UN: Islamic law is major influence on refugee law, says study

From ADN Kronos International:

New York, 23 June (AKI) - The 1,400-year-old Islamic custom of welcoming people fleeing persecution has had more influence on modern international refugee law than any other traditional source, according to a new study sponsored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

High Commissioner Antonio Guterres said that more than any other historical source, Islamic law and tradition underpin the modern-day legal framework on which UNHCR bases its global activities on behalf of the tens of millions of people forced from their homes around the world.

This includes the right of everyone to seek asylum as well as prohibitions against sending those needing protection back into danger, Guterres said in the foreword to “The Right to Asylum between Islamic Sharia and International Refugee Law: A Comparative Study.”

In the study, Professor Abu Al-Wafa, Dean of the Law Faculty at Cairo University, describes how Islamic law and tradition respects refugees, including non-Muslims; forbids forcing them to change their beliefs; avoids compromising their rights; seeks to reunite families; and guarantees the protection of their lives and property.

“The international community should value this 14-century-old tradition of generosity and hospitality and recognize its contributions to modern law,” wrote Guterres.

He said that “racism, xenophobia and populist fear-mongering manipulate public opinion and confuse refugees with illegal migrants and even terrorists.”

These attitudes have contributed to misperceptions about Islam, and Muslim refugees – who account for the majority – have paid the price, said Guterres.

“Let us be clear: refugees are not terrorists. They are first and foremost the victims of terrorism. This book reminds us of our duty to counter such attitudes.”

The study, published by UNHCR in cooperation with Naif Arab University and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, is scheduled to be launched on Tuesday at Naif Arab University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The idea that Islam welcomes refugees, making no effort to get them to change their religion, and doing nothing to deny their rights, is absolutely preposterous.

One need look no further than the Palestinians. Egypt refuses to take in Palestinian refugees, going so far as to have erected a wall at their border, which they keep locked almost all the time. And, when the Palestinians tried to enter Jordan, the King had them slaughtered en masse.

And, where in the world does Islam treat those of other religions with respect? And, if there is a place where other religions are tolerated to some extent, why is it the Christians, Jews, and Hindus are fleeing?

The answer is, because what Muslims consider to be respect for another religion is what we consider to be persecution and oppression. Their notion of respect is to subdue those who are not the same as them and force them to pay a Dhimmi Tax for their protection.

In the Western world, paying protection money is called Racketeering. In the Islamic world, apparently, it is called respect.

UPDATE: Jihad Watch points out an important tenet of Islamic Law regarding refugees:

... a cardinal point of Islamic refugee law is that Muslim refugees must fight jihad war against those who have made them refugees. "To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, 'our Lord is Allah.'" -- Qur'an 22:39-40

In other words, when the United States invited Muslim refugees, say from Iraq or Afghanistan, into our country, it is incumbent upon these Muslims to wage Jihad against us.

They bite our hands off even as we feed them.

That Islam, such a gracious religion.