CHRISTIANS: On the Front Lines of Muslim Violence

[Valin]

H/T Nava135

[Geee]

A Christian Pogrom in Egypt

 

The attacks on Egypt’s Coptic Christians and their churches that began in July on the heels of the popular June 30 Revolution — which saw the ousting of President Morsi and prompted the Muslim Brotherhood to scapegoat and incite violence against the Copts — became even more brutal in mid-August after security forces cleared out Brotherhood “sit in” camps, where people were being tortured, raped, and murdered. Among other things, over 80 Christian churches were attacked and often torched. (Click here for a brief video of one of these many churches set aflame.)

 

 

Upper Egypt, especially Minya, which has a large Christian minority, was hit especially hard, with at least 20 attacks on churches, Christian schools and orphanages. “The Islamists,” one resident said, “burnt and destroyed everything. Their goal was to erase all the traces of a Christian presence; even the orphanages were looted and destroyed.” After storming the Prince Tadros el-Shatbi Church, Morsi supporters turned their attention to two homes for disadvantaged children located near the parish church; there, they stole church offerings, clothes, and children’s games before torching the entire building in a fire that lasted over five hours.

http://frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/a-christian-pogrom-in-egypt-2/

[Geee]

BBC MINIMIZES CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

 

While it is no secret that the so-called mainstream media habitually fails to report on the international phenomenon of Christian persecution, few are aware that they sometimes actively work to undermine the efforts of those who do expose it.

 

Consider a new report by the BBC titled “Are there really 100,000 new Christian martyrs every year?” by Ruth Alexander, who asks:

 

So how widespread is anti-Christian violence?

 

“Credible research has reached the shocking conclusion that every year an estimate of more than 100,000 Christians are killed because of some relation to their faith,” Vatican spokesman Archbishop Silvano Maria Tomasi announced in a radio address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in May.

 

http://www.humanevents.com/2013/11/14/bbc-minimizes-christian-persecution/

[Geee]

UK MINISTER: VIOLENCE THREATENS CHRISTIANITY WITH EXTINCTION IN AREAS

 

(AFP) Christians are being driven out of some of the religion's historic heartlands through discrimination and violence, a British government minister warned on Friday.

Sayeeda Warsi, the first Muslim woman to hold cabinet office in Britain, said religious persecution of all faiths "has become a global crisis."

In an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, she noted recent attacks on churches and their congregations in Pakistan and Egypt.

"Christian populations are plummeting and the religion is being driven out of some of its historic heartlands," wrote Warsi, whose family is originally from Pakistan.

"There is even talk of Christianity becoming extinct in places where it has existed for generations—where the faith was born."

 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/11/14/Christianity-threatened-with-extinction-in-areas--UK-minister

[Valin]

Patriarchs of Eastern churches warn against systematic ‘expulsion’ of Arab Christians

11/19/13

 

ROME – Pope Francis is meeting with the patriarchs of the Eastern churches to discuss the future of Christians in the Middle East, the Catholic Church's role in Arab countries, its relations with the Orthodox Church and the problems of stability in the region.

 

Gregory Laham, the Syrian patriarch of the Melkite Greek Catholic church has called on his fellow Christians to stay in Syria, despite the brutal conflict raging in the country.

"I say to my children, stay in your country, the future will be difficult, but it will be better, God willing," he said in an interview.

The patriarch, who is headed to the Vatican, also urged European countries to not "encourage Syrian Christians to emigrate."

 

(Snip)

 

 

Maronite Patriarch Card Beshara al-Rai, Chaldean Patriarch and Archbishop of Baghdad Raphael Louis Sako, Melkite Patriarch of Antioch Gregory Laham, Syrian Catholic Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan, and Armenian Catholic Patriarch Nerses Bedros XIX are expected at the three-day meeting that will focus on the Eastern churches in the 50 years since Vatican II.

 

Led by Card Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Pontifical Council of the Eastern Churches, the conference comes at a critical moment for Christians in the Middle East, whose communities are under constant attacks from Islamic extremists, especially in Syria.

