Islamic Rebels In Syria Impose A 'Terror Tax' On Christians

In 2013, ISIL removed crosses from The Martyrs Church in Raqqa and hoisted their flags [Reuters]

Al-Qaeda Rebels in Syria Tell Christians to Pay Up or Die -- Time

ISIS leaders are invoking an ancient law to force Christians living in their areas to pay for protection

Radical Islamist rebels running the northern Syrian city of Raqqa have made the Christians living in the area an offer they can’t refuse: pay for protection, convert to Islam, or “face the sword.”

In a statement posted to Jihadi websites and signed by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-designated emir of the future Islamic caliphate of Raqqa, as well as the founder of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [ISIS] rebel brigade, Christians are urged to pay a tax in order to continue living under ISIS’s protection. The terms are simple: twice a year wealthy Christians must pay the equivalent of half an ounce of gold — about $664 by today’s market value. Middle-class Christians have to come up with half that sum, and poor Christians can get away with paying a quarter, or about $166.

Read more ....

More News On Al Qaeda Rebels Imposing A "Terror Tax" On Christians

Islamists demand levy in gold from Christians in Syrian city they control -- Reuters
Islamists in Syrian city offer Christians safety -- at a heavy price -- CNN
Syria militants claim Christians agreed to pay tax -- Washington Post/AP
Jihadists subjugate Christians in captured Syrian city -- Haaretz
ISIL demands gold to 'protect' Christians -- Al Jazeera
Al-Qaeda-linked group demands protection money from Christians in Syrian ‘Caliphate’ -- National Post/The Telegraph
Syrian Christians pledge submission to Islamists: report -- Washington Times
Syria crisis: ISIS imposes rules on Christians in Raqqa -- BBC
Radical preacher says Syrian militants should not impose Islamic tax on Christians -- FOX News/AP
Generations on, Christians fleeing Syria return to Turkish homeland -- Reuters
Syria’s Christian Sheep Among the Wolves: A ragtag militia defends the community against Islamists and the Assad government. -- Andrew Doran, NRO
Why Won’t Western Churches Condemn Muslim Oppression of Christians? -- Tom Wilson, Commentary