This kind of ultimatum is not widely regarded as a contravention of Qur’an 2:256, “There is no compulsion in religion,” as the person who is forcibly converted could have chosen death instead. Also, in the case of Jacques Mourad, since they didn’t cut off his head, it may simply have been an attempt to “strike terror in the enemies of Allah” (Qur’an 8:60).
“Archbishop Mourad, former ISIS hostage in Syria, recalls new martyrs,” by Jean Charles Putzolu, Vatican News, August 10, 2023 (thanks to Tom):
Kidnapped in 2015 in Syria and held for five months by jihadists of the so-called Islamic State before managing to escape, Archbishop Jacques Mourad, the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Homs, came close to martyrdom.
“Convert or we will cut off your head,” his captors had threatened him. This phrase, uttered as an ultimatum, put him – he who at the time was only a priest – “before the vows of his ordination”. He recalls, “I was in exactly this position: either I continue to carry the Cross to death with Christ for the sake of the Church and the salvation of the world, or I give up but then I also give up my vocation”.
Obvious choice
He understood that he would continue to carry the cross, “but not just to carry the cross, but also with thoughts of my captors. The gift I received from this experience is to look at these people, the jihadists, in a spirit of prayer and ask God to enlighten their hearts, to convert them. Not for me but for their salvation and for the peace of our world. This total renewed trust in God freed me from all fears. When you come face to face with death, there is a certain feeling of fear that penetrates our soul. Whenever I felt this fear, I prayed the rosary; the fear passed and turned into courage.”Time of grace
“Today, I consider this experience a grace, a grace that began on the eighth day, just before sunset.” Archbishop Mourad recounts that at the end of his first week as a hostage, he received a visit from the governor of Raqqa, not knowing that the man in front of him was the leader of the so-called Islamic State in Syria.“When I asked him, ‘Why are we captives, and what have we done wrong to be held captive?”. The Islamist leader replied, “Consider this time as a time of retreat”.
“This answer of his turned the rest of my life upside down,” says the Archbishop. He confesses that he never expected such an answer from an extremist leader at the head of one of the most bloodthirsty groups.
“Although for a disciple of Christ there are no enemies, and even if there were, we must love them,” said Archbishop Mourad. “How can you love an enemy who wants to kill you and whom you would like to kill? This is the mystery of Christ’s love that was revealed so clearly, when, on the Cross he says ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’.”
Jacques Mourad escaped in the fifth month of his detention, aided by a young Muslim man, who with about 15 others organized the escape of dozens of hostages. He said, “God wanted to save me in this world so that I would continue to serve Him to testify to the important Gospel principle: If you want peace, start by opening your heart.”
Martyrdom of Jesuit: Frans Van der Lugt
A year before his abduction, also in Homs, Dutch Jesuit Frans Van der Lugt had been murdered in the garden of his convent. In 2015, Jacques Mourad knew very well what he was up against with his jihadist captors….
mike says
rule thru fear and intimidation
why would a religion of peace
need to do so?
It’s not and never been a religion of peace
notoislam says
Islam is a lie right from the start. Also they teach their people to act as CRIMINALS AND THEY DO THIS !
somehistory says
““Although for a disciple of Christ there are no enemies,
This is calling what Jesus said, ‘wrong.’ Jesus did not say, “You have no enemies, but fi you do, you must love them.”
And as I was reminded by another poster, Jesus said our enemies would be of our own household….some could be members of family.
“carry the Cross to death with Christ for the sake of the Church and the salvation of the world, ”
Jesus said that the one who “endures to the end, will be saved.” The faithful unto death doesn’t save “the world.” This faithful course can be an example to others, but it doesn’t *save* them. It only saves the individual who dies faithful to God and Christ.
I’m wondering about “a young Muslim man, who with about 15 others organized the escape of dozens of hostages.”
Did they get to continue living? Did they leave the terror group?
winoceros says
yes, but through his example of faith, and not despair and falling away, he has contributing to the body of Christ and thus the salvation of the world. I think that’s more what it means, myself. he knew this story would be told, no matter the outcome.
I think that’s why martyrs are so revered.
through this website over these many years, I have asked myself if I would do the same.
somehistory says
I just found the way he expressed that he “kept his faith’…was kind of self-centered and not that God gave him strength and courage.
And, that he said, “Christians have no enemies.”
Christians have many enemies…as Christ said would be.
“The world hates you because it has hated me.” Jesus said that mor than once. “You will be haled before governors for my sake,” and “You will be persecuted on Soof my name,”…
Some people, such as you, may find that he is an encouragement.
.
somehistory says
“because of” not soof.
gannon says
“I’m wondering about “a young Muslim man, who with about 15 others organized the escape of dozens of hostages.”
Super Taqqiya?
maria villa says
Yes, I believe the heart of the Christian is to carry our Cross/Crosses if we are going to imitate our Shepherd and eventually be with Him …..
clem.alford@talk21.com says
What I will never comprehend is why millions of 21st century people can believe and follow the preaching of an illiterate pedophile pagan Arab warlord.
notoislam says
fear IS A GREAT DECIDER OF HOW PEOPLE BEHAVE. jUST REMEMBER THAT THE EVIL OF THE aRAB WORLD HAS NOT CHANGED. It is sad what they have done to women as well – the sone
WE SHALL OVER COME APPLIES !
OLD GUY says
The real BIG LIE, Islam the “religion of peace and love”.
It’s NOT a religion.
It sure as hell isn’t peaceful or loving.