Israel as a Model for Minority Survival in the Islamic World

The Imperative of Christian Self-Determination

Since the Islamic conquests of the Middle East in the 7th century, the region’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities, Christians, Jews and others, have navigated a precarious existence under Islamic rule. The dhimmi system, which offered non-Muslims limited protections in exchange for taxes and social subordination, entrenched a hierarchy that relegated minorities to perpetual inferiority. While this framework allowed for periods of relative tolerance, it also sowed the seeds of systemic discrimination, leaving minorities vulnerable to the shifting tides of political and religious fervor.

Among these minorities, the Jewish people faced a particularly harrowing journey, marked by centuries of persecution in both the Islamic world and Christian Europe. Yet, in 1948, the establishment of Israel transformed their narrative, creating a sovereign state where Jews could govern themselves, free from the yoke of external oppression. This achievement stands in stark contrast to the fate of Christian communities, who, despite their deep historical roots in the region, have faced a relentless decline under Islamic dominance. From the Copts of Egypt to the Assyrians of Iraq, Christians have endured systemic persecution, forced conversions, and displacement, often with the complicity of state authorities.

The Historical Decline of Minorities

To understand the imperative of Christian self-determination, one must first grapple with the historical trajectory of minorities in the Islamic world. The Islamic conquests of the 7th century reshaped the Middle East, transforming Christian and Jewish majorities into minorities under Islamic rule. The dhimmi system, while ostensibly protective, imposed heavy taxes, restricted religious expression, and prohibited non-Muslims from holding positions of authority. Over time, this system eroded the social, cultural, and political vitality of minority communities, setting the stage for their long-term decline.