"Death or Taxes" in the Islamic State

[DrLeftover]

18 July

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Islamist insurgents have issued an ultimatum to northern Iraq's dwindling Christian population to either convert to Islam, pay a religious levy or face death, according to a statement distributed in the militant-controlled city of Mosul.

The statement issued by the Islamic State, the al Qaeda offshoot which led last month's lightning assault to capture swathes of north Iraq, and seen by Reuters, said the ruling would come into effect on Saturday.

It said Christians who wanted to remain in the "caliphate" that the Islamic State declared this month in parts of Iraq and Syria must agree to abide by terms of a "dhimma" contract - a historic practice under which non-Muslims were protected in Muslim lands in return for a special levy known as "jizya".

"We offer them three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract - involving payment of jizya; if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword," the announcement said.

http://news.yahoo.com/convert-pay-tax-die-islamic-state-warns-christians-181415698--business.html

 

[beowulf]

remind me again................this is the Religion of Peace?

 

[Bluezone777]

These Islamic people sound like the mafia to me and they even demand protection money in order to buy protection from them. I expect the reason they are so afraid of Christians is because those who truly know the Bible might start being able to convince others to abandon this foolishness known as Islam and embrace their Creator instead.

I really think the only real answer they want is either for them to leave or to have them killed. I imagine this levy will keep going up till it becomes too costly and to convert to Islam means to reject the faith and no true believer of Christ is going to do that.

They would make these demands elsewhere in the world if they had the numbers so the only reason why it's not going on everywhere is because they don't have the numbers to make such demands but when they do then watch out.

 

[DrLeftover]

In the West, we look at this from the perspective of the citizens having the Freedom to choose their own religion, or, no religion at all.

That is not the way it is under Sharia as it is usually practiced in the Theocratic states such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, some of the UAE, and so on.

Essentially:
"You have the freedom to be a Muslim, and we'll tell you which kind of Muslim you'll be, or else."

For example, Kuwait:

The constitution provides for religious freedom; however, other laws and policies restrict religious freedom. The constitution provides for “absolute freedom” of belief and for freedom of religious practice in accordance with established customs, provided that it does not conflict with public order or morals. The constitution states that Islam is the state religion.

The law prohibits the naturalization of non-Muslims but allows male Christian citizens to transmit citizenship to their descendents.

There are laws against blasphemy, apostasy, and proselytizing, and the government actively enforces them. The government financially supports Sunni Muslims who proselytize foreign residents.

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2012/nea/208398.htm

 

[DrLeftover]

And more:

Jul 23, 2014

BAGHDAD (REUTERS) - Islamic State militants claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an overnight suicide bombing in a Shi'ite district of Baghdad which killed 33 people, one of the deadliest recent attacks in the Iraqi capital.

The hardline Sunni Islamist group which has led an offensive through northern and western Iraq said the explosion in Kadhimiya, site of a major Sh'ite shrine, was carried out by a fighter it named as Abu Abdul-Rahman al-Tunisi (the Tunisian).

Officials initially put the death toll from the bomb at 23, but hospital and morgue officials said on Wednesday morning it had risen to 33, with more than 50 wounded.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a wave of bombings in Baghdad, including several blasts on Saturday which killed 27 people.

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/world/middle-east/story/islamic-state-says-carried-out-baghdad-suicide-bombing-20140723

 

[Evil Eye]

"We offer them three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract - involving payment of jizya; if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword," the announcement said.

http://news.yahoo.com/convert-pay-tax-die-islamic-state-warns-christians-181415698--business.html

I'm quite pleased about this actually. (Yes, I realise how that sounds...)
Instead of simply killing everyone they're actually doing what their religion tells them to do. I'll admit that it isn't that great a choice, but it's better than the alternative.

 

[Rebel]

Nothing new from these areas. At least Christians are given a choice this time. Usually they just get killed while going to church by some animal in an explosive vest. Still...it's sad how uncivilized and barbaric the Middle East remains when compared to civilized nations and modern times. :glare: