It could have been worse for these converts from Islam. The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law. It’s based on the Qur’an: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.” (Qur’an 4:89)
A hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.
This is still the position of all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, both Sunni and Shi’ite. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the most renowned and prominent Muslim cleric in the world, has stated: “The Muslim jurists are unanimous that apostates must be punished, yet they differ as to determining the kind of punishment to be inflicted upon them. The majority of them, including the four main schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) as well as the other four schools of jurisprudence (the four Shiite schools of Az-Zaidiyyah, Al-Ithna-‘ashriyyah, Al-Ja’fariyyah, and Az-Zaheriyyah) agree that apostates must be executed.”
Qaradawi also once famously said: “If they had gotten rid of the apostasy punishment, Islam wouldn’t exist today.”
“Iran’s regime arrests 8 Christians, sending them to solitary confinement,” by Benjamin Weinthal, Jerusalem Post, July 6, 2019:
Security officials from Iran’s Intelligence Ministry on July 1 raided the homes of eight Iranians who converted to Christianity in the southern city of Bushehr, carting them off to solitary confinement.
The arrest was first reported on Friday by Article 18, an organization that promotes religious freedom and supports Iran’s repressed Christians.
Article 18 wrote that intelligence agents “stormed the Christians’ homes in a coordinated operation at around 9 a.m., confiscating Bibles, Christian literature, wooden crosses and pictures carrying Christian symbols, along with laptops, phones, all forms of identity cards, bank cards and other personal belongings.”
Alireza Nader, the CEO of New Iran, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, told The Jerusalem Post on Friday that: “Reporting suggests that Christianity is on the rise in Iran, along with other non-Islamic religions. This is a threat to the Islamic republic, a regime based on a narrow and totalitarian view of Islam. As the regime faces more internal unrest, the more it’ll crack down on religious minorities it views as threatening its stranglehold on religion.”
The Article 18 report noted that: “Arresting agents also searched the work offices of at least two Christians and confiscated computer hard drives and security-camera recordings,” and “The officers are reported to have treated the Christians harshly, even though small children were present during the arrests.”
The human rights website wrote that the Iranian regime authorities have not allowed lawyers to gain access to the arrested Christians. The Christians are being held at an Intelligence Ministry site in the Persian Gulf port city of Bushehr.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in late June, after the US released its new report on religious freedom, that “In Iran, the regime’s crackdown on Baha’is, Christians and others continues to shock the conscience.”
The U.S. has designated the Islamic republic as a “Country of Concern” since 1999, because its regime violates religious freedom as defined by the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (1998). Article 18 said the names of the Iranian Christians who were imprisoned are: :Sam Khosravi, 36, and his wife Maryam Falahi, 35; Sam’s brother Sasan, 35, and his wife Marjan Falahi, 33; Sam and Sasan’s mother, Khatoon Fatolahzadeh, 61; Pooriya Peyma, 27, and his wife Fatemeh Talebi, 27; and Habib Heydari, 38.”…
Christianblood says
One should ask this question:
Why always Iran but not Pakistan, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=3HDkvc1ku5k
mortimer says
Why do you always defend Iran? Are you an agent? And Jihadwatch frequently runs stories from all the other Islamic countries that abuse non-Muslims of any religion. You are a monomaniac, are you not, Bloodthirstypseudochristian?
christianblood says
mortomeir
Jihadwatch does report on persecution of non-muslims in the Islamic countries
but Jihadwatch’s negative coverage of Iran is far from being proportional when it comes to other Islamic countries that practice even more savage sharee’a rules that Iran, countries like Saudi Arabia where public beheadings and crucifixions are routinely done every week!
BTW, how do you see Israeli minister’s recent statement that “…Jewish assimilation in US is ‘like a second Holocaust’…” and why jihadwatch is not reporting on this important statement? More of this below:
https://www.rt.com/news/463799-israeli-minister-diaspora-holocaust/
Angemon says
“Jihadwatch does report on persecution of non-muslims in the Islamic countries”
Ah, are you finally admitting that the Iranian regime does persecute Christians?
“but Jihadwatch’s negative coverage of Iran is far from being proportional”
“Far from being proportional”? According to whom? Maybe it’s because Iran’s rate of persecution of Christians is proportionally large than in countries like Saudi Arabia.
“when it comes to other Islamic countries that practice even more savage sharee’a rules that Iran, countries like Saudi Arabia where public beheadings and crucifixions are routinely done every week! ”
Are those being beheaded or crucified, like you claim, non-muslims? Can you point to a case that has not been covered in JW?