 

Vatican sources noted that the meeting will mark a change of direction in Vatican policy towards the Middle East. The final statement is expected to reflect the fears of Christians in the region.

 

(Snip)

[Valin]

Central African Republic on Genocide Watch?

11/19/13

 

Violence between Muslims and Christians is spiraling out of control in the Central African Republic. Since a rebel alliance called Seleka overthrew the regime of François Bozizé, himself a dubious former Army officer who led a rebellion in 2003, in March, gangs of former Seleka fighters have rampaged through many villages, killing and terrorizing civilians.

 

In response, local defense groups emerged and fought back against the mostly Muslim Seleka thugs. Ban Ki-moon told the UNSC that the situation in CAR threatens to degenerate into a countrywide religious and ethnic divide, with the potential to spiral into an uncontrollable situation.

 

The BBC has more:

 

 

Armed gangs, mainly former Seleka rebels, who are mostly Muslim, now control most of the landlocked country.

 

Mr Ban said escalating rebel attacks and retaliation by Christian militia groups have created a deep suspicion between Christians and Muslims in some areas of the country.

(Snip)

[Geee]

‘Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored

 

The worst Christian massacre—complete with mass graves, tortured-to-death women and children, and destroyed churches—recently took place in Syria, at the hands of the U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”; and the U.S. government and its “mainstream media” mouthpiece are, as usual, silent (that is, when not actively trying to minimize matters).

 

The massacre took place in Sadad, an ancient Syriac Orthodox Christian habitation, so old as to be mentioned in the Old Testament. Most of the region’s inhabitants are poor, as Sadad is situated in the remote desert between Homs and Damascus (desert regions, till now, apparently the only places Syria’s Christians could feel secure; 600 Christian families had earlier fled there for sanctuary from the jihad, only to be followed by it).

 

 

In late October, the U.S-supported “opposition” invaded and occupied Sadad for over a week, till ousted by the nation’s military. Among other atrocities, 45 Christians—including women and children—were killed, several tortured to death; Sadat’s 14 churches, some ancient, were ransacked and destroyed; the bodies of six people from one family, ranging from ages 16 to 90, were found at the bottom of a well (an increasingly common fate for “subhuman” Christians).@

 

http://frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/largest-massacre-of-christians-in-syria-ignored/

[Geee]

Pope Francis: ‘We Won’t Resign Ourselves to a Middle East Without Christians’

 

(CNSNews.com) – Pope Francis expressed new concern Thursday for the situation faced by “Christians who suffer in a particularly severe way the consequences of tensions and conflicts in many parts of the Middle East.”

“Syria, Iraq, Egypt and other areas of the Holy Land sometimes overflow with tears,” he told a gathering at the Vatican of leaders from Eastern rite churches that have links with the Roman Catholic Church.

“We won’t resign ourselves to a Middle East without Christians who for two thousand years confess the name of Jesus, as full citizens in social, cultural and religious life of the nations to which they belong,” he said.

The pope appealed for “everyone’s right to a dignified life and to freely profess their faith [to] be respected.”

He also said he would “not rest as long as there are men and women, of any religion, affected in their dignity, deprived of life’s basic necessities, robbed of a future, forced to the status of refugees and asylum-seekers.”

 

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/pope-francis-we-won-t-resign-ourselves-middle-east-without

[Valin]

‘Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored

U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”?

[Geee]

 

‘Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored

U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”?

 

 

Wouldn't shock me.

[Valin]

 

 

‘Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored

U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”?

 

Wouldn't shock me.

 

To say the situation in Syria is complacated is a world class understatement.

Not all the rebels are Jihadis.

