Thursday, January 13, 2011

Kuwaiti and Saudi intellectuals condemn attacks on Christians

A "strong condemnation" of attacks against Christian Arabs has been expressed by some sixty teachers, writers and human rights activists, mostly Kuwaitis and Saudis. 

In addition to condemning the "wave of assassinations and terrorist attacks that have targeted Christians in the Arab and Muslim world," the statement speaks out  against "terrorist groups' attempts to isolate them and force them to emigrate from their homelands and from their homes" .

The position, which comes from the personalities of two of the most conservative countries in the Islamic world, is the latest of a long series of reactions from the Muslim cultural and religious world to the attacks and violence against Christians.

In fact, today, Middle East Online published a reflection by a Muslim writer who lives in the United States, Hesham A. Hassaballa, in recalling some affirmations by Muhammad, said that attacks against Christians and churches are condemned by Islam.

"In the words of the Prophet Mohammed, Christians and Muslims are his 'citizens', one people with different faiths." 

Recalling words on the sacredness of life and the sanctity of places of worship, the researcher concludes that "the crime is even more despicable because it directly violates a directive of the Prophet himself".

SIC: AN/INT'L