“and why jihadwatch is not reporting on this important statement”
Because, like you said:
It’s jihadwatch, not “Israeli Minister of Education Watch”
gravenimage says
christianblood wrote:
One should ask this question:
Why always Iran but not Pakistan, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia?
…………………..
This is an utter lie–there are two stories from Qatar on Jihad Watch today, and one from Pakistan, which is also about the persecution of Christians there. There are also recent stories from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Note that christianblood has *nothing* critical to say about this persecution of Christians in Iran–but then,why would he? He has previously accused all persecuted Christians in Iran of being “American spies”.
Then, he cites this silly Jewish person’s offensive comments about the Holocaust, but has no problem with Muslims–including his pals the Mullahs–plotting the *actual* genocide of the Jews. *Ugh*.
Westman says
Shilling for Russia and talking about “our” foreign polic.
It’s rather simple why SA is preferred to Iran. The latter threatens the US and Israel; specifically stating the annihilation of Israel is its primary intention. “Death to America” chants from the mouth of the Grand Ayatollah tends to create a bias by itself.
3 and 1/2 weeks to go in my prediction of hostilities between Iran and the US.
Iran is now frantically threatening the UK, Israel, and Europe; further isolating itself to terrorist allies that it can no longer afford without cheating its citizens.
b.a. freeman says
besides the fact that there are a plethora of islamic atrocities visited upon kuffar in *every* nation that imposes sharia upon its victims (oops – i mean citizens), one must also keep in mind that most of the elites running the u.s. have no clue how perverted and nasty the cult of islam is. as U noted Westman, the shia flavor of the cult in iran openly and officially calls for death to our nation, while the saudis, et al., sabotage us much more discreetly. given a lack of knowledge about the cult, one would treat the ones who openly hate us as enemies, and those who do not as at least allies (remember the ignorance!). thus, our russian antisemitic friend, whose leader has chosen a side in the family feud of the ummah (and is no doubt aware that the alliiance is only temporary), tries to prove that the u.s. is evil, and is controlled by evil jews.
@christianblood: why not saudi barbaria or other cult nations? because our leaders are uneducated twits, complements of a**-kissing commies in our universities. BTW, how many pro-american buddies do U have at large in russia?
Walter Sieruk says
The Islamic kingdom of Saudi Arabia in no friend of any Western nation, Saudi Arabia is best defined as a kingdom of Islamic hate
As one Arab scholar who had lived in a Middle Eastern country, for many years revealed “Saudi madrassa notably teach hatred and condemnation of the West and non-Muslims” and “The Saudi Government also provides free textbooks to Islamic schools throughout the world . many of the Saudi- Issued textbook’s contain wording that encourages hatred and intolerance for non-Muslims.” [1]
Saudi Arabia in many ways is no better than Iran.
[1] THEY MUST BE STOPPED by Brigitte Gabriel, page 106
Walter Sieruk says
The Islamic kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not and will not spare any of its vast oil wealth as to use its financial resources to fund and promote the advancement of Islam by and through the jihad. By this it means both the stealth jihad and even the subtle support violent jihad.
As explained, for example in the book HOW ISLAM PLANS TO CHANGE THE WORLD by William Wagner. For on pages 109, 110. The reader is informed that “The Wall Street journal on April 15, 2003 published an article titled ‘In law Seminars, A Saudi Group Spreads Extremism.’ The article began by saying ‘In late February more than 300 young men from across Europe gathered for a weekend seminar on Islamic Law put on by Al-Waqf al-Islaami Foundation.’ The article went on to explain that the most famous graduates from the seminar were half a dozen members of the group of young men from Hamburg, Germany, who plotted the September 11, attacks. The language of the was Dutch, but ‘the message was imported from Saudi Arabia, via Saudi books and lecturers who taught a strict orthodox interpretation of Islam.’ “
Further on the very same page of 110 the information is given that “TIME MAGAZINE , in an article on Saudi Arabia: Inside the Kingdom,’ stated ‘Apart from channeling money to foundations that have assisted terrorist groups, Saudis have for years supported institutions abroad the propagate Wahhabism.’”
In addition to all this, in the book of the title of THE HISTORY OF JIHAD FROM MUHAMMAD TO ISIS, by Robert Spencer on pages 333 through 337.Mr Spencer provides valid information of the subject of “ The Saudi involvement in September 11.”
