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Israel and Jordan1980 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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The first one that Ibrahim approached with his newfound faith was his brother, Atallah. Though reluctant to get involved, due to his love of religious tradition, he eventually investigated. Troubled with poor eyesight, Atallah picked up a large-print Bible at a ‘give-away’ price and started to check for himself what his brother had been telling him. He began to see that it was the truth. Matthew chapter 23 made an especially strong impression, as he noted that what it says applied to the clergy with whom he was acquainted.
In due course, David Farjini completed his work in Haifa and returned home to Egypt, leaving Ibrahim and Atallah on their own. Pressure and opposition that began to build up against them were prompted in part by their own outspokenness in criticizing the church. Ibrahim was a kerosene delivery man and wherever he entered a home and saw religious pictures or images he would write a scripture citation right on the picture. Then he would tell the housewife to have her husband look up the text when he got home from work. Nor were the brothers very tactful in dealing with their own families, and this contributed to the opposition they experienced.
For example, Atallah walked into his own home one day with a hammer and smashed every image and picture in sight. He did this without explanation or warning, much to the consternation of his wife and young children who just stood dumb-founded watching the performance. However, several of his children came into the truth, and today grandchildren of his are active Witnesses.
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Israel and Jordan1980 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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As a result of the bishop’s boycott decree, no one would speak with Ibrahim and Atallah, thus calling attention to their newfound faith. In due course, nearly all of Ibrahim’s large family became Witnesses, and, in recent years, two of his sons and one of his daughters have tasted pioneer service.
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Israel and Jordan1980 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses
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[Picture on page 220]
Ibrahim (left) and Atallah Shehadi, fleshly brothers, pioneered the witnessing work in Haifa
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