Classic Islamic law stipulates that Christians may live in peace in Islamic societies as long as they accept second-class status as dhimmis, which involves living within certain limits: not holding authority over Muslims, paying the jizya tax, not building new churches or repairing old ones, and…not insulting Allah or Muhammad. If they believe that a Christian has insulted them in some way, even inadvertently, his contract of protection — dhimma — is voided.
And now Musharraf is using Pope Rage to call for the UN to compel non-Muslims to submit to Muslim standards and restrictions on their speech, thought, and behavior.
“Pakistan calls for ban on ‘defamation of Islam’ in veiled attack on pope,” from AFP, with thanks to Warren:
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf called for a ban on the “defamation of Islam” in a speech to the UN General Assembly in which he took a veiled swipe at Pope Benedict XVI for his remarks linking the Muslim faith to violence.
“We also need to bridge, through dialogue and understanding, the growing divide between the Islamic and Western worlds,” Musharraf told the 192-member assembly. “It is imperative to end racial and religious discrimination against Muslims and to prohibit the defamation of Islam.”
And in an indirect reference to Pope Benedict XVI, he added: “It is most disappointing to see personalities of high standing oblivious of Muslim sensitivities at these critical moments.”