Islam recognizes the rights of the minority. To ensure their welfare and safety, Muslim rulers initiated a tax (Jizya) on them. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) forbade Muslim armies to destroy churches and synagogues. Caliph Umer did not even allow them to pray inside a church. Jews were welcomed and flourished in Muslim Spain even when they were persecuted in the rest of Europe. They consider that part of their history as the Golden Era. In Muslim countries, Christians live in prosperity, hold government positions and attend their church. Christian missionaries are allowed to establish and operate their schools and hospitals. However, the same religious tolerance is not always available to Muslim minorities as seen in the past during Spanish inquisition and the crusades, or as seen now by the events in Bosnia, Israel and India. Muslims do recognize that sometimes the actions of a ruler does not reflect the teachings of his religion.
many examples can be quoted from history where non-muslim minorities were supressed under muslim rule (ofcourse the action was unIslamic but it was under muslim rulers anyway)....
but, religious leaders have never ordered the persecuation of minorities in Islam, while, for example, it was the church that ordered the killing and evacuation of jews from europe....
//To ensure their welfare and safety, Muslim rulers initiated a tax (Jizya) on them.//
God!!! excellent reasoning and what were the rates.
//In Muslim countries, Christians live in prosperity, hold government positions and attend their church.//
Take pakistan for example how many minorities have held government positions.
How are they treated...
//However, the same religious tolerance is not always available to Muslim minorities as seen in the past during Spanish inquisition and the crusades, or as seen now by the events in Bosnia, Israel and India.//
I dont want to comment on this statement. Muslims are treated well in India and are represented in all arms of the govt. True there are minor Aberrations (I am not saying that Gujarat was minor) But that was just an abberation.
I feel it is time that the muslims get out of the "They are out to get me, I am so nice. They are all bad" mentality and really think where they are and analyse to see if the suicide killings and the beheadings are doing them any good.
^ i think you need to get out of bashing anything muslim it not good for your health i think you should get out more!
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but, religious leaders have never ordered the persecuation of minorities in Islam
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Really? What do the leading Saudi clerics say about building churches and wearing crosses in the KSA? God forbid asking thir opinion about synagogues. How did the Taliban view the ancient Buddhist statues?
but, religious leaders have never ordered the persecuation of minorities in Islam, while, for example, it was the church that ordered the killing and evacuation of jews from europe....
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I TOTALLY disagree....there is DAILY persecution of muslims (minorities of Islam). We all know that. so, that is a completely wrong statement.
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*Originally posted by Stu: *
Really? What do the leading Saudi clerics say about building churches and wearing crosses in the KSA? God forbid asking thir opinion about synagogues. How did the Taliban view the ancient Buddhist statues?
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You are citing only extreme cases...let's not let these overshadow the mainstream fact which is that Islam as a religion/theology is extremely tolerant of those of other religions (especially the 'people of the book').
In addition, to counteract your claim, let's also not forget the many atrocities being committed daily towards Muslims by Christians in Europe and Jews in Israel under the guise of "protecting people against terrrorism/Islam" What a bunch of $hit.
:o
I think muslims shoud pay a special tax to the US gov't for ensuring their safety. Shouldn't be a problem right...quid pro quo and all.
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*Originally posted by Stu: *
Really? What do the leading Saudi clerics say about building churches and wearing crosses in the KSA? God forbid asking thir opinion about synagogues. How did the Taliban view the ancient Buddhist statues?
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saudi government is not a religious authority....
when taliban destroyed the buddhist statues, there were no people worshipping them or even visiting them....
//You are citing only extreme cases...let's not let these overshadow the mainstream fact which is that Islam as a religion/theology is extremely tolerant of those of other religions (especially the 'people of the book').
In addition, to counteract your claim, let's also not forget the many atrocities being committed daily towards Muslims by Christians in Europe and Jews in Israel under the guise of "protecting people against terrrorism/Islam" What a bunch of $hit.
//
What reasoning !!!. Name ONE muslim majority country where a minority (non muslim) can live in peace(build his own church,temple etc. ) The mainstream might be extremely tolerant of those from other religion, but that is not the message that I get after I visit here. Most of the guys here
want to kill the infidels
want to kill the homos
not make friends with the kuffar
Correct me if I am wrong. If this is not the place where I can meet the mainstream of Islam can you please tell me where I can meet them.
SP have you heard about the Islam rally or something. You should visit their website. They begin by trashing hinduism and sikhism and most of the guppies here concur with that.
And can you imagine where the rally is happening!!! In UK. It is very easy to point fingers at somebody else. Remove the log from your own eye so that you can remove the speck from your brother's eye.
It would help you to see things in a proper perspective....
//when taliban destroyed the buddhist statues, there were no people worshipping them or even visiting them....//
well nobody could have come up with a lamer excuse....
According to your reasoning demolishing the Babri Masjid was not a mistake since no one was worshipping there.
Under jizya, non-Muslims are not required to pay zakat tax, non-Muslim females are exempt from jizya as are the poor, and they are all exempt from military service...
^ doesn’t make one feel like they belong in the islamic nation. Vaisey, it is good to discuss such white elephants. Chances of an islamic state coming to pass are probably as great as a buddhist khalifah. 
Goes back to the point. If muslims were asked to pay a special tax along the lines of the jizya “for protection” (ISlamic nation sounds like the mafia), how many muslims would pay it and agree while living in India, US, Japan.
^ Crazy hypothetical, Mats 
Stick to your own harirama mantras, dude.
As far as the issue of Islam and it being a tolerant/peaceful religion, I think any further discussion on the topic is not necessary since facts speak for themselves…and the facts suggest Islam as being the most progressive, sensible, logical, and tolerant religion (not only in years past/during its inception but even today). Look around you and you’ll realize this.
SP, what is more hypothetical...an islamic state or nation states in which muslims live today as minorities. Come back quick...I have a meeting in 5 mins.
Islam is as tolerant as any religion. No difference...
My goodness they now trying to justify the destruction of barbri masjid what ever next
bunch of sick minded people posting on gupshup how can they talk about tolerance when they think like this!
^ Exactly ak47 :k:
Something interesting about Jizyah, it was only levied on non mulsim males (no children, women, or old people), and it was 4 dinars per year. The dinar was a gold coin worth $40 in present terms (2001).
would muslims pay a separate tax for protection in the US. Simple question..
I pay $3 for protection on a need to use basis.