Mecca, we have a problem.
It is not America, nor Europe, and no, it is certainly not Israel.
The problem is Christian persecution. Some 14 centuries after the prophet Mohammed wrote, "Christians are my citizens, and by God, I hold out against anything that displeases them," Christian persecution has become the norm in too many Muslim-majority nations.
A few days ago, 25 Christians were killed in Egypt after state television falsely accused them of creating violence — while they peacefully protested violence against their churches. Rather than fight for the rights of Christians, the Muslim mob attacked them. Yes, the Quran commands Muslims to protect churches from attack, but tell that to the state media that incited violence against their Christian minority. And though Islam requires equal rights and protection for minorities, be careful about saying that out loud — as the minority voice, you may be attacked.
Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five, sits on death row in a putrid Pakistani prison — literally tortured for her alleged blasphemy of the prophet Mohammed. Yes, the Quran forbids punishment for blasphemy, but tell that to the Muslim clergy. And though Islam does not sanction any sort of priesthood, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with blasphemy.
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian father of two, sits on death row, inhumanely incarcerated in Iran for his "crime" of converting to Christianity from Islam. Yes, the Quran forbids punishment for apostasy, but tell that to the Iranian government. And though Islam does not sanction the mixing of mosque and state, be careful about saying that out loud — you may be charged with apostasy.
Earlier this week, a human rights group reported that a 12-year-old Christian girl in Pakistan was kidnapped, raped, forcibly converted to "Islam," and forcibly married to a Muslim before she escaped. When her parents went to the police, they were advised to "return the girl to her rightful husband." Yes, the Quran protects the rights of women and children, condemns rape, forbids inheriting women (let alone children) against their will, and forbids compulsion in religion. And though Islam demands absolute justice in all affairs, be careful about saying that out loud — if you cannot be bribed in Pakistan, you might find yourself buried six feet under.
A Muslim problem demands a Muslim solution.
More than a century ago, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad— who claimed to be the long-awaited Messiah — planted the seeds for what has blossomed into the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Now globally established with tens of millions of adherents, it is at the forefront of taking Islam back from the corruption of such "Muslim" nations.
Ahmadi Muslims believe in absolute justice, reject religious compulsion, are loyal to their nations of residence, uphold the absolute sanctity and equality of human life, believe in gender equity and spiritual equality, condemn religious aggression, and champion universal religious freedom.
Countless Muslims — regardless of background — share these over-riding principles of justice, equality, and pluralism. Consider a few:
•Arsalan Iftikhar of the United States, a prolific international human rights advocate.
•Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch, a vociferous supporter of minority rights in Pakistan.
• Azizah al-Hibri, U.S. Commissioner on International Religious Freedom and Founder of Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights.
Advocates and scholars of all walks are working tirelessly to revive Islam's aforementioned founding principles.
The prophet Mohammed's charter with Christians worldwide concludes, "We defend Christians. … No Muslim is to disobey this covenant until the Last Day." Muslims who hold fast to this covenant happily oblige and grow by the day.
And as such Muslims multiply worldwide, Egypt, Pakistan, and Iran should take note: You have a problem.
Qasim Rashid is a national spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA.
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