So with that Islamic regime of Saudi Arabia and its oil money support the different type of the jihad, both stealth and the violent kind, with its Islamic agenda advancement and spread , influence and infiltration of the Western nations ,this kingdom of Saudi Arabia is no friend at all of America or any other country of the West.
b.a. freeman says
+1
Angemon says
“One should ask this question:
Why always Iran but not Pakistan, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia?”
Might have something to do with all those decades of “death to america”, attacks on American forces and their allies, expressed desire to wipe out Israel, etc…
b.a freeman says
+1
Savvy Infidel says
The best way to eliminate islam is 2 expose islam. God bless America.
mortimer says
They will be horribly abused. We should inform our religious leaders that we disapprove.
Article 18 of the UDHR states that everyone has the right to freedom of religion, freedom to change his religion and freedom to manifest his religion in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Muslims do not recognize this universal right. Muslims are incompatible with modernity and human rights.
Beneath the Veil of Consciousness says
“…based on a narrow and totalitarian view of Islam.” As with Nazism, any way you view it, Islam is totalitarian.
Peter Buckley says
All the evidence points to the FACT that IRAN IS NO LONGER A MUSLIM COUNTRY. Just 5 years ago, a survey was carried out amongst Iranians on religious affiliation. ONLY HALF of those questioned admitted to being muslim. And a large majority of those admitted to being non-practicing (p.11):
https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/64581/1/__lse.ac.uk_storage_LIBRARY_Secondary_libfile_shared_repository_Content_LSE%20Middle%20East%20Centre%20Papers_Abdolmohammadi_Revival%20of%20nationalism%20Iran_2015.pdf
Five years on, that figure will by now have passed UNDER the 50% mark.
According to a BBC report from nearly ten years ago:
“Iran has the lowest mosque attendance of any Muslim country; only 2% of adults attend Friday services, a gauge of disaffection comparable to church attendance in Western Europe. Iran’s fertility rate of about 1.6 children per women, coincidentally, is about the same as Western Europe’s. Iran has a huge contingent of young people, but they have ceased to have children. They have faith neither in the national religion nor in the future of their nation.”
https://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LK30Ak02.html&date=2012-11-30
So there you have it. Iran is no longer a muslim country. The mullahs have done a wonderful job for us, in showing the true face of Islam to the Iranian people, and we should be thankful to them for that, in the long term, even though their reign is coming to an end. Ironically, they have served their purpose extremely well.
Christianblood says
Peter Buckley
Can’t argue with your points!
More muslims in Iran leave Islam than the rest of the Islamic world combined!
Iran also have more Jewish than the rest of the Islamic world combined!
Another inconvenient fact is that, for the past few years, more Christians and Jews have been murdered while in prayer in Churches and in Synagogues in the US than in Iran.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUP571KQyRQ
Raja says
CB, You are partly right.
The West is run by predominantly Left for nearly 70-80 years hence the negative consequences in the West.
Mullah regimes are even worse as the thought of moral police, secret police etc should send the spine chilling. Even great Satan Pakistan, your brethren has had serious issues with Iran because of her notoriety.
Christianblood says
Raja
(…The West is run by predominantly Left for nearly 70-80 years hence the negative consequences in the West..)
+1
Christianblood says
dave posted
(…Why not the others? Simple. The others have not threatened us or Israel ..)
You are indeed very right!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YLm3pkAiJQ
Christianblood says
dave
(sarc off)
Walter Sieruk says
About that September 11, 2001 jihad murderous affront against both humankind and America the following might be interesting to some people. A type of thinking of many from Middle East is the sayings that “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
This type of Middle Eastern “philosophy” may explain, to a degree, how Muslims of two different branches of Islam which are hostile to each other can work together against what they perceive as a “common enemy.”
In this case the mullahs and other in power in Shi ‘ite Iran can work with the jihadists of al Qaeda against which they see as “The Great Satan” By that term they mean the United States of America. As the Muslim author, Rohan Gunaratna , explained in his book INSIDE AL QAEDA . For on page 198 it reveals that among different Islamic terror organizations that “Ideological tolerance and intergroup cohesion as a means confronting a common enemy.” So another author, Robert Spencer, in his book which is entitled THE COMPLETE INFIDEL’S GUIDE TO IRAN supply’s information about this topic. It has been keyboarded that this book reveals “Iran’s long –standing support of terrorists- including shocking evidence that Iran helped plain the 9/11 attack.”