[Draggingtree]

Syrian Rebels overtake Christian refuge, murder 45 men women and children

John | November 24, 2013

In October, factions of the Free Syrian Army invaded the ancient Syriac Orthodox habitation of Sadad. The area is so ancient that its mentioned in the Old Testament. Before they were ousted by the Syrian military, they ransacked 19 churches and murdered 45 men, women, and children. They video taped the bodies while yelling […] http://tavernkeepers.com/syrian-rebels-overtake-christian-refuge-murder-45-men-women-and-children/

[Draggingtree]

Largest Massacre of Christians in Syria’ Ignored

 

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Raymond Ibrahim

 

The worst Christian massacre—complete with mass graves, tortured-to-death women and children, and destroyed churches—recently took place in Syria, at the hands of the U.S.-supported jihadi “rebels”; and the U.S. government and its “mainstream media” mouthpiece are, as usual, silent (that is, when not actively trying to minimize matters).

 

Images of three of the six family members tortured and thrown in a well by U.S.-supported Islamic terrorists.

 

The massacre took place in Sadad, an ancient Syriac Orthodox Christian habitation, so old as to be mentioned in the Old Testament. Most of the region’s inhabitants are poor, as Sadad is situated in the remote desert between Homs and Damascus (desert regions, till now, apparently the only places Syria’s Christians could feel secure; 600 Christian families had earlier fled there for sanctuary from the jihad, only to be followed by it).

 

In late October, the U.S-supported “opposition” invaded and occupied Sadad for over a week, till ousted by the nation’s military. Among other atrocities, 45 Christians—including women and children—were killed, several tortured to death; Sadat’s 14 churches, some ancient, were ransacked and destroyed; the bodies of six people from one family, ranging from ages 16 to 90, were found at the bottom of a well (an increasingly common fate for “subhuman” Christians).

http://dcclothesline.com/2013/11/26/largest-massacre-christians-syria-ignored/#more-21423

[Geee]

Christians Flee Marauding Muslims in Africa’s ‘Forgotten Crisis’

 

CNSNews.com) - The Central African Republic (CAR) is “descending into complete chaos,” becoming a breeding ground for extremists and threatening to sink into religious and ethnic conflict that could spread through an already troubled region, the U.N. Security Council was told on Monday.

Tens of thousands of Christians who have fled violent attack by Muslim rebels are sheltering at a Catholic mission in a town called Bossangoa, about 250 miles north of the capital, Bangui. Last week, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned that the country was “on the verge of genocide.”

CAR is a mostly Christian and animist country, a little smaller than Texas, with a long history of instability. The U.N. says virtually the entire population of 4.6 million is affected by the current crisis, which erupted almost a year ago when an Islamic rebel alliance called Seleka began launching attacks.

Last March, Seleka overthrew President Francois Bozize, a Christian former army chief who had himself toppled an elected president in 2003, the latest in a series of coups since independence from France in 1960. The rebel coalition installed its leader, Michel Djotodia – a Soviet-educated Muslim civil servant – as president.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/christians-flee-marauding-muslims-africa-s-forgotten-crisis

[Geee]

ISLAMISTS SLAUGHTER 71 CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA THROUGH NOVEMBER

 

On Tuesday, Fulani herdsmen invaded a Christian village and killed 37 people, injured more, and destroyed homes in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau state in central Nigeria. The attack came after terrorist group Boko Haram already murdered over 34 Christians earlier this month in Borno state.

In attacks on the four predominantly Christian villages that started at 1 a.m. in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area in Plateau State in central Nigeria, ethnic Fulani herdsmen killed 37 people, injured many others and destroyed homes, the military’s Special Task Force spokesman, Salisu Mustapha, said in a press statement.

Media outlets report cattle theft and land as the reason for the attacks, but Christians are a prominent target in Nigeria. The terrorist group Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden," wants to establish an Islamic state and demolish Christianity. People believe groups like Boko Haram are backing the Muslim Fulani herdsmen to help them in their cause.

On November 3, Boko Haram attacked the Ngoshe village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and killed eight Christians:

“They burned 11 houses owned by the Christians and three churches, which were the EYN [brethren] church, Deeper Life Bible church and the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” the statement read. “We were informed that when the Christian community sought to meet the state governor on this issue, he said he has no time to see them until February next year.”

