Is Islam intolerant of other religious minorities?
Islam recognizes the rights of the minority.To
ensure their welfare and safety, Muslim rulers
initiated a tax (Jizya) on them. Prophet
Muhammad (Pbuh) forbade Muslim armies to
destroy churches and synagogues. Caliph Umar
did not even allow them to pray inside a church.
Jews were welcomed and flourished in Muslim
Spain even when they were persecuted in the
rest of Europe.They consider that part of their
history as the Golden Era.
In Muslim countries,
Christians live in prosperity, hold government
positions and attend their church. Christian
missionaries are allowed to establish and operate
their schools and hospitals. However, the same
religious tolerance is not always available to
Muslim minorities as seen in the past during the
Spanish inquisition and the crusades, or as seen
now by the events in Bosnia, Israel and India.
Muslims do recognize that sometimes the
actions of a ruler does not reflect the teachings
of his religion.