Over at Gatestone Institute, via RaymondIbrahim.com, I continue with the latest from my monthly “Muslim persecution of Christians” series:
The endemic rise of Christian persecution in the Middle East was noted in November when Pope Francis declared “We will not resign ourselves to imagining a Middle East without Christians” and stressed the importance of “the universal right to lead a dignified life and freely practice one’s own faith” after he met with patriarchs from Syria, Iran, and Iraq, all countries where Christian minorities are under attack.
On the other hand, powers best placed to do something about the plight of Mideast Christians—namely, the U.S. Obama administration—made it clear that they would do nothing, even when well leveraged to do so.
In November, the wife of American pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran for over a year for practicing Christianity, said she and her family were devastated after learning that the Obama administration did not try to secure the release of her husband as part of the newly signed deal on Iran’s nuclear program.
“The talks over Iran’s nuclear program were seen by his [Abedini’s] family and those representing them as one of the most promising avenues yet for securing his release,” said Fox News. “But the White House confirmed over the weekend that Abedini’s status was not on the table during those talks.”
“I don’t think we have any more leverage,” said Abedini’s wife. “We now have to consider other avenues and having other countries speak out because our country when we could have used our leverage chose to stay silent.”
The rest of November’s roundup of Muslim persecution of Christians around the world includes (but is not limited to) the following accounts, listed by theme and country in alphabetical order, not necessarily according to severity:
Islamic Attacks on Christian Places of Worship
Lebanon: An unidentified attacker firebombed the reception area of the newly built Christian cathedral of the town’s patron Saint, Mar Zakhya. Despite the loud boom heard in the town’s main square, there was limited damage; some building material used for the building process of the cathedral was destroyed. Although Lebanon was Christian-majority in the mid-20th century, today it is roughly 60% Muslim, 40% Christian…Click for entire report
mortimer says
America sits on its hands, negotiates with Al Qaeda and the Taliban, two of the greatest persecutors of Christians, and the genocide and ethnic cleansing continues.
SILENCE ONLY HELPS THE PERPETRATORS, NEVER THE VICTIMS!
Hermit says
Have you guys heard of The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)? You should look at their website. These guys are a bunch of pathetic lefty clue less idiots.
PRCS says
Thanks for that link.
“USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world, that monitors the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.”
I just don’t know where they get the idea that such a right exists –anywhere.
Here, in America, that is true, for the most part. An obvious exception is those religious practices which conflict with our constitution and duly enacted laws ( the amputation of thieves’ hands, slavery, polygamy, etc., as examples).
Do they really think that “unbelievers” have a right to practice religions other than Islam in Saudi Arabia?
I can’t honestly say that they’re all clueless lefties, but some of them do need to do a little homework before speaking.
CogitoErgoSum says
Do not forget about Asia Bibi.
http://www.callformercy.com/
Tours732 says
Persecution of Christians by Muslims is rampant in many areas of the world but what does the BBC choose to report on? Answer: Christians making a stand and fighting back in Central African Republic.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26195583
The whole angst-ridden report was broadcast on the Ten O’clock News last night.
Dennis Trisker says
How can anyone be surprised at the US’s reaction to Christian persecution? Past governments, Democrat or Republican did little to ameliorate the condition of Hitler’s massacre of the Jews. Also the persecution of Iran’s second largest religion, the Baha’is. The Baha’is have been murdered, their civil rights denied, their schools closed, their marriages dissolved, their young people denied university entrance, their cemeteries and holy places desecrated, etc. The exodus of so many Baha’s from Iran to the west is because of this. The US remained aloof, even now does business with this country. Petroleum and other enriching possibilities for western businessmen com first before people. Armaments and nuclear warheads are for sale. There is no left or right, democrat, republican or tea party here. Muslim and Christian business men are making millions off of the situation,putting money before anything else. How can they sleep at night?
robert wagner says
Tiny Israel has taken in persecuted Jews from all over the Middle East and Africa, but America can look the other way only for Mexicans, and by inaction cause the slaughter of Christians. It doesn’t seem to be a christian way of doing things.
gravenimage says
U.S. “Chose to Stay Silent” on Muslim Persecution of Christians: November 2013
……………………………..
Yes, and it’s shameful. Whatever happened to “Never Again”?