 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/11/28/Radical-Muslims-Slaughter-71-Christians-in-November-in-Nigeria

[Draggingtree]

Islamists Kidnap Nuns

By Rod Dreher • December 3, 2013, 10:18 AM

 

Lord have mercy:

 

Islamist rebels have kidnapped a group of nuns from the Greek Orthodox monastery of St Thecla (Mar Taqla) in Maaloula (north of Damascus). Mgr Mario Zenari, the Vatican nuncio in Damascus, confirmed the information after speaking with the Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate. Through the Vatican diplomat, the latter “calls on all Catholics to pray for the women religious.”

 

“Armed men burst in the monastery of St Thecla in Maaloula this afternoon. From there, they forcibly took 12 women religious,” Mgr Zenari said, citing a statement from Patriarchate. The group of Islamist rebels has apparently taken them to Yabrud, some 80 km north of the capital. Neither the nuncio nor the church Greek Orthodox Church know reason behind the kidnapping http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/islamists-kidnap-nuns/

[Geee]

A Month of Horror for Christians under Islam

 

The same month that Obama tried to wage war on behalf of the jihadi rebels in Syria (citing “human rights” concerns), some of the war’s worst atrocities were committed against that nation’s Christian minority, most notably in Ma‘loula, an ancient Christian region where the inhabitants still spoke the language of Jesus.

 

 

There, among other things, the al-Qaeda-linked jihadis fired mortars and missiles onto at least two ancient churches before looting them; some 80 Christians trying to defend their homes were killed. Others who could not flee were forced on pain of death to convert to Islam.

 

One man’s last words before being slaughtered by the rebels were: “I am a Christian, and if you want to kill me for this, I do not object to it.” A nun involved with humanitarian relief said the man “Is a Martyr in Christ in the full sense of this word, since he was murdered solely because of religious hatred!”

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/a-month-of-horror-for-christians-under-islam/

[Valin]

For Gregory III, Syria's Greek-Catholic Church has three "true martyrs"

The patriarch spoke to the pope about the tragic events in Maaloula, the Syrian Christian village where people still speak Aramaic. In a climate of terror, three men were told to repudiate their faith, and when they refused, they were publicly executed

Fady Noun

12/3/13

 

Beirut (AsiaNews) - The Syrian Greek-Catholic Church has three "true martyrs". They are the "three men from Maaloula who refused to repudiate their faith," and were killed for this reason, said Patriarch Gregory III Laham during his meeting with Pope Francis on Sunday, this according to a press release issued by the Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, of Alexandria and Jerusalem of the Melkites.

 

The events that led to the three men's death occurred during fighting on 3 -7 September in the town of Maaloula.

 

According to eyewitness accounts, men from the Syrian Free Army and the Jabhat al-Nusra Islamic Front carried out a coordinated attack in order to take control of Maaloula.

 

(Snip)

[Geee]

Obama calls for calm in Central African Republic

 

President Obama on Monday urged the citizens of the Central African Republic to “choose a different path” amid the latest round of sectarian violence gripping the nation.

 

“We know from the bitter experience of other countries what happens when societies descend into violence and retribution,” Obama said in an audio message taped as Air Force One refueled in Dakar, Senegal. “Today, my message to you is simple: it doesn’t have to be this way.”

 

Fighting between Christians and Muslims has lead to more than 400 deaths over the past two days, according to the Associated Press.

Obama noted that religious leaders from both sides have called “for calm and peace.”

“Every citizen of the Central African Republic can show the courage that’s needed right now,” Obama said. “You can show your love for your country by rejecting the violence that would tear it apart. You can choose peace.”

 

http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/africa/192549-obama-calls-for-calm-in-central-african-republic

[Valin]

Obama calls for calm in Central African Republic

 

President Obama on Monday urged the citizens of the Central African Republic to “choose a different path” amid the latest round of sectarian violence gripping the nation.

 

“We know from the bitter experience of other countries what happens when societies descend into violence and retribution,” Obama said in an audio message taped as Air Force One refueled in Dakar, Senegal. “Today, my message to you is simple: it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Blah...Blah...Blah...Blah.

