Hamas orders Orthodox Churches in Gaza to enforce Sharia Law or undergo closure

[MarkyMark]

Five schools in Gaza – two Catholic and three Christian – face closure if the Hamas government follows through on an order forbidding co-educational institutions, according to the director general of Latin Patriarchate Schools in Palestine and Israel.

Fr Faysal Hijazin said: “This will be a big problem. We hope they will not go through with it, but if they do, we will be in big trouble. We don’t have the space and we don’t have the money to divide our schools.”

In addition to finding additional space, he said, the schools face having to hire more teachers. Men and women teachers would not be allowed to teach classes of the opposite sex older than 10 under Islamic law.

“We will never accept this even if we have to close the schools,” Fr Hijazin said.

He said Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem hoped to speak with Gaza’s prime minister, Ismail Haniya, to discuss the Church’s concerns.

The patriarchate administers the Latin Patriarchate School, with 370 students, and the Holy Family School, with 650 students. In addition, the Rosary Sisters operate their own school. The majority of the students enrolled in the schools are Muslim.

Four of Holy Family School’s recent graduates are Christian.

Fr Hijazin said that although the order did not specifically single out the Christian schools, the five are the only schools with mixed enrolment in Gaza.

“It is a concern that in education things are getting more conservative,” he said. “It reflects the whole society. This is of concern to both Christians and moderate Muslims. It is not easy to be there.”

Fuck Sharia law! It tears my heart to see Levantine Orthodox Christians opressed.

[ariel]

The muslim palestinian treat toward christians badly.

[Baluarte]

Seems Hamas is enforcing the principles of the Gulf Emirates that fund it, since Iran severed the ties for cooperating with the West and refusing to support Assad.

[sido]

do what they say or move:cool:

[riverman]

do what they say or move:cool:

:picard2:

Move where, Israel?

[sido]

the orthodox world

[Han Cholo]

do what they say or move:cool:

Don't you live in a predominantly Christian country? How would you feel if they suddenly all mosques who don't follow the ten commandments should be closed?

[MarkyMark]

the orthodox world

Shut the fuck up. Orthodox christianity was in the Levant hundreds of years before Islam.

http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i60/2/11/15/frabz-kill-yourself-050909.jpg

[Han Cholo]

Seems Hamas is enforcing the principles of the Gulf Emirates that fund it, since Iran severed the ties for cooperating with the West and refusing to support Assad.

It's ironic Hamas is now in the coalition on which Hamas initially was formed to resist. Shameful.

[sido]

Shut the fuck up. Orthodox christianity was in the Levant hundreds of years before Islam.

http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i60/2/11/15/frabz-kill-yourself-050909.jpg

majority rules.one man one vote

[MarkyMark]

majority rules.one man one vote

These aren't democracies so it doesn't matter. Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranny_of_the_majority Alexis de Tocqueville begs to differ.

[StonyArabia]

Shut the fuck up. Orthodox christianity was in the Levant hundreds of years before Isla

Paganism is even older, and especially in the Southern regions which were called Nabatea. Christianity did not make in roads although it did try. The Nabateans were eventually angered when the Byzantines destroyed the temple of the Mother Goddess, and hence the rebellion. Nabateans thankfully never converted to it, only few did.

[sido]

These aren't democracies so it doesn't matter. Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyranny_of_the_majority Alexis de Tocqueville begs to differ.

talk to whoever you want,maority rules

[randomguy1235]

The muslim palestinian treat toward christians badly.

Bullshit. Why does my family have plenty of Christian Pali friends if that's the case?

[American_Hispanist]

why is sido acting like a moron?

[MarkyMark]

Paganism is even older, and especially in the Southern regions which were called Nabatea. Christianity did not make in roads although it did try. The Nabateans were eventually angered when the Byzantines destroyed the temple of the Mother Goddess, and hence the rebellion. Nabateans thankfully never converted to it, only few did.

That is an extremely uneven comparison. Why?
1. Muslims persecuted and forced pagans to convert too.
2. Byzantines were Greco-Romans, not Levantines. Even you were one of the ones who said Levantines christians were not like Greeks so why should Levantine Orthodox people pay for what greeks did?


why is sido acting like a moron?

Because a lot of Muslims like to troll me. They antagonize me and kiss the asses of Euro christians or Euro atheists which is pretty damn ironic.

[randomguy1235]

That is an extremely uneven comparison. Why?
1. Muslims persecuted and forced pagans to convert too.
2. Byzantines were Greco-Romans, not Levantines. Even you were one of the ones who said Levantines christians were not like Greeks so why should Levantine Orthodox people pay for what greeks did?

Like whom? I certainly don't troll you.

Because a lot of Muslims like to troll me. They antagonize me and kiss the asses of Euro christians or Euro atheists which is pretty damn ironic.
Like whom? I certainly don't troll you, nor do I associate with the majority of members on this site either.

