It is an ancient Islamic practice that goes all the way back to Mohamed himself. Christians in a northern Iraqi city are reportedly being ordered to pay an infidel tax in return for “protection” by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
A Middle Eastern Christian website and a Lebanese daily reported that Christians have been required to pay $250 per individual who works and $500 per couple. If accurate, the tax would fall in line with past Islamist efforts to impose fines on Christians in the region.
Council of High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq member Salama Al-Khafaji told the Arabic-language Alsumaria News that ISIS had begun imposing the tax, known as “jizya,” on Christians who remained in Mosul after the militant group seized the city earlier this month. The Assyrian International News Agency summarized the report on its English-language website.
Al-Khafaji said ISIS “is imposing on Christians a minimum payment of $250, with amount varying depending on the type of work/profession performed by Christian citizens.”
“The economic situation in Mosul is extremely difficult, and there are no financial resources or job opportunities except for vegetable shops, any other businesses are non-existent. Citizens are at a loss now as to how to make ends meet; how can they pay those amounts to ISIS?” Al-Khafaji asked.
Christians were told to either pay the tax or leave the city.
At least half of Iraq’s Christian population has fled the country since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, according to the Associated Press, and remaining Christians now are “emptying out” to escape the prospect of living under strict Shariah law, the stated goal of the Sunni Muslim militants.
The jizya tax is historically how Islam deals with infidels or non believers. ISIS is following the template of Mohamed and the early Islamic leadership. First, conquer the country. Second, execute the opposition to terrorize the survivors into submission (it is what Islam means). Third, tax the remaining infidels that are still needed until they convert or die.