[Valin]

On A Related Note

 

Al Qaeda official says force needed to establish sharia law in Egypt

BDavid Barnett

December 10, 2013

 

In a message released by al Qaeda's As Sahab on Dec. 7, Muhammad bin Mahmoud Rabie al Bahtiyti, an al Qaeda official, said the group is following current events in Egypt, even though it is "away from them."

 

"[W]e would have liked to be among them [Egyptian Muslims], helping them and supporting them, and blocking off the assaults of the oppressors and the tyrants," al Bahtiyti said, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group. "Even though we are away from them - and that is imposed on us - this does not prevent us from addressing them and their plight and doing out duty towards them."

 

 

With regard to the ongoing crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters, al Bahtiyti argued that a peaceful approach will not do anything of importance. "Anyone who calls to resist falsehood with peacefulness is swimming in a sea of illusions, and perhaps in a sea of blood, in vain," he declared.

 

 

 

(Snip)

[Geee]

Syria: Cleric Incites Children to ‘Slaughter’ Christians

 

A video recently appeared of an Islamic Sunni cleric in Syria inciting Muslim schoolboys, most of whom appear to be between the ages of five-twelve, to hate and kill Christians and others.

 

According to a report in Arabic (scroll down for video), among other things, the sheikh calls on the children to “slaughter all Christians for being infidels” and that he boasted that “the Christians of Syria are under continuous attack and their churches and monasteries subject to violence.”

 

 

In the video, the sheikh first talks of Islam’s egalitarianism—that it does not consider the race, nationality, or language of people, only whether they have submitted to Islam by becoming Muslims or not—adding, “because the entire world is for Allah.”

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/syria-cleric-incites-children-to-slaughter-christians/

[Geee]

Three American Teachers Slaughtered for Christian Faith

 

Why was Ronald Thomas Smith II, an American teaching at Benghazi’s International School, shot to death last Thursday in Libya, even as he “was looking forward to his first Christmas in the United States with his wife and toddler son”?

 

 

Most Western media and analysts dismiss the killing as a random act of violence incited by a recent al-Qaeda video.

 

However, by connecting the dots and looking at precedence, it appears that Smith’s Christianity, specifically his talking about it among Muslims, was the motive behind the slaying.

 

First consider two facts gleaned from the AP report, “American killed in Benghazi remembered as ‘much loved teacher’”: 1) Smith once had plans to attend seminary, a place devoted to preparing Christians to share the Gospel—a crime according to Islamic law (recall the Coptic Christians tortured and killed on the accusation that they were proselytizing in Libya); 2) according to his home church in Texas, “Ronnie’s [smith’s] greatest desire was for peace and prosperity in Libya and for the people of Libya to have the joy of knowing God through Christ” (emphasis added).

 

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/three-american-teachers-slaughtered-for-christian-faith/

[Geee]

Slaughter of Christian Women and Children in Muslim Lands

 

Two of the most tragic Islamic attacks on Christians, killing several women and children, took place in the month of October, one in Syria another in Egypt.

 

On October 21 in Syria, the U.S.-supported Islamic rebels invaded and occupied the ancient Christian settlement of Sadad for over a week, till ousted by the military. During that week, “the largest massacre of Christians in Syria,” in the words of Orthodox Archbishop Alnemeh, took place. Among other things, 45 Christians—including women and children—were killed, several tortured to death; mass graves were discovered; all of Sadad’s 14 churches, some ancient, were ransacked and destroyed; the bodies of six people from one family, ranging from ages 16 to 90, were found buried at the bottom of a well (an increasingly common fate for “subhuman” Christians).

 

http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/raymond-ibrahim/slaughter-of-christian-women-and-children-in-muslim-lands/

[Valin]

Prince Charles Speaks Out for Persecuted Christians

Judith Levy

 

Credit where it's due. Notorious goofball he may be, but Prince Charles hit the nail on the head this time.

 

At a Christmas reception for Middle East Christians at Clarence House yesterday, the prince made an impassioned statement on behalf of the persecuted in which he not only pleaded for the victims but named their persecutors:

 

(Snip)

 

http://youtu.be/Cpk22QTieT8