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U.S. BECOMES CHIEF ENABLER OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
FrontPage Magazine
May 16 2014
May 16, 2014 by Raymond Ibrahim
Originally published by the Gatestone Institute
Human rights organization Open Doors published its 2014 World Watch
List in January, highlighting and ranking the top 50 nations that
persecute Christians. The overwhelming majority of countries making
the list--and nine of the top ten worst offenders--are Muslim, and
include nations from among America's allies (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait) and
its contenders (Iran); from among economically rich nations (Qatar)
and poor nations (Somalia and Yemen); from among "Islamic republic"
nations (Afghanistan), "democracies" (Iraq), and "moderate" nations
(Malaysia and Indonesia).
The report also indicates that every Muslim nation that the U.S. has
helped "liberate," including in the context of the "Arab Spring,"
has become significantly worse for Christians and other minorities.
Previously moderate Syria is now ranked the third worst nation in the
world to be Christian, Iraq fourth, Afghanistan fifth, and Libya 13th.
All four receive the worst designation in the ranking process:
"extreme persecution."
Three of these countries--Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya--were
"liberated" in part thanks to U.S. forces, while in the fourth,
Syria, the U.S. is actively sponsoring "freedom fighters" against
the regime, many of whom have been responsible for any number of
atrocities--including massacres, beheadings, and the crucifixion of
Christians and others.
Despite this track record of interfering in Islamic nations only for
the human rights of minorities to plummet, and despite the fact that
Syria has gotten dramatically worse for Christian minorities, Secretary
of State John Kerry declared in January that, if only Bashar Assad
goes away, "I believe that a peace can protect all of the minorities:
Druze, Christian, Isma'ilis, Alawites--all of them can be protected,
and you can have a pluralistic Syria, in which minority rights of
all people are protected."
The same was predicted of Iraq over a decade ago, yet today, well
more than half of the Christians are either dead or fled, after years
of constant attacks on their churches and persons once Arab dictator
Saddam Hussein was ousted.
Libya offers a more recent precedent. Since U.S.-backed "rebels"
overthrew Qaddafi, Christians--including Americans--have been tortured
and killed (some for refusing to convert), their churches bombed,
and their nuns threatened.
January's roundup of Muslim persecution of Christians around the world
includes (but is not limited to) the following accounts, listed by
theme and country in alphabetical order, not necessarily according
to severity.
Attacks on Christian Places of Worship
Egypt: Christian churches were severely targeted during the first month
of 2014. Among other incidents, during New Year Eve church services,
Muslim Brotherhood supporters attacked St. George Church in Ain Shams;
one young Coptic man died from a bullet wound to the head.
International Christian Concern reports that on Friday, January 3,
Muslim Brotherhood supporters also attacked an Evangelical Church in
the Gesr El Suez area of Cairo, "pelt[ing] stones on the church and
chanting slogans against Christians," in the words of a local.
Reports indicate that "there was no security for the church building
and that the attackers operated with impunity." On Sunday, January 5,
security forces in Suez disrupted a terrorist cell belonging to the
"Supporters of Jerusalem," which was plotting to attack a nearby
church during January 7 Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Among
other things, a bomb was found in the bathroom of the Three Saints
Church in Beni Suef city, which was diffused by police. On January
10, security forces "arrested a bearded person in possession of
four hand grenades in a handbag next to the Church of two Saints,"
according to a local Christian. (In 2011, a suicide attack on the same
church on New Year's Eve resulted in the killing of over 20 Christian
worshippers). On January 24, authorities found explosives inside a
car parked behind the Al Malak church, which was targeted, "to be
exploded," sources told International Christian Concern. On Saturday,
January 25, Security forces in Ismailia Security directorate found
26 Molotov Cocktails inside a bag next to the church of St. Bishoy
in Ismailia city. Witnesses say that the person in possession of the
bag of explosives was sitting in a car next to the church and that
"he fled when he saw the policemen." On January 28, "A group of armed
men," reported Asia News, "attacked the Coptic Orthodox Church of the
Virgin Mary in the governorate of Giza. Police responded to gunfire
and one officer died in the shootout, while two others were injured."
