Hege Storhaug, HRS
There are disturbing reports coming out of Egypt that hardline Muslim Brotherhood supporters are crucifying opponents of President Mohammed Morsi, creating a panic within religious minority communities.
Several Middle East news agencies are confirming reports that some of the Muslim Brotherhood operatives have «crucified those opposing Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi naked on trees in front of the presidential palace while abusing others.»
«It’s anyone who is resisting the new government … In this particular case, the people attacked and crucified were secular protesters upset because of Morsi’s hostile campaign against the media,» said Raymond Ibrahim, a fellow with the Middle East Forum and the Investigative Project on Terrorism, according to Al Khabar News.
Egyptian Christians and other religious minorities are subjected to this archaic form of execution because radical Muslims are following Islamic doctrine, which allows for enemies of Allah to be crucified.
«Crucifixion is a hadd punishment, stipulated in the Quran, Sura 5:33, and therefore an obligatory part of Shariah … It’s been a traditional punishment within Islam since the beginning, even though it’s not exclusively Islamic. The Romans used it too,» Clare Lopez, a Center for Security Policy Senior Fellow, said, according to Sky News.
«So, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood haven’t the option to not include crucifixion within their legal code. It’s obligatory to comply with Shariah. And yes, it’s for shock value also to be sure,» she added.
Lopez also issued a warning to for Coptic Christians to leave the country, as she’s worried that the situation will continue to deteriorate and that more blood will be shed.
«The Copts must get out of Egypt as soon as possible, for the many millions who will not be able to get out, I expect things will continue to deteriorate, just as they did for Germany’s and Europe‘s Jews from the 1930s onward,» Lopez said.