No Muzzies Here says
Do not fail to notice that there is no distinction between religion and government in Muslim nations! It’s called the Islamic Republic of Iran. Islam is the established religion.
They want that type of government extended throughout the entire world.
Raja says
Is the Iranian regime treating these cases of “converts” as mental illness?
While mental illness is a term used to hush up any discussion by the West on the evil effects of Islam; in any Islamic state, arrest or solitary confinement of converts will only lead to exponential growth of the Christian church through the persecuted Christians. It is paradoxical that one set of evil leaders want to let off the “mentally ill”, the other (Islamic) nations want to persecute those with any deviation from the official religion called Islam
Earlier the Iranian administration did an inept job of censoring internet and yet not containing the huge popularity of Dr. Richard Dawkins now they seem to be doing an even worse job by arresting converts.
Good luck to those evil nuts-Mullahs.
Walter Sieruk says
First, on the date of 7/9/19 the Pat Roberson’s Christian News Broadcasting Network devoted it first news segment reporting that brutal and ruthless Muslim persecution of Christians trapped in Iran and it further exposed that many Christians are sent to very worse and most cruel that Islamic “republic” of Iran
Second, those mullahs and ayatollahs of this Islamic dictatorship come down very hard on the human rights of Christians as well as other people through their ruthless gang of thugs who are called “The Republican Guard.”
Furthermore, this hideous type of hard and oppressive tyranny is taught about in the Bible .For in Ecclesiastes 4 :1 in teaches about “the tears of the oppressed.” and about all the power being “on the side of the oppressors.” Likewise, in that same Bible book in 5:8 it informs the reader not to be naïve about such awful wickedness. For it teaches “If you see the poor oppressed…and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things.” Moreover in Proverbs 15:15 it also teaches “All the days of the oppressed are wretched…” In addition, the Iranian president, Rouhani and ayatollah Khamenei may be described in Proverbs 28:15 which reads “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked man ruling over a helpless people.” In short, the brutal and vicious Islamic regime of those two characters, just mention, as well as the other mullahs , ayatollahs and other Muslim tyrants who have such harsh and brutal control with their terrible oppression over the lives of the Iranian people , Proverbs 15:15. is thus very appropriate . For it teaches “When the wicked rule, the people groan. “ [N.I.V.]
Walter Sieruk says
About that heinously brutal, cruel vicious tyrannical “mullah regime” of Iran which inflect viciously severe persecution on Christians has likewise terribly failed to deliver the lying promises it held out the for Iranian people when is first attempted to and then gained and tool power . Now many of the disillusioned and disappointed Iranians have woke up the lies and harsh rule of this Islamic tyranny which they are trapped and forced to exist in. Some of them have even gone further and seen through many falsehoods of the false doctrines of Islam.
One Christian writer has come right out and wrote about this reality when he revealed , in his book, that “The creation of an Islamic republic in Iran has had the effect that many from that country in Iran have become disillusioned with Islam are looking to leave.” [1]
[1]HOW ISLAM PLANS TO CHANGE THE WORLD by William Wagner page 208.
European pagan says
I worked together with two iranian women who had to leave Iran because they converted to Christianity. One of them said: there is a very big difference what Jesus said and what Mohammed said
b.a. freeman says
No tolerance for the intolerant.
—
well, yes, but … remember that *that very phrase* is used by the left to silence those trying to speak the truth. even in the depths of the cold war, commies were allowed to speak in the u.s. the difference between commies then and the ummah now is that commies were watched by the national government, because the government *knew* that communism was dangerous. today, those in the national government either have *no* knowledge of islam, or they do have knowledge of it, and treasonously approve of the damage done to our nation because they are leftist traitors (or more often, simply uneducated/indoctrinated nominal leftists). yes, we need to end islam, but we also need to educate people about it to do that, and the folks in government need to understand its repugnant beliefs first in order to stop the demise of the republic.
ciudadanocr says
Today facebook locked me out of my accout for posting a link to the original article in the JP.
Lydia Church says
It is as simple as:
The koran is islam.
Iran, like other muslim countries is islam in action.
Islam is bad.
Questions?
But the denial is endless.
Anton Savarese says
More love from ‘the religion of peace and tolerance’..
I am underwhelmed by the wonder of all this goodness..
gravenimage says
Islamic Republic of Iran arrests 8 converts to Christianity, sends them to solitary confinement
……………………….
*Awful*. But yes–it could be even worse. God, I hate Islam.
Necrophage says
All “solitary confinement” means is that they will be tortured/raped separately instead of together.