Kidnapped priest freed by Islamic State

Image: Happy Syrian refugee children in Lebanon.

A Syrian priest, Jacques Mourad, who was abducted on May 21st this year when Islamic State destroyed the church institution where he served, has been released. The details of his release have not been disclosed, but we do know that the other day he was able to celebrate his first church service in freedom since his abduction.

The now destroyed institution was located in the town of Qaryatayn, about 60 km south of the city of Homs. Jacques Mourad helped the inhabitants of the town while government forces on one side and rebel forces on the other fought for control of the town with its approximately 35,000 inhabitants, and he tried to mediate between the warring parties to save the civilians. A large group of Christians took refuge in the institution, where the priest did everything he could to help them. When the institution was destroyed, the Christians were taken hostage by ISIS.

Christians survive under ISIS - as long as they pay taxes

However, a video released by the Islamic State in August shows the pastor and a group of Christians in Qaryatayn signing a "payment contract" as a condition for them to continue living under Islamic State rule. It appears that the pastor has been able to continue his pastoral ministry to some extent, even under Islamic State rule. It is believed that around 230 Christians were captured at the same time as him.

What does Sharia say about Christians under Islamic rule?

According to Sharia, Islamic law, Christians can be allowed to live under Islamic rule provided they pay a special tax called jizya. In the Qaryatayn area, the specific conditions for Christians to stay are as follows:

Christians are not allowed to build churches, monasteries or hermitages in or around the city.
They are not allowed to display the cross or any of their books in Muslim streets or markets, and they are not allowed to use loudspeakers during worship and prayer.
They are not allowed to recite from their books or ring church bells loud enough for Muslims to hear.
They must not engage in any form of aggression against ISIS, such as harboring spies and criminals. If they learn of plans against Muslims, they must report it.
They are not allowed to perform rituals in public spaces.
They must respect Muslims and must not criticize their religion.
Wealthy Christians must pay an annual jizya of four gold denarii (i.e. approximately 3200 DKK according to the current gold price, ed.). Middle-class Christians have to pay two gold denarii and the poor one. Christians must declare their income. They can pay the annual tax in two installments.
They are not allowed to own firearms.
They are not allowed to engage in business activities involving pigs or alcohol with Muslims or in Muslim markets, and they are not allowed to drink alcohol in public.
They have to maintain their own cemeteries.
They must comply with IS dress codes and trade guidelines.

IS dual strategy: "Humanity" and cruelty

The Islamic State seems to have a dual strategy: in some cases, they treat Christians under their rule fairly humanely, at least as long as they meet the conditions of dhimmis, i.e. religious minorities under Islamic protection. In other cases, they cruelly and mercilessly slaughter Christians, as happened to the three Assyrian Christians from al-Hasakeh province in northern Syria whose execution was recorded and released on video, as we reported on our website on October 12. If the Christians are converts from Islam, there is no mercy. They will be executed unless they renounce their Christian faith and return to Islam.

Most likely, the Christians in the Qaryatayn area will try to escape from ISIS if the opportunity arises. Otherwise, they will become hostages when or if the area is included in the bombing campaign against ISIS. Please pray for the Christians who continue to live under the rule of the Islamic State!

Emergency aid shows God's love in practice

By supporting Christians, we can cherish the light they are in the midst of civil war. And by helping them to reach out to other minorities in need, people from non-Christian backgrounds can practically and tangibly feel God's love and care, even in times like these. In the project, around 60 % of the beneficiaries are Christians, while the rest are from other backgrounds.

On average, it costs around 652 DKK to ensure that a refugee family has water, food, kitchenware, hygiene items and medicine for a month.
On average, it costs around 1086 DKK to ensure a refugee family has warm clothes, shoes, mattresses, blankets and fuel this winter.

Thank you for extending a helping hand to people in need in Syria.