Islamic Religious Persecution

By Doug Bandow

The West's relations with the Islamic world remain troubled. The latest challenge was the Swiss vote to ban the construction of minarets on mosques.

However, Islamic governments are in no position to complain. They tend to not only violate human rights, but also persecute Christians, Jews and other religious minorities.

Many authoritarian states violate religious liberty along with other freedoms. But Muslim nations are almost unique in their willingness to persecute religious minorities to promote religious ends, as is evident from the State Department's latest report on religious liberty abroad.

Even the most moderate Islamic states often fall far short of respecting religious minorities. For instance, Morocco detained converts from Islam to Christianity, expelled Christian missionaries, and restricted ``non-Islamic materials and proselytizing.'' Many other Islamic states are far worse.

Afghanistan

U.S pressure has resulted in some improvement in religious liberty. But, the State Department explains: relations among different Muslim sects ``continued to be difficult''; non-Muslims face ``harassment and occasional violence''; ``most local Christians did not publicly state their beliefs or gather openly to worship.''

Brunei

In this small Islamic country, the State Department report says that ``Across denominational lines, non-Muslim religious leaders stated that they were subjected to undue influence and duress, and some were threatened with fines and/or imprisonment.''

Egypt

The report cites ``the failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of increased incidents of sectarian violence,'' mostly against Coptic Christians. Moreover, the authorities ``again failed to redress laws and governmental practices that discriminate against Christians.''

Indonesia

Muslim extremists remain active and often unconstrained by the authorities. Moreover, the report states: ``ongoing government restrictions, particularly among unrecognized religions and sects of the recognized religions considered 'deviant' were significant exceptions to respect for religious freedom.''

Iran

Iran is one of the worst religious persecutors. The report says: ``Government rhetoric and actions created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Baha'is, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, and members of the Jewish community. Reports of government imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious beliefs continued."

Iraq

Although the government does not persecute, the report states, ``Violence conducted by terrorists, extremists, and criminal gangs restricted the free exercise of religion and posed a significant threat to the country's vulnerable religious minorities.''

Malaysia

Observers state: ``Many have expressed concern that the civil court system has gradually ceded jurisdictional control to Sharia courts, particularly in areas of family law involving disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims.'' Conversion from Islam is prohibited and, notes the Department, ``Religious minorities continued to face limitations on religious expression.''

Nigeria

Although the national government does not persecute, a dozen ``northern states use Sharia courts to adjudicate criminal and civil matters for Muslims,'' notes the report, ``local political actors stoked sectarian violence with impunity.'' There also have been reports of forced conversions to Islam as well as threats to extend Sharia law over non-Muslims.

Pakistan

The State Department report explains: ``Law enforcement personnel abused religious minorities in custody. Security forces and other government agencies did not adequately prevent or address societal abuses against minorities.''

``Discriminatory legislation and the government's failure to take action against societal forces hostile to those who practice a different religious belief fostered religious intolerance, acts of violence and intimidation against religious minorities.''

Saudi Arabia

The report says, ``Freedom of religion is neither recognized nor protected under the law and is severely restricted in practice.'' Moreover, the authorities ``continued to conduct raids on private non-Muslim religious gatherings.''

Somalia

Religious minorities are at risk in this failed state. Extremist militias ``often imposed through violence a strict interpretation of Islam on communities under their control. There were also reports that individuals who do not practice Islam experienced discrimination, violence and detention because of religious beliefs.''

Sudan

After years of violent conflict, a peace accord of sorts was reached. While the government of National Unity ``did not vigorously enforce its strictest restrictions on religious freedom, it generally did not respect religious plurality in the north,'' explains the report. There also ``were some reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief or practice.''

Turkey

The government restricts Islamic expression in official circumstances. The report says, ``Minority religious groups also faced difficulties in worshipping, registering with the government and training their followers,'' as well as proselytizing. Further, ``Threats against non-Muslims created an atmosphere of pressure and diminished freedom for some non-Muslim communities.''

Yemen

Yemen enshrines Islam as the state religion, holds Sharia as the source of all law, bans conversion from Islam and forbids proselytizing of Muslims. Private perpetrators of violence against religious minorities were not punished.

The West's ability to aid religious minorities in other nations always will be limited. However, any Western dialogue with Islam must be realistic and should encourage Islamic governments to respect freedom of conscience.

Doug Bandow is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. A former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan, he is the author of ``Beyond Good Intentions: A Biblical View of Politics" (Crossway). He can be reached at ChessSet@aol.com. The views expressed in the above article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial policy of The Korea Times.