Indonesia: In the province of Aceh, where Sharia law holds sway,
Christians, who make up 1.2 percent of the population, continue to
be denied permits to build churches. According to Agenzia Fides,
"There are only three churches in the provincial capital Banda Aceh
(one Catholic and two Protestant), and even though the Christian
population in Aceh is increasing, the requirements to obtain permits
and the pressures of radical Islamic groups on the civilian authorities
have made it extremely difficult for non-Muslims to build new places
of worship. Moreover, the current governor of the province, Zaini
Abdullah, who was elected in 2012, promotes a declared program of
islamization of society." A human rights leader was reported as saying
that the laws that appear within Sharia districts "limit the freedom
of minorities to practice their faith and are not coherent with the
Indonesian Constitution."
Malaysia: An unidentified assailant hurled two petrol bombs at a shrine
fronting the Church of the Assumption. Only one bomb ignited, causing
minor damage to the structure. This came in the context of anger at
Christians using the word "Allah" to refer to the biblical God. "But
the incident," said Sky News, "stirred memories of a wave of such
attacks on places of worship--mostly churches--four years ago during
an earlier bout of divisions over the dispute in the Muslim-majority
country.... Conservative Muslims have raised pressure in recent weeks
for Malay-speaking Christians to stop using the word 'Allah.'"
Nigeria: On a Friday in the Muslim-majority north, gunmen suspected
of being members of the Islamic organization Boko Haram burned down
a church and the house of a National Assembly member. Separately, in
the midst of several Sunday morning raids by Muslim Fulani herdsmen,
at least fifteen Christians killed.
South Sudan: During clashes between rebel groups and the recently
formed government of South Sudan, Catholic and Protestant churches were
attacked, priests forced to flee for their lives, and the whereabouts
of a bishop who disappeared remain unknown. Some 600,000 people,
most of them Christian, have also fled their homes amid reports of
mass slaughters and ongoing attacks on churches.
Zanzibar: More than 100 Muslims stormed a church following an evening
worship service and beat the visiting preacher. According to a church
elder, "These rowdy Muslims were shouting and yelling, saying, 'We
are looking for the bishop of the church to slaughter him--we are
tired of the existence of this church near our mosque and the noise
they are making.'" The Islamic mob fled when police arrived--but not
before tearing the visiting pastor's coat and shirt, and causing
him to suffer multiple contusions requiring medication. According
to another church member, the "congregation has been living in fear
for their lives... At the moment we cannot worship freely because we
are being threatened. The Muslims are accusing us of making a lot of
noise while they themselves make a lot of noise."
Attacks on Christian Freedom: Apostasy, Blasphemy, Proselytism
Algeria: Ali Touahir, a 52-year-old Muslim convert to Christianity,
is paying the price for apostasy: his Muslim wife has left him, taking
their seven-year-old daughter, and is divorcing him in court. One of
his wife's brothers has openly threated to kill him. According to court
documents, the wife's lawyer wrote: "It is not possible that my client
[the Muslim wife] still remain under the same roof with a man who has
renounced his religion, as he became apostate; and we are not ignorant
of the punishment that is due an apostate under sharia [death]."
Israel: Christians were warned against "slandering" Allah. A large
billboard was posted in Nazareth featuring a picture of an Israeli stop
sign, along with Koran 4:171 which reads: "O people of the Scripture
[Christians]! Do not exceed the limits of your religion. Say nothing
but the truth about Allah (The One True God). The Christ Jesus, Son
of Mary, was only a Messenger of God and His word conveyed to Mary
and a spirit created by Him. So believe in God and His messengers
and do not say: 'Three gods (trinity).' Cease! It will be better for
you. Indeed, Allah is the One and the Only God. His Holiness is far
above having a son."
Kazakhstan: A court fined two Protestant Christians for possession
of Christian publications, which were defined as "extremist material."
According to a note sent to Agenzia Fides, a "tough system of religious
censorship imposed by the state" prevails in the nation.
Earlier, in October, 2013, Bibles and icons in a small shop were
seized by police and the owner indicted for the sale of religious
material without the permission of the state. Similarly, a 67-year-old
Christian Presbyterian Pastor has been under arrest since May 17,
2013, on charges of distributing "extremist material," that is,
leaflets on the Christian faith.
Lebanon: After blasphemy allegations saying that a decades-old library
owned by a Christian and church leader possessed "material deemed
insulting to Islam and Muhammad," the building was torched in an arson
attack; two-thirds of its 80,000 books and manuscripts were destroyed.
