Ali Pektash was a Turkish-born Muslim. He was an alcoholic and his life was falling apart.

Because of these struggles, family and friends urged Ali to make a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca believing this journey would help him get his life back together. Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia where alcohol is banned. His friends thought this time away from drink might break his addiction.

They also hoped the religious experience of Mecca would change his life.

Ali agreed to go on the pilgrimage. After arriving in Mecca, Ali cried out to God for help. But this help showed up in a totally unexpected way.

One night, shortly after he arrived, Ali had a dream. In it, Jesus appeared to him, touched Ali’s chest and said to him:

“You believe in Me, now leave this place.”

The next morning while preparing for a shower Ali noticed the hair on his chest where Jesus touched him had turned white.

Ali was convinced Jesus had spoken to him. When Ali returned to Turkey, he told his family about his dream and announced that he had become a Christian while in Mecca. His family and friends were shocked. He apologized to his wife for how bad he had treated her.

It took seven years before Ali ran into another Christian. Eventually he went on to start his own church in Turkey.

Ali recently shared his testimony at Christ Church in Jerusalem. He feels called to bring reconciliation to the children of Abraham — both Jew and Muslim — through Jesus. For many Muslims these unique encounters are necessary to convince them to turn to Christ, because such decisions can lead to severe persecution.

In the book of Joel, the prophet said the end times would be marked by God communicating to people through visions and dreams. The verse is very clear that this will happen to “all mankind.”

It will come about after this
That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind;
And your sons and daughters will prophesy,
Your old men will dream dreams,
Your young men will see visions. (Joel 2:28 NASV)

There have been many stories of Muslims encountering Jesus through dreams. Muslims are open to Christ because Jesus is mentioned numerous times in the Qur’an. It calls Jesus a prophet (Surah 2:136) and says He performed miraculous healings (Surah 3:49). Jesus is known by many Muslims as the healing prophet.

 

Read more:

• Muslim goes to Mecca — and finds Jesus! Israel Today