Persecution of Christians in Gaza

Submitted by Alan McIntyre (United Kingdom), Oct 22, 2007 at 13:57

Dear Daniel...

Has anybody in the press reported this incident?

Does anybody care…

About Rami Ayyad, the 30yr old manager of the Bible Society Bookshop in Gaza City who was kidnapped and later found stabbed to death near to the Islamic University in Gaza, the first weekend of October this year.

His death followed a series of intimidatory attacks by Muslim militants against the minority Christians who remain isolated in the Hamas dominated Gaza Strip.

Fellow workers report how they are regularly threatened to close their shop, stop speaking about their beliefs, renounce their Christian faith and become Muslims. Rami Ayyad refused such pressure and it cost him his life.

Described as a gentle and loving man, he leaves a pregnant widow with two young children.

The world's press is gearing up to report on the Quartets search for a lasting settlement, and an untangling of the competing claims for authority in the Palestinian Territories.

Influential voices claim that the proposed isolation of the ‘democratically' elected Hamas Government is unfair, as they claim to want peace too.

But on the ground, little by little, the true face of this Islamic democracy is becoming evident; an Islamic Sharia state, where the Christians for one, will only be tolerated as Dimmi, that is; second class citizens.

Ismail Haniya, the Hamas President tells the world that all Palestinians are welcome in his tolerant Islamic state, but the truth on the ground is different, one where Rami Ayyad and his Christian friends are indeed, persecuted for their faith.

Perhaps the respected Muslim authors of the recent ‘Open letter to the Pope' might have some words of apology and comfort for Rami's widow, and perhaps even extend to her some financial support on behalf of the moderate Muslims they say are seldom heard. Perhaps.

Alan McIntyre

Note: You may wish to contact the Palestinian Bible Society to verify this report.

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