[Manuel]

talk to whoever you want,maority rules

You're "liberal" and yet you think majoritarianism is not a problem? the entire reason for establishing *liberal* democracies was to uphold certain liberal rights that go beyond the will of the majority (the right to worship, freedom of expression, etc)

I don't think Palestinians are the only ones guilty of intolerance. There are many in Europe who don't think Muslims should be able to worship freely.

It's the Dark Ages all over again.

[YeshAtid]

This is why israel is better

[Qutuzistan]

Makes sense... they betray their own people and their religious allies, because those cunts from saudi-arabia want them too, for financing of-course. Why else would they suddenly turn decades of unity, upside down, to people who haven't had problems them for decades. So they suddenly just decide to enforce sharia law? This wasn't a complain before from hamas. They want to be wahabized.

[MarkyMark]

Like whom? I certainly don't troll you, nor do I associate with the majority of members on this site either.

Not you. You are respectable and keep your cool. Sido, and a lot of Muslim Balkan members are the problem. Alberta sometimes trolls, sometimes he's fine.

[YeshAtid]

Israel needs to wipe them out

[Scholarios]

This has been a trend. 30 years until these Christians are gone without a trace. Christian Palestinians are generally a characteristic of the diaspora nowadays anyways.

However, I believe Hamas as at least one Greek Orthodox MP.

[MarkyMark]

Makes sense... they betray their own people and their religious allies, because those cunts from saudi-arabia want them too, for financing of-course. Why else would they suddenly turn decades of unity, upside down, to people who haven't had problems them for decades. So they suddenly just decide to enforce sharia law? This wasn't a complain before from hamas. They want to be wahabized.

I don't remember any Gedrosians here. Are you new?

[YeshAtid]

This has been a trend. 30 years until these Christians are gone without a trace. Christian Palestinians are generally a characteristic of the diaspora nowadays anyways.

However, I believe Hamas as at least one Greek Orthodox MP.

who?

[randomguy1235]

This has been a trend. 30 years until these Christians are gone without a trace. Christian Palestinians are generally a characteristic of the diaspora nowadays anyways.

However, I believe Hamas as at least one Greek Orthodox MP.

Muslim Palestinians I'd assume are the majority of Palestinian diaspora. Lebanese diaspora, conversely, are predominantly Christian. Palestinians (in Palestine) are generally tolerant of other faiths.

[Qutuzistan]

This has been a trend. 30 years until these Christians are gone without a trace. Christian Palestinians are generally a characteristic of the diaspora nowadays anyways.

However, I believe Hamas as at least one Greek Orthodox MP.

This has to be wahabis influence. Doesn't make any sense. Why would they suddenly demand this? They all of a sudden turned into good salafists? When all these years they didn't practice such policy. They know the political implication, you don't do this to your allies. It has to be the promise of something more.

Martymack, can you show us the source?

[xajapa]

Shameful.

[Qutuzistan]

do what they say or move:cool:

Stop bullshitting. It's their land too. Muslims might be majority, but that doesn't justify us being intolerant. I'm very much against regulation that restricts the religious freedom and institutional freedoms of minorities in muslim countries. But then again, look who is speaking. yasmina Bigotslav.

[Pontios]

Both in Palestine and Lebanon there are many Orthodox people and they live in peace with the Muslims. There is never any hate between them.

[StonyArabia]

That is an extremely uneven comparison. Why?
[QUOTE=MarkyMark]1. Muslims persecuted and forced pagans to convert too.

That's true, and they also prosecuted Muslims.


2. Byzantines were Greco-Romans, not Levantines. Even you were one of the ones who said Levantines christians were not like Greeks so why should Levantine Orthodox people pay for what greeks did?

That's true, nor they should pay for what they did of course. It's sad how they are treated by such morons. Levantine Christians come from different backgrounds, but they all should be respected. I believe if the news is true, is quite disappointing truth be told. All religions should be respected and treated equally. Many Levantine Orthodox are dear to me.


Because a lot of Muslims like to troll me. They antagonize me and kiss the asses of Euro christians or Euro atheists which is pretty damn ironic.

Because maybe they want to be Euro. As for me I never had issue with Middle Eastern Christians btw and many of them are dear freinds. I consider them to be integral part of the Middle East. I just don't like it when Christians bash Muslims or make the Muslims look bad, because of some idiotic group acting idiotic. I honestly find it sad that some people like these morons give a polluted image of my faith.

[MarkyMark]

[QUOTE=MarkyMark;1661965]That is an extremely uneven comparison. Why?


That's true, and they also prosecuted Muslims.



That's true, nor they should pay for what they did of course. It's sad how they are treated by such morons. Levantine Christians come from different backgrounds, but they all should be respected. I believe if the news is true, is quite disappointing truth be told. All religions should be respected and treated equally. Many Levantine Orthodox are dear to me.



Because maybe they want to be Euro. As for me I never had issue with Middle Eastern Christians btw and many of them are dear freinds. I consider them to be integral part of the Middle East. I just don't like it when Christians bash Muslims or make the Muslims look bad, because of some idiotic group acting idiotic. I honestly find it sad that some people like these morons give a polluted image of my faith.