Malaysia: Christians using the word "Allah" for worship were
again attacked by Muslim groups. Similarly, the portrait of one
Fr. Andrew Lawrence, Director of the Catholic weekly Herald,
was burned, and threats to his life continue. Msg. Murphy Pakiam,
the region's Archbishop Emeritus, in a letter asked authorities to
"take the necessary measures to prevent further provocative acts of
intimidation against minorities," and concluded by saying "let us
not forget to pray for our enemies, who have misunderstood our faith."
Pakistan: Asia Bibi, a Catholic Christian wife and mother who has
been on death row for over four years without trial for allegedly
blaspheming Islam and/or its prophet Muhammad, sent a message to Pope
Francis saying that "only God will be able to free me.... I also hope
that every Christian has been able to celebrate the Christmas just past
with joy. Like many other prisoners, I also celebrated the birth of
the Lord in prison in Multan, here in Pakistan... I would have liked
to be in St. Peter's for Christmas to pray with you, but I trust in
God's plan for me and hopefully it will be achieved next year."
Dhimmitude and Murder
Bangladesh: Ovidio Marandy, a young Christian and brother of a
Catholic priest, was murdered. According to his brother and family,
"Muslim radicals wanted to punish the young man, a well-known figure
in the local Catholic community, because he had recently organised
a demonstration in his village against Islamist violence," and more
generally was speaking for Christian rights in the Muslim majority
nation. According to the local Christian priest, "We are shocked by
what happened. Christians have the right to vote. Why are Islamists
attacking us? We want peace."
Egypt: Yet another Coptic Christian child was kidnapped in Egypt.
Thirteen-year-old Cyril Rif'at Fayiz was abducted in the Minya district
by "unknown persons" who later called the child's parents demanding
one million Egyptian pounds, nearly the equivalent of $150,000 USD,
an exorbitant sum for Egyptian villagers.
Syria: Two Armenian families were compelled to convert to Islam at
the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and one
man, Minas, a young Armenian, was killed for refusing. According to
iNews, "Minas and his father were held in ISIL's prison for 115 days,
according to one activist, and his accusation was that he refused
to submit [to Islam, i.e., convert]." The same report mentions other
Christian Armenians killed, including one who reportedly had "his head
chopped off and placed in a biscuit box." Separately, another Christian
man, Fadi, was beheaded and his body stabbed with his own crucifix,
which exposed him as a Christian to "rebels" who had stopped his car.
Turkey: Protests against Christmas and New Year celebrations were
described as "unprecedented" by Al-Monitor. The campaign was led by the
Anatolian Youth Association (AYA), the youth branch of the pro-Islamic
Felicity Party. In one instance, members displayed posters in various
Istanbul neighborhoods that pictured a Muslim man punching Santa Claus
with the slogan "No to New Year's and Christmas celebrations." The
group also distributed flyers stating, "We are crying out that the
New Year's and Christmas celebrations held in our country are wrong
and constitute a blow dealt to our Muslim identity.
" On 26 December at Beyazit Square in Istanbul, the AYA stabbed
an inflatable Santa while chanting against Christmas and New Year
celebrations. One Christian bishop expressed concerns that the Santa
parody was "like a rehearsal" for attacks on real people: "A handful
of Christians are left in this country, and such incidents naturally
cause fear... The savage murders of missionaries took place in the
wake of similar hate campaigns."
About this Series
The persecution of Christians in the Islamic world is on its way
to reaching pandemic proportions. Accordingly, "Muslim Persecution
of Christians" was developed to collate some--by no means all--of
the instances of persecution that surface each month. It serves
two purposes:
1) To document that which the mainstream media does not: the habitual,
if not chronic, persecution of Christians.
2) To show that such persecution is not "random," but systematic and
interrelated--that it is rooted in a worldview inspired by Sharia.
Accordingly, whatever the anecdote of persecution, it typically
fits under a specific theme, including hatred for churches and other
Christian symbols; sexual abuse of Christian women; forced conversions
to Islam; apostasy and blasphemy laws that criminalize and punish with
death those who "offend" Islam; theft and plunder in lieu of jizya
(financial tribute expected from non-Muslims); overall expectations
for Christians to behave like cowed dhimmis, or second-class,
"tolerated" citizens; and simple violence and murder. Sometimes it
is a combination.
