Perspective: Prophet Muhammad taught his followers to protect houses of worship | Nasir Ahmad, M.D.

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They claim they are committing jihad, but are acting against Prophet Muhammad's instructions that mandate full protection of Christians from any act of aggression from Muslims.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Times of Trenton / NJ.com
By Letters-Nasir Ahmad, M.D. | March 20, 2015

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing attack on two churches in Lahore, Pakistan, that left 15 dead and dozens wounded. In 2013, a similar church attack in Peshawar claimed more than 80 innocent lives.

The Taliban claims to be waging jihad by committing these barbaric acts. Have they forgotten the Quran (22:40-41) instructing Muslims to protect all places of worship, explicitly mentioning Christian churches? They claim they are committing jihad, but are acting against Prophet Muhammad's instructions that mandate full protection of Christians from any act of aggression from Muslims. Indeed, St Catherine's Monastery in Mount Sinai, Egypt, houses a facsimile of Prophet Muhammad's letter in this regard.

So, if the Taliban wants to wage a true jihad, then it must protect, not destroy, churches. Also, if the Pakistan government claims to be an Islamic one, then it must provide complete protection to all the religious minorities and their places of worship.
Lastly, I express my most sincere condolences to the victims' families.

Nasir Ahmad, M.D.,
Tinton Falls



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The writer is a member of the Muslim Writers Guild of America and former vice president of the youth auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA.



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