Image: ISIS makes Christians sign so-called Dhimma contracts that make them second-class citizens.
They are subject to severe restrictions. The following eleven rules have been accepted by the remaining Christians from the city of Al-Qaryatayn:
- 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 read 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 4 gold denarii, equivalent to approximately 3200 DKK according to the current gold price. Middle-class Christians must 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.
According to the Morning Star News, if Christians break this contract, they will experience the same conditions as the "people of war", which means they can be enslaved for women and children and killed for men.
Pray for the citizens of Islamic State
Let us pray for the Christians in Islamic State and the other inhabitants and terrorists. Christian satellite TV is being broadcast over the area and there are already reports of Islamic State fighters who have become Christians.
Emergency aid shows refugees God's love in practice
By supporting the Iraqi and Syrian Christians who are providing relief to people fleeing Islamic State, Christians and other minorities alike. 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.
- On average, it costs around 150 DKK to provide a refugee family with water, food, kitchenware, hygiene items and medicine for a week.
- 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.
