From ISIS-controlled regions in Syria’s northern city of Raqqa reports of Christians have emerged of them being given an ultimatum of converting to Islam, being killed or signing a ”˜dhimmi contract’.
The contract is an integral part of traditional Islamic sharia law dating back to medieval times and requiring non-Muslims, in this instance Christians, to pay protection money which only allows them to gather for worship in churches.
Under the dhimmi contract, public expressions of Christian faith are not allowed. These prohibitions include: Christian wedding and funeral processions; ringing of church bells; praying in public and scripture being read out loud for Muslims to hear; Christian symbols, like crosses, cannot be displayed openly; churches and monasteries cannot be repaired or restored irrespective if damage was collateral or intentional; and Christians are also not allowed to make offensive remarks about Muslims or Islam.
The dhimmi contract also enforces an Islamic dress code, like the veiling for women, and commercial and dietary regulations, including a ban on alcohol.
According to Open Doors, about 20 Christian leaders have signed to contract in Syria. If they keep these rules and live as dhimmis, they will be protected. If not, they will be ”˜put to the sword’.
“Under the dhimmi contract, public expressions of Christian faith are not allowed. These prohibitions include: Christian wedding and funeral processions; ringing of church bells; praying in public and scripture being read out loud for Muslims to hear; Christian symbols, like crosses, cannot be displayed openly; churches and monasteries cannot be repaired or restored irrespective if damage was collateral or intentional; and Christians are also not allowed to make offensive remarks about Muslims or Islam.”
Pretty much what the secularists and athiests want in this country.
A few prayers for Iraq may be found [url=http://anglicanprayer.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/collection-of-prayers-for-iraq/]here[/url].
Where, one wonders, is the outrage in the Muslim community in the West at the terrible and indeed revolting things done in the name of Islam? We do not read their newspapers or attend their mosques, so perhaps there is more protest than we realise. But somehow I doubt it. I have occasionally looked at the websites of Muslim organisations and found very little indignation reflected there – or it will be indignation directed against eg the UK government for recent statements regarding Muslims and schools, for example.