Following America’s ‘Lead From Behind’ manner in dealing with the Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi in recent history, almost having been towed by cable by other European countries to take action, Libyan Coptic Christians now fear persecution and violence in its wake.
After our rather limited efforts and feeble attempts to establish some sort of a democracy following Qaddafi’s fall, Libya’s lurch toward Shariah law sends chills through the Christian community there now. Libya’s Coptic Christians, who number about 300,000, or 5 percent of the population, were allowed to practice their faith under dictator Muammar Qaddafi but since the strongman was ousted from power and eventually killed, Muslim fundamentalists have increasingly filled the power void. Last month, the national assembly voted in favor of making Koranic law, or Shariah, the basis of all legislative decisions, meaning Islam will shape all future banking, criminal and financial cases.
“Islamic law is the source of legislation in Libya,” stated the General National Congress in a statement released shortly after a vote was held. “All state institutions need to comply with this.” According to recent reports, a special committee has begun reviewing existing laws to ensure that they comply with Shariah.
The emerging political and legal system’s orientation combined with the rise of militants in the oil-rich nation has left Christians feeling like the promise of democracy in the wake of Qaddafi’s fall has been broken. “NATO went to war in Libya on the basis of a full democracy,” Patrick Sookhdeo, international director for human rights group The Barnabus Fund told FoxNews.com. “But what we have ended up with is a fractured government in which religious extremism of the worst kind has now taken over the government.” Realistically, the exact opposite has occurred.
Sookhdeo adds that the recent legislation will have a serious effect on those in Libya who desire a fair and just society, especially those in the country who are not of the Muslim faith. The status and rights of women will also have to be addressed in Libya’s future constitution, analysts say. Sookhdeo likened Libya’s situation to what happened in Egypt after longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was replaced by Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood-backed president who was ousted by the military after he was seen as pushing the nation toward Islamic rule. “They (Christians) will not have full citizenship,” Morsi said when his administration attempted to implement similar legislation.
The danger for Christians and non-Muslims in Libya was again witnessed last month when an American teacher was murdered in the same place as the American Ambassador and three others were killed in the American consulate attack on September 11, 2012. Ronnie Smith of Texas, who was teaching chemistry at Benghazi’s International School was shot to death on December 5 while out jogging. There were no credible claims of responsibility but it is believed that Islamic militants active in Benghazi were responsible for Smith’s murder considering it came right after an Al Qaeda spokesman publicly called upon Libyans to attack U.S. interests everywhere as revenge for Special Forces snatching an Al Qaeda suspect off the streets of Tripoli last October. Many speculate that Smith may have been killed because of his Christian faith and how he spoke of it with Muslims and his students.
Sookhdeo said that the recent legislation could have severe effects well beyond Libya’s borders as well. “We have a potential regional problem,” he said. “And Christians and others in the Middle East have every right to want a free, democratic society.”
We ask for everyone’s prayers for our fellow Christians across the world as persecution, violence and even the murdering of Christians have been on the rise all across the Middle East and anti-Christian sentiment is definitely on the rise.