At least I can respect and agree with your opinions. Sido on the other hand was just stupid in saying the orthodox christians should just obey sharia law or leave. Any right minded Arab or Muslim does not agree with sharia law. Turks don't want sharia law, Alwaites have shown attempts at not wanting sharia law(trying to make it legal for a christian to be president), and many Levantine muslims just don't want it. But you have to acknowledge that there are a lot of Muslims that do want it...It is undeniable, and I think sooner or later Levantine Muslims will have to do something about them to be secular and encourage progress in the Levant.

[Scholarios]

Muslim Palestinians I'd assume are the majority of Palestinian diaspora. Lebanese diaspora, conversely, are predominantly Christian. Palestinians (in Palestine) are generally tolerant of other faiths.

but Palestinians in pre-Mandate Palestine were around 10%. Today they are around 3%. Of course, I am not sure how much Jordan plays a factor in this.

[randomguy1235]

but Palestinians in pre-Mandate Palestine were around 10%. Today they are around 3%. Of course, I am not sure how much Jordan plays a factor in this.
The majority of Muslim Palestinians today live in Jordan (Either due to coercion by Israel or emigration). I'm not sure how many Palestinians Christians live here, but it's certainly a substantial amount.

[Pontios]

but Palestinians in pre-Mandate Palestine were around 10%. Today they are around 3%. Of course, I am not sure how much Jordan plays a factor in this.

I believe those numbers are invalid. There are way more than 3% of Palestinians that are Orthodox in my opinion. That's only a little more than 100.000 Palestinians yet from the Palestinians that I have seen, some were Orthodox, so if it was only 3% it would be very rare for me to meet Orthodox Palestinians.

[Scholarios]

I believe those numbers are invalid. There are way more than 3% of Palestinians that are Orthodox in my opinion. That's only a little more than 100.000 Palestinians yet from the Palestinians that I have seen, some were Orthodox, so if it was only 3% it would be very rare for me to meet Orthodox Palestinians.

Pontios, my point is that they went to the diaspora. So of course, in Canada you are going to see a lot of Orthodox Palestinians, especially as you are Orthodox yourself.

Randomguy seems a moderate Palestinian Muslim- (like a good portion of Palestinians are- and even more were in the past) but I think what he's saying amounts to damage control here for other Muslims. There's just too much information out there about persecution of Christians in the Holy Land- only by the most medieval standards can one consider their position "good". In fact, despite some persecution from the Israelis as well, they remain far better off in Israel than in Jordan (second class citizens to the "original" Jordanites) and in the Occupied Territories, Gaza, etc. where they are Dhimmi Nazarenes ready to be punished for the deeds of their Christian "brothers" in other parts of the Muslim world. All signs show this is becoming the rule rather than the exception ever since the switch from Marxism and Arab Socialism to more religious forms of nationalism in the middle east.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Arab_Christians.png

[YeshAtid]

yeretz israel

[riverman]

majority rules.one man one vote

You must not be in favor of a Palestinian state, because sharia etc. means no Palestinian state.

[Qutuzistan]

Pontios, my point is that they went to the diaspora. So of course, in Canada you are going to see a lot of Orthodox Palestinians, especially as you are Orthodox yourself.

Randomguy seems a moderate Palestinian Muslim- (like a good portion of Palestinians are- and even more were in the past) but I think what he's saying amounts to damage control here for other Muslims. There's just too much information out there about persecution of Christians in the Holy Land- only by the most medieval standards can one consider their position "good". In fact, despite some persecution from the Israelis as well, they remain far better off in Israel than in Jordan (second class citizens to the "original" Jordanites) and in the Occupied Territories, Gaza, etc. where they are Dhimmi Nazarenes ready to be punished for the deeds of their Christian "brothers" in other parts of the Muslim world. All signs show this is becoming the rule rather than the exception ever since the switch from Marxism and Arab Socialism to more religious forms of nationalism in the middle east.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Arab_Christians.png

It's not about switching to religious forms of "Nationalism". It's about wahabi speakers preaching hate and violence. And using Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan as pretexts. The more justifications are handed to these wahabis, the more they spread their influence.They have networks of religious TV-stations, money to build mosques and to influence politics, to place preachers where they want them, more opportunities to finance pro-wahabi revolutions. Of course there also common discrimination and religious divisions, but then again, where aren't those? Are muslims seen as first class citizens in Europe or greece? Of course not.

Believe me, I'm not sympathetic to discrimination/intolerance towards any minority, but i feel like i have no influence and no voice there. People don't listen to us. People who do this, never do this openly. Overwhelming muslims are not concerned about attacking minorities.

[Scholarios]

The differences are that Muslims are increasing in these places, in number at least, while Christians are going extinct. As I said, many or Most Muslims aren't interested in interacting with Christians at all- let alone threatening or killing them. However, remind me again what percentage of Pakestinians voted for Hamas- a group that is excelerating the extinction of their Nazarene brothers and sisters. This may be a consequence if the rise of Wahhabism, as you said. These are not the days of Arafat and George Habash.