by Qasim Rashid
Mecca, we have a problem.
It is not America, nor Europe, and no, it is certainly not Israel.
Pictured: Egyptian Copts hold Christian crosses and chant slogans as they demonstrated on Oct. 4 against sectarian violence in downtown Cairo. (Khalil Hamra, AP)
The problem is Christian persecution. Some 14 centuries after the prophet Mohammed wrote, “Christians are my citizens, and by God, I hold out against anything that displeases them,” Christian persecution has become the norm in too many Muslim-majority nations.
A few days ago, 25 Christians were killed in Egypt after state television falsely accused them of creating violence — while they peacefully protested violence against their churches. Rather than fight for the rights of Christians, the Muslim mob attacked them. Yes, the Quran commands Muslims to protect churches from attack, but tell that to the state media that incited violence against their Christian minority. And though Islam requires equal rights and protection for minorities, be careful about saying that out loud — as the minority voice, you may be attacked.
Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, sits on death row in a putrid Pakistani prison — literally tortured for her alleged blasphemy of the prophet Mohammed. Yes, the Quran forbids punishment for blasphemy, but tell that to the Muslim clergy. And though Islam does not sanction any sort of priesthood, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with blasphemy.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian father of two, sits on death row, inhumanely incarcerated in Iran for his “crime” of converting to Christianity from Islam. Yes, the Quran forbids punishment for apostasy, but tell that to the Iranian government. And though Islam does not sanction the mixing of mosque and state, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with apostasy.
Earlier this week, a human rights group reported that a 12-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan was kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to “Islam,” and forcibly married to a Muslim before she escaped. When her parents went to the police, they were advised to “return the girl to her rightful husband.” Yes, the Quran protects the rights of women and children, condemns rape, forbids inheriting women (let alone children) against their will, and forbids compulsion in religion. And though Islam demands absolute justice in all affairs, be careful about saying that out loud — if you cannot be bribed in Pakistan, you might find yourself buried six feet under.
A Muslim problem demands a Muslim solution.
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Source: USA TODAY
Qasim Rashid is a national spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA. He can be reached at qasim.rashid@ahmadiyya.us or on Twitter @MuslimIQ.
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