survive is unlawful and leniancy should be applied in CERTAIN situations. Horray for the store owner, and my empathies go out to the would be robber, i just pray that he takes the blessings bestowed upon him and find alternate means.