2016 statement defending the rights of religious minorities
For The Marrakesh Declaration of 15 April 1994 forming the World Trade Organization, see Marrakesh Agreement.
The Marrakesh Declaration is a statement made in January 2016 by "more than 250 Muslim religious leaders, heads of state, and scholars",[1] which champions "defending the rights of religious minorities in predominantly Muslim countries".[2] The declaration was made in Morocco and "representatives of persecuted religious communities — including Chaldean Catholics from Iraq" were included in the conference.[3] The conference, at which the Marrakesh Declaration was signed, was called in response to the persecution of religious minorities, such as Christians and Yazidis, by ISIS.[4]
The Marrakesh Declaration builds on historical Islamic sources such as the Charter of Medina.[5]King Mohammed VI of Morocