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Raymond Ibrahim

Middle East and Islam Specialist

Christians Should “Convert, Pay Tribute, or Leave,”

05/30/2012 by Raymond Ibrahim Leave a Comment

Christians Should “Convert, Pay Tribute, or Leave,” Says Muslim Brotherhood Presidential Candidate?

Originally published by the Gatestone Institute

According to the popular Egyptian website, El Bashayer, Muhammad Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood presidential candidate, just declared that he will “achieve the Islamic conquest (fath) of Egypt for the second time, and make all Christians convert to Islam, or else pay the jizya,” the traditional Islamic tax, or financial tribute, required of non-Muslim “dhimmis.”

Mohammed Morsi
Mohammed Morsi – A slip of the tongue?

In a brief report written by Samuel al-Ashay and published by El Bashayer on May 27, Morsi allegedly made these comments while speaking with a journalist at the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, adding “We will not allow Ahmed Shafiq [his contending presidential candidate] or anyone else to impede our second Islamic conquest of Egypt.”

After his interviewer pointed out that the first Muslim conquest of Egypt was “carried out at the hands of Amr bin al-As [in 641],” he asked Morsi, “Who will the second Islamic conqueror be?” The presidential candidate replied, “The second Muslim conqueror will be Muhammad Morsi,” referring to himself, “and history will record it.”

When asked what he thought about many Christian Copts coming out to vote for his secular opponent, Ahmed Shafiq, Morsi reportedly said, “They need to know that conquest is coming, and Egypt will be Islamic, and that they must pay jizya or emigrate.”

If this interview is accurate, certainly Morsi would not be the first political Islamist in Egypt to say he wants to see the nation’s Christians subjugated and made to pay jizya (see here for more examples).

However, considering that English language media are currently reporting that Morsi is trying to woo Egypt’s Christians and women, to win more votes, it is difficult to imagine that he actually made these comments: one does not doubt that he favors the idea of a “second Islamic conquest” and the subjugation of Christians; one doubts that he would be so foolish as to reveal his mind now, publicly, and thereby jeopardize his chances of winning the presidency.

Then again, his remarks are reported in the context of a private meeting at the headquarters of the Brotherhood’s political party. Perhaps a relaxed Morsi thought he was speaking to a fellow Islamist who would not expose him? Perhaps he was annoyed at having to win Christian Copts over and was “venting” for a moment? Stay tuned.

Filed Under: From The Arab World, Muslim Persecution of Christians

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