Because these accounts of persecution span different ethnicities,
languages, and locales--from Morocco in the West, to India in
the East--it should be clear that one thing alone binds them:
Islam--whether the strict application of Islamic Sharia law, or the
supremacist culture born of it.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/2014/raymond-ibrahim/u-s-becomes-chief-enabler-of-christian-persecution/
From: A. Papazian
FrontPage Magazine
May 16 2014
May 16, 2014 by Raymond Ibrahim
Originally published by the Gatestone Institute
Human rights organization Open Doors published its 2014 World Watch
List in January, highlighting and ranking the top 50 nations that
persecute Christians. The overwhelming majority of countries making
the list--and nine of the top ten worst offenders--are Muslim, and
include nations from among America's allies (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait) and
its contenders (Iran); from among economically rich nations (Qatar)
and poor nations (Somalia and Yemen); from among "Islamic republic"
nations (Afghanistan), "democracies" (Iraq), and "moderate" nations
(Malaysia and Indonesia).
The report also indicates that every Muslim nation that the U.S. has
helped "liberate," including in the context of the "Arab Spring,"
has become significantly worse for Christians and other minorities.
Previously moderate Syria is now ranked the third worst nation in the
world to be Christian, Iraq fourth, Afghanistan fifth, and Libya 13th.
All four receive the worst designation in the ranking process:
"extreme persecution."
Three of these countries--Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya--were
"liberated" in part thanks to U.S. forces, while in the fourth,
Syria, the U.S. is actively sponsoring "freedom fighters" against
the regime, many of whom have been responsible for any number of
atrocities--including massacres, beheadings, and the crucifixion of
Christians and others.
Despite this track record of interfering in Islamic nations only for
the human rights of minorities to plummet, and despite the fact that
Syria has gotten dramatically worse for Christian minorities, Secretary
of State John Kerry declared in January that, if only Bashar Assad
goes away, "I believe that a peace can protect all of the minorities:
Druze, Christian, Isma'ilis, Alawites--all of them can be protected,
and you can have a pluralistic Syria, in which minority rights of
all people are protected."
The same was predicted of Iraq over a decade ago, yet today, well
more than half of the Christians are either dead or fled, after years
of constant attacks on their churches and persons once Arab dictator
Saddam Hussein was ousted.
Libya offers a more recent precedent. Since U.S.-backed "rebels"
overthrew Qaddafi, Christians--including Americans--have been tortured
and killed (some for refusing to convert), their churches bombed,
and their nuns threatened.
January's roundup of Muslim persecution of Christians around the world
includes (but is not limited to) the following accounts, listed by
theme and country in alphabetical order, not necessarily according
to severity.
Attacks on Christian Places of Worship
Egypt: Christian churches were severely targeted during the first month
of 2014. Among other incidents, during New Year Eve church services,
Muslim Brotherhood supporters attacked St. George Church in Ain Shams;
one young Coptic man died from a bullet wound to the head.
International Christian Concern reports that on Friday, January 3,
Muslim Brotherhood supporters also attacked an Evangelical Church in
the Gesr El Suez area of Cairo, "pelt[ing] stones on the church and
chanting slogans against Christians," in the words of a local.
Reports indicate that "there was no security for the church building
and that the attackers operated with impunity." On Sunday, January 5,
security forces in Suez disrupted a terrorist cell belonging to the
"Supporters of Jerusalem," which was plotting to attack a nearby
church during January 7 Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Among
other things, a bomb was found in the bathroom of the Three Saints
Church in Beni Suef city, which was diffused by police. On January
10, security forces "arrested a bearded person in possession of
four hand grenades in a handbag next to the Church of two Saints,"
according to a local Christian. (In 2011, a suicide attack on the same
church on New Year's Eve resulted in the killing of over 20 Christian
worshippers). On January 24, authorities found explosives inside a
car parked behind the Al Malak church, which was targeted, "to be
exploded," sources told International Christian Concern. On Saturday,
January 25, Security forces in Ismailia Security directorate found
26 Molotov Cocktails inside a bag next to the church of St. Bishoy
in Ismailia city. Witnesses say that the person in possession of the
bag of explosives was sitting in a car next to the church and that
"he fled when he saw the policemen." On January 28, "A group of armed
men," reported Asia News, "attacked the Coptic Orthodox Church of the
Virgin Mary in the governorate of Giza. Police responded to gunfire
and one officer died in the shootout, while two others were injured."
