orangikan
09-14-2005, 12:20 PM
Recent posts re diversity and tolerance prompt me to offer the following information. I have culled greatly from the articles. Basically the Middle East discriminates and subjugates against Christians as well as Jews. Tolerance and diversity does not exist in much of the ME. Anti Semitism in the ME is not news, and has obvious progenitors, but here are some facts:
http://www.jimena.org/ http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/iraqijews.html
In 1948, nearly 900,000 Jews—indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa—lived in what are now known as the “Arab States.” Today, 99% of these ancient Jewish communities no longer exist in the lands where we lived for thousands of years. IRAQ: 1948 Jewish population: 150,000
2003: Approximately 100.
Christian persecution http://www.yahoodi.com/peace/christians.html
b. Persecution of ethno-religious groups, the Mideast Christians in particular, is conducted by legal governments (Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan) or by organizations (National Islamic Front in Sudan, Front Islamique de Salut, the Hizbollah of Lebanon, etc.)
• a) Religious persecution of individuals (human rights abuse): This persecution is conducted against individuals because of their religious affiliation. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, for examples, individuals are punished for displaying crosses, jailed for praying in public, and in some cases punished by death, for not complying with the religious tenants. In these countries, as well as in Egypt and Sudan, converts to Christianity are sentenced to death.
In Egypt, the large Coptic nation is systematically discriminated against on the constitutional, political, administrative, and cultural levels. Para-military fundamentalist groups are conducting pogroms against the Christians, which includes burning Churches and assassinating civilians.
A non-Muslim cannot give evidence in court. Any legal agreement between a Muslim and an "infidel" is only binding on the "unbeliever." Job opportunities are restricted: Muslim companies which are owned by oil-rich governments do not hire Christians. It is difficult for a Christian to establish his own business and even then he may be forced to hire Muslims instead of Copts or face destruction of his livelihood.
• Newly constructed apartments are rented only to Muslims. Christians who convert to Islam will be immediately granted an apartment, a lump sum of money and a job. Christians are everywhere harassed in a psychological struggle to force them to apostatize. Christians are not allowed to build new churches or repair old ones. Some who have attempted to convert other buildings to church use have been murdered or had their homes burned. No action is taken against the Muslims responsible. There is a Supreme Court ruling that a Moslem who apostatizes is legally dead. He loses all rights and powers. Any person who kills him does not commit murder from a legal point of view because he is already legally dead. The "dead" person cannot marry or inherit. More than one hundred and fifty Muslims who have adopted Christianity have been detained in maximum-security prisons. They have been accused of threatening national unity.
http://www.jimena.org/ http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/iraqijews.html
In 1948, nearly 900,000 Jews—indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa—lived in what are now known as the “Arab States.” Today, 99% of these ancient Jewish communities no longer exist in the lands where we lived for thousands of years. IRAQ: 1948 Jewish population: 150,000
2003: Approximately 100.
Christian persecution http://www.yahoodi.com/peace/christians.html
b. Persecution of ethno-religious groups, the Mideast Christians in particular, is conducted by legal governments (Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan) or by organizations (National Islamic Front in Sudan, Front Islamique de Salut, the Hizbollah of Lebanon, etc.)
• a) Religious persecution of individuals (human rights abuse): This persecution is conducted against individuals because of their religious affiliation. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, for examples, individuals are punished for displaying crosses, jailed for praying in public, and in some cases punished by death, for not complying with the religious tenants. In these countries, as well as in Egypt and Sudan, converts to Christianity are sentenced to death.
In Egypt, the large Coptic nation is systematically discriminated against on the constitutional, political, administrative, and cultural levels. Para-military fundamentalist groups are conducting pogroms against the Christians, which includes burning Churches and assassinating civilians.
A non-Muslim cannot give evidence in court. Any legal agreement between a Muslim and an "infidel" is only binding on the "unbeliever." Job opportunities are restricted: Muslim companies which are owned by oil-rich governments do not hire Christians. It is difficult for a Christian to establish his own business and even then he may be forced to hire Muslims instead of Copts or face destruction of his livelihood.
• Newly constructed apartments are rented only to Muslims. Christians who convert to Islam will be immediately granted an apartment, a lump sum of money and a job. Christians are everywhere harassed in a psychological struggle to force them to apostatize. Christians are not allowed to build new churches or repair old ones. Some who have attempted to convert other buildings to church use have been murdered or had their homes burned. No action is taken against the Muslims responsible. There is a Supreme Court ruling that a Moslem who apostatizes is legally dead. He loses all rights and powers. Any person who kills him does not commit murder from a legal point of view because he is already legally dead. The "dead" person cannot marry or inherit. More than one hundred and fifty Muslims who have adopted Christianity have been detained in maximum-security prisons. They have been accused of threatening national unity.