success. There are thousands of converts from Islam to
Christianity in the Middle East and elsewhere in the Islamic
world, yet most keep their conversions secret. Otherwise,
their lives and those of their families would be in danger.
- Is it true that Christians living in an Islamic state
must pay a special tax?
Yes, the Koran speaks of the jizya, a special
taximposed on nonMuslims: ‘‘Fight those who believe not
in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which
hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor
acknowledge the religion of Truth, [even if they are] of the
People of the Book, until they pay the jizya with willing
submission, and feel themselves subdued’’ (Sura 9:29).
According to Islamic law, the jizya is required from People
of the Book (that is, Jews and Christians); laws governing its
collection have sometimes been applied to all nonMuslims.
Christians have to pay for their own protection and pay
extra taxes on their property. These taxes apply only to
Christians. No such tax applies to Muslims.
The fact that Christians have to pay for their protection in
Islamic states is tantamount to extortion. Islamic theology
categorizes Christians living in Islamic states asAhl Al
Dhimmi: people under Islamic security or special protection.
If one does not pay, he has no protection. The word dhimmi
derives fromdhema, which means ‘‘blamed, dispraised, or
censured.’’
The second tax that Christians must pay according to
Islamic law is the property tax. Some Islamic states do not