Filed with 60.11.1 Islam · Related: 60.11 Religion · 60.3.1 - Foreign Policy
Perhaps this is not surprising. Most religions proclaim that those who refuse to believe in their message will be con- demned in one way or another. But the puritans’ rejectionist stance extends to life on this earth. Puritans accept without reservation or revision the traditional practice of what was known as the dhimma status for non-Muslims living in Musim territories. According the dhimma status system, non-Muslims must pay a poll tax in return for Muslim protection and the privilege of living in Muslim territory. Per this system, non-Muslims are exempt from military service, but they are excluded from occupying high positions that involve dealing with high state interests, like being the president or prime minister of the country. In Islamic history, non-Muslims did occupy high positions, especially in matters that related to fiscal policies or tax collection. It is not clear if puritans would deem this historical practice acceptable or if they would consider it yet another indication of how the earlier generations of Muslims had strayed from the straight path. The Great Theft- Wrestling Islam from the Extremists — Khaled M_ Abou El Fadl — 2005, page 212 (file not included in this release)
References
Dhimmi (file not included in this release)