It really is the case that Christians in predominantly Muslim countries are having a very torrid time in the face of murderous attacks from extremist among their Muslim compatriots.
We have seen this occurring repeatedly in Pakistan, in Iraq, Syria, Indonesia, and Egypt.
The latest reported attack against Egyptian Christians is said to have killed over 20 Egyptians and injured over 50.
For crying out loud, Christians in Egypt are Egyptians. They, like any other Egyptians, are required to do their civil duty and meet their obligations to their country.
By the same token, just as do Christians in Pakistan, for example, the have a right to expect their government and the authorities to protect them. Which is too often not the case.
Egypt is their home; there only home. It is their country as much as it is the country of Egyptian Muslims.
Just as how Pakistan is the home of the Christians who are being murdered and persecuted there.
In fact, with them having to suffer death and persecution, and live in a state of greater insecurity in their own country. It is a situation which confers greater moral courage on them.
Muslims are free to be Muslims in these countries - except where Sunnis persistently attack Shites - to practice their religion.
Now, I am aware that Christians have been at war with their fellow Christians, on religious and 'ethnic' grounds.
But we have not seen this occurring since Lebanon and Northern Ireland of old.
It is predominantly Muslim countries which have become the last battle ground for people murdering each other on purely religious grounds.
To be continued.
No comments:
Post a Comment