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Among the clearest evidence of the incompatibility of the Sharia with norms of human rights is its denial of freedom of conscience, and death penalty for those who leave Islam. Here is another story showing that that penalty is by no means a thing of the past. It will be interesting to see what happens to Abd al-Salam in a country where there are many who want to see Sharia rule implemented. From AsiaNews, with thanks to Emergency Room:
Zakho (AsiaNews/MEC) – A Christian convert from Islam was killed for his faith. Ziwar Muhammad Isma’il, who worked as a taxi driver in Zakho in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, was shot dead by Abd al-Karim Abd al-Salam at a taxi station early on the morning of February 17.Abd al-Salam approached Ziwar and told him to return to Islam. When Ziwar refused he opened fire with an automatic rifle.
Abd al-Salam fled but was chased by other taxi drivers who, after apprehending him, turned him over to the police.
Abd al-Salam claims that the prophet Muhammad appeared to him in a dream and told him to kill the Christian.
Ziwar, who converted to Christianity seven years ago, leaves a widow and five children. He had been quite open about his faith even though he had been threatened by his relatives and other Muslims. He had been arrested twice but never charged.
Posted by Robert at February 20, 2005 6:58 AM
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There is one piece of good news in this piece of obscene news, and it is that the martyr's colleagues hunted down the murderer and turned him over to the police, even though he was carrying a rifle. I imagine that they were Muslim, at least it is unlikely that they should all be Christian.
Posted by: Paolo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 20, 2005 8:52 AM
"Abd al-Salam claims that the prophet Muhammad appeared to him in a dream and told him to kill the Christian."
Strange how different an effect Mohamed and Jesus have on people to whom they reveal themselves to.... Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and forgive them.... Mohamed tells his followers to kill innocent men. I guess that is the difference between the son of god and a rapist/killer/pedophile/plagiarizer eh?
Posted by: Sheik Canuck (swt) at February 20, 2005 10:59 AM
Sheikh Canuck: Actually, I've heard of weirdos who have claimed that "dreams" told them to kill in the name of Christ. As a fundamentalist Christian, I'll settle for book, chapter, and verse read in context, thank you; not the dreams and visions of those puffed up by fleshly minds.
I also second Paolo's sentiments. There seems to be a kind of disenchantment with Islam among a number of Kurdish people. Pro-independence Kurds in Iraq are saying that Israel's better than the Arabs, and that ex-Iraqi Jews should be wlecome in a future Kurdistan. I hope the same will go for the ancient Christian communities scattered in the region, too. I pray that God will awaken them to discover that the Gospel of the true Messiah is an open door, and not a club over their heads.
Posted by: Kepha at February 20, 2005 6:46 PM
Kepha
I agree with you completely, one should always be careful when deciphering dreams of any caliber. I guess I was just trying to make a point, however badly.
It would be interesting to see what would happen if Christians (and every other religion) were allowed to work openly in all these Muslim countries. Constant exposure to other religions and cultures might possibly bring them around. One can only hope.
Posted by: Sheik Canuck (swt) at February 21, 2005 8:30 AM
"Among the clearest evidence of the incompatibility of the Sharia with norms of human rights is its denial of freedom of conscience, and death penalty for those who leave Islam."
Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Part III, Article 6
1. Every human being has the inherent right to life.
Part III, Article 9
1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
Part III, Article 18
1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.
2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.
at February 21, 2005 11:34 AM
What a shame, poor man, rest in peace with Christ
Posted by: Franze at February 21, 2005 2:25 PM
He is clearly a martyr, so you do not even have to pray for him. One of the Church's classic standards for canonization is "heroic virtue till martyrdom", so this man, who refused to abandon Christ in the face of a loaded rifle, is, if our faith is correct, with Christ now. If you are a Catholic, I would suggest to pray TO him, as a proven saint.
"Ziwar Mohammad Ismail, saint and martyr, pray for us."
Posted by: Paolo at February 21, 2005 5:03 PM
Paolo I am agree , he´s a martyr
Posted by: Franze at February 22, 2005 6:42 AM
The whole concept of religious conversion by force doesn't make sense to me. It suggests that nothing in the inner man is needed, just an outward compliance to some code. It doesn't sound like a religious experience at all but rather spiritual rape.
f.g.
D.T.O.M.
Posted by: f.g. at February 22, 2005 1:11 PM
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