Christians Under Islamic Rule

The threats come two days after a church and a Christian school were attacked following the seizure of power by Hamas. “I expect our Christian neighbors to understand the new Hamas rule means real changes. They must be ready for Islamic rule if they want to live in peace in Gaza,” said Sheikh Abu Saqer, leader of Jihadia Salafiya, which recently opened a “military wing” to enforce Muslim law in Gaza. It is suspected of attacking a UN school after it allowed boys and girls to participate in the same sporting event. One person was killed. “The situation has now changed 180 degrees in Gaza,” said Abu Saqer.

“Jihadia Salafiya and other Islamic movements will ensure Christian schools and institutions show publicly what they are teaching to be sure they are not carrying out missionary activity…All women, including non-Muslims, need to understand they must be covered at all times while in public,” Abu Saqer told WND. “Also the activities of Internet cafes, pool halls, and bars must be stopped,” he said. “If it goes on, we’ll attack these things very harshly.”

Abu Saqer accused the leadership of the Gaza Christian community of “proselytizing and trying to convert Muslims with funding from American evangelicals. This missionary activity is endangering the entire Christian community in Gaza.” He claimed there was “no need” for thousands of Christians in Gaza to maintain a large number of institutions. About 2,000 Christians live in the Gaza Strip, which has a population of over one million. Abu Saqer said Hamas “must work to impose an Islamic rule or it will lose the authority it has.”

—Adapted from an article by Aaron Klein, WND, Ynetnews.com