Christians in the Middle East
Christians are suffering in the world to an extent that has not been seen since the early centuries and most especially in the Middle East. However the Muslim population is also suffering to a far greater numerical extent. A recent helpful statement was made by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, who is the Imam at the Islamic Centre in Blanchardstown when he said “those who persecute Christians are ignorant about the teachings of Islam”. The Imam is an Islamic scholar who has lived in Ireland for the past 15 years. He represents the Muslim community of Ireland in various governmental and non-governmental bodies. Although he is a Sunni Muslim scholar he has attended many Shia Muslim gatherings. He frequently speaks against Muslim extremism.
He points to the Charter of Privileges granted by Muhammad in AD 628 to the monks of St Catherine’s monastery in Sinai, which the Prophet describes as “a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far”. It calls on his followers “to defend the monks because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No expulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it or to carry anything from it to the Muslim houses”. The Charter also says that “Christian churches are to be respected” and that “no one is to disobey the Charter”.
These aspects are not always highlighted and point to the need for ongoing interfaith meetings and gatherings.