Indonesia: In the province of Aceh, where Sharia law holds sway,
Christians, who make up 1.2 percent of the population, continue to
be denied permits to build churches. According to Agenzia Fides,
"There are only three churches in the provincial capital Banda Aceh
(one Catholic and two Protestant), and even though the Christian
population in Aceh is increasing, the requirements to obtain permits
and the pressures of radical Islamic groups on the civilian authorities
have made it extremely difficult for non-Muslims to build new places
of worship. Moreover, the current governor of the province, Zaini
Abdullah, who was elected in 2012, promotes a declared program of
islamization of society." A human rights leader was reported as saying
that the laws that appear within Sharia districts "limit the freedom
of minorities to practice their faith and are not coherent with the
Indonesian Constitution."
Malaysia: An unidentified assailant hurled two petrol bombs at a shrine
fronting the Church of the Assumption. Only one bomb ignited, causing
minor damage to the structure. This came in the context of anger at
Christians using the word "Allah" to refer to the biblical God. "But
the incident," said Sky News, "stirred memories of a wave of such
attacks on places of worship--mostly churches--four years ago during
an earlier bout of divisions over the dispute in the Muslim-majority
country.... Conservative Muslims have raised pressure in recent weeks
for Malay-speaking Christians to stop using the word 'Allah.'"
Nigeria: On a Friday in the Muslim-majority north, gunmen suspected
of being members of the Islamic organization Boko Haram burned down
a church and the house of a National Assembly member. Separately, in
the midst of several Sunday morning raids by Muslim Fulani herdsmen,
at least fifteen Christians killed.
South Sudan: During clashes between rebel groups and the recently
formed government of South Sudan, Catholic and Protestant churches were
attacked, priests forced to flee for their lives, and the whereabouts
of a bishop who disappeared remain unknown. Some 600,000 people,
most of them Christian, have also fled their homes amid reports of
mass slaughters and ongoing attacks on churches.
Zanzibar: More than 100 Muslims stormed a church following an evening
worship service and beat the visiting preacher. According to a church
elder, "These rowdy Muslims were shouting and yelling, saying, 'We
are looking for the bishop of the church to slaughter him--we are
tired of the existence of this church near our mosque and the noise
they are making.'" The Islamic mob fled when police arrived--but not
before tearing the visiting pastor's coat and shirt, and causing
him to suffer multiple contusions requiring medication. According
to another church member, the "congregation has been living in fear
for their lives... At the moment we cannot worship freely because we
are being threatened. The Muslims are accusing us of making a lot of
noise while they themselves make a lot of noise."
Attacks on Christian Freedom: Apostasy, Blasphemy, Proselytism
Algeria: Ali Touahir, a 52-year-old Muslim convert to Christianity,
is paying the price for apostasy: his Muslim wife has left him, taking
their seven-year-old daughter, and is divorcing him in court. One of
his wife's brothers has openly threated to kill him. According to court
documents, the wife's lawyer wrote: "It is not possible that my client
[the Muslim wife] still remain under the same roof with a man who has
renounced his religion, as he became apostate; and we are not ignorant
of the punishment that is due an apostate under sharia [death]."
Israel: Christians were warned against "slandering" Allah. A large
billboard was posted in Nazareth featuring a picture of an Israeli stop
sign, along with Koran 4:171 which reads: "O people of the Scripture
[Christians]! Do not exceed the limits of your religion. Say nothing
but the truth about Allah (The One True God). The Christ Jesus, Son
of Mary, was only a Messenger of God and His word conveyed to Mary
and a spirit created by Him. So believe in God and His messengers
and do not say: 'Three gods (trinity).' Cease! It will be better for
you. Indeed, Allah is the One and the Only God. His Holiness is far
above having a son."
Kazakhstan: A court fined two Protestant Christians for possession
of Christian publications, which were defined as "extremist material."
According to a note sent to Agenzia Fides, a "tough system of religious
censorship imposed by the state" prevails in the nation.
Earlier, in October, 2013, Bibles and icons in a small shop were
seized by police and the owner indicted for the sale of religious
material without the permission of the state. Similarly, a 67-year-old
Christian Presbyterian Pastor has been under arrest since May 17,
2013, on charges of distributing "extremist material," that is,
leaflets on the Christian faith.
Lebanon: After blasphemy allegations saying that a decades-old library
owned by a Christian and church leader possessed "material deemed
insulting to Islam and Muhammad," the building was torched in an arson
attack; two-thirds of its 80,000 books and manuscripts were destroyed.
