Working to promote freedom of conscience for every person, no matter who they are or where they live.

Muslims of France Made a Difference

On Tuesday, September 9, 2014 The Muslim Council of France (CFCM) made a difference in standing publicly for persecuted Christians by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. They issued a joint statement with a Christian group. They also asked mosques across the country to pray for them on the following Friday.

Dalil Boubakeur, Rector of Paris’ principle mosque, said it was crucial to support Christians against barbarity. He added: “We are all, no matter our religion, Christians of Middle East.” 

I have heard so many times that Muslims in the Western world have been very slow to react to the persecutions of Christians in several Muslim countries and very fast to denounce the discrimination Muslims have faced in Europe and America.  But even if there are cases of discrimination of Muslims in western countries, none of them reach the level of persecution Christians endure in countries where Sharia law has been imposed.

For many observers it seemed that such violations of religious freedom and human rights did not evoke strong sympathetic official reactions from Muslim leaders who enjoyed a relatively good level of religious freedom in non-Muslim countries. Instead we got the constant reaffirmation that the true Islam is a religion of peace and love.  I very often say we should not confuse a religion with the way people use it or understand it. The Gospel does not encourage violence, discrimination or persecution. Christians are exhorted to love those who persecute them. But this message of non-violence and respect for others convictions has been, for centuries, forgotten by so many Christians.

To say that Islam is a religion of intolerance and violence because a number of Muslims are not tolerant and use violence is not correct.  There are intolerant and fanatic members in every religion that act contrary to its very message. This is why it is so important to have the courage to defend those who are persecuted or discriminated against. 

I have read that the Dalai Lama was upset when Buddhists in Myanmar persecuted and killed Muslims. He could not imagine Buddha calling his disciples to burn places of worships and to kill believers of other religions. I can not imagine Jesus, who was accused of blasphemy then crucified, blessing the massacre of heretics, dissidents, non-Christians and non-believers. This is why it is so important for believers to say:  "No! What is being done in the name of my religion is not right."

The Muslims Council of France did it. They expressed their solidarity with Christians persecuted in Iraq and Syria. They also encouraged all Muslims to do the same. Is it enough? Probably not, but it is a strong message in the right direction. 

-- Dr. John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association
The Daily Star, Lebanon, September 9, 2014 

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