by Leila Gilbert, Weekly Standard
First the Saturday People, then the Sunday People. Such graffiti can sometimes be found in Muslim neighborhoods in the Middle East. The “Saturday People” are, of course, Jews, today nearly gone from Muslim lands. Now the Sunday people”—Christians— are in the crosshairs, and they, too, are fleeing at an alarming rate. Both religions are unwelcome in many Muslim-majority lands for reasons of Islamist ideology—the declaration of jihad, or holy war, against infidels.
Recent terrorist attacks against Christians in Iraq have spotlighted their desperate circumstances in the Middle East, characterized by threats of terror and bloodshed, and culminating in a silent exodus from their ancient homelands—an exodus that mirrors that of the Jews half a century before. Murders, rapes, beatings, extortions, the burning and desecration of houses of worship and mob violence are abuses are all too familiar to surviving Jews who remember their own perilous journeys. Meanwhile, global anti-Christian violence calls into question the conclusions reached at the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops which took place in Vatican City last month.
First the Saturday People, then the Sunday People. Such graffiti can sometimes be found in Muslim neighborhoods in the Middle East. The “Saturday People” are, of course, Jews, today nearly gone from Muslim lands. Now the Sunday people”—Christians— are in the crosshairs, and they, too, are fleeing at an alarming rate. Both religions are unwelcome in many Muslim-majority lands for reasons of Islamist ideology—the declaration of jihad, or holy war, against infidels.
Recent terrorist attacks against Christians in Iraq have spotlighted their desperate circumstances in the Middle East, characterized by threats of terror and bloodshed, and culminating in a silent exodus from their ancient homelands—an exodus that mirrors that of the Jews half a century before. Murders, rapes, beatings, extortions, the burning and desecration of houses of worship and mob violence are abuses are all too familiar to surviving Jews who remember their own perilous journeys. Meanwhile, global anti-Christian violence calls into question the conclusions reached at the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops which took place in Vatican City last month.
Asia Bibi’s case is reportedly the first conviction and death sentencing of a woman in Pakistan, under laws that declare blasphemy against Islam, the Koran or the Prophet Mohammed a capital crime. Nearly 30 people, at least a fourth of them Christians, have died because of blasphemy accusations since the laws went into effect in 1980. And vigilantes often take action while the state turns a blind eye. In July 2010, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that two Christian brothers accused of writing a blasphemous pamphlet critical of the Prophet Muhammad were shot dead outside a court in Punjab.
In 2010, Christians have been killed for their faith by Muslim terrorists in Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Philippines and Bangladesh. The threats against Christians in these countries continue to multiply. Al Shabab in Somalia, for example, has threatened to kill every Christian in the country. The number of Christians fleeing these nations and other Muslim lands is impossible to calculate. Many if not most such refugees leave in secret to protect their families and co-believers. Christians continue to flee from the Palestinian territories, where persecution persists, and the proximity to Israel leads to accusations of collaboration with “Zionists,” particularly in Hamas-controlled Gaza.
In fact, the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is increasing is Israel.
The Catholic Bishops’ focus on Israel, rather than on radical Islam, as the root cause of abuses against Christians is both disingenuous and counterproductive. Without a clear and honest analysis that addresses radical Islam, there can be no effective policy enabling besieged Christians to live in peace and safety in their historic homelands.
Lela Gilbert is an Adjunct Fellow at the Hudson Institute and has authored and co-authored numerous books, including the award-winning Blind Spot: When Journalists Don’t Get Religion (Oxford University Press, 2008).
As a Messianic I have come to an understanding that the attack on ‘Israel’ by two hundred million troops in the Valley Jehoshaphat is aimed solely for the eradication of all Sabbath-keepers,that being the Jews and True Christians, not just at Israel; not just Christians!!! The Sabbath has been hated by the satan since YHWH has Sanctified it and has been trying to devalue and destroy it since. Traditional christians that obey the Sunday law are favoured by the world at large, Rome is the introducer and enforcer of Sunday laws, soon to be implemented and enforced in Europe first than around the globe. Rome is also the inventor of islam and mohammet was taught by the Rome’s Jesuits for the sole purpose of taking Yirushalayim. YHWH has but a “Little Flock”, a small remnant, a hidden and special treasure to Himself who love nothing other than YHWH and are willing to give their lives for His Holy Name. They will soon be given their marching orders and go into the wilderness to hide from the soon coming of antichrist. It will be soon; where not just the arab countries from which Jews and True Christians will be expelled, but from the entire world, they will send their dogs to hunt the True Christians down for execution.
KII