Malaysia: Christians using the word "Allah" for worship were
again attacked by Muslim groups. Similarly, the portrait of one
Fr. Andrew Lawrence, Director of the Catholic weekly Herald,
was burned, and threats to his life continue. Msg. Murphy Pakiam,
the region's Archbishop Emeritus, in a letter asked authorities to
"take the necessary measures to prevent further provocative acts of
intimidation against minorities," and concluded by saying "let us
not forget to pray for our enemies, who have misunderstood our faith."
Pakistan: Asia Bibi, a Catholic Christian wife and mother who has
been on death row for over four years without trial for allegedly
blaspheming Islam and/or its prophet Muhammad, sent a message to Pope
Francis saying that "only God will be able to free me.... I also hope
that every Christian has been able to celebrate the Christmas just past
with joy. Like many other prisoners, I also celebrated the birth of
the Lord in prison in Multan, here in Pakistan... I would have liked
to be in St. Peter's for Christmas to pray with you, but I trust in
God's plan for me and hopefully it will be achieved next year."
Dhimmitude and Murder
Bangladesh: Ovidio Marandy, a young Christian and brother of a
Catholic priest, was murdered. According to his brother and family,
"Muslim radicals wanted to punish the young man, a well-known figure
in the local Catholic community, because he had recently organised
a demonstration in his village against Islamist violence," and more
generally was speaking for Christian rights in the Muslim majority
nation. According to the local Christian priest, "We are shocked by
what happened. Christians have the right to vote. Why are Islamists
attacking us? We want peace."
Egypt: Yet another Coptic Christian child was kidnapped in Egypt.
Thirteen-year-old Cyril Rif'at Fayiz was abducted in the Minya district
by "unknown persons" who later called the child's parents demanding
one million Egyptian pounds, nearly the equivalent of $150,000 USD,
an exorbitant sum for Egyptian villagers.
Syria: Two Armenian families were compelled to convert to Islam at
the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and one
man, Minas, a young Armenian, was killed for refusing. According to
iNews, "Minas and his father were held in ISIL's prison for 115 days,
according to one activist, and his accusation was that he refused
to submit [to Islam, i.e., convert]." The same report mentions other
Christian Armenians killed, including one who reportedly had "his head
chopped off and placed in a biscuit box." Separately, another Christian
man, Fadi, was beheaded and his body stabbed with his own crucifix,
which exposed him as a Christian to "rebels" who had stopped his car.
Turkey: Protests against Christmas and New Year celebrations were
described as "unprecedented" by Al-Monitor. The campaign was led by the
Anatolian Youth Association (AYA), the youth branch of the pro-Islamic
Felicity Party. In one instance, members displayed posters in various
Istanbul neighborhoods that pictured a Muslim man punching Santa Claus
with the slogan "No to New Year's and Christmas celebrations." The
group also distributed flyers stating, "We are crying out that the
New Year's and Christmas celebrations held in our country are wrong
and constitute a blow dealt to our Muslim identity.
" On 26 December at Beyazit Square in Istanbul, the AYA stabbed
an inflatable Santa while chanting against Christmas and New Year
celebrations. One Christian bishop expressed concerns that the Santa
parody was "like a rehearsal" for attacks on real people: "A handful
of Christians are left in this country, and such incidents naturally
cause fear... The savage murders of missionaries took place in the
wake of similar hate campaigns."
About this Series
The persecution of Christians in the Islamic world is on its way
to reaching pandemic proportions. Accordingly, "Muslim Persecution
of Christians" was developed to collate some--by no means all--of
the instances of persecution that surface each month. It serves
two purposes:
1) To document that which the mainstream media does not: the habitual,
if not chronic, persecution of Christians.
2) To show that such persecution is not "random," but systematic and
interrelated--that it is rooted in a worldview inspired by Sharia.
Accordingly, whatever the anecdote of persecution, it typically
fits under a specific theme, including hatred for churches and other
Christian symbols; sexual abuse of Christian women; forced conversions
to Islam; apostasy and blasphemy laws that criminalize and punish with
death those who "offend" Islam; theft and plunder in lieu of jizya
(financial tribute expected from non-Muslims); overall expectations
for Christians to behave like cowed dhimmis, or second-class,
"tolerated" citizens; and simple violence and murder. Sometimes it
is a combination.
Because these accounts of persecution span different ethnicities,
languages, and locales--from Morocco in the West, to India in
the East--it should be clear that one thing alone binds them:
Islam--whether the strict application of Islamic Sharia law, or the
supremacist culture born of it.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/2014/raymond-ibrahim/u-s-becomes-chief-enabler-of-christian-persecution/
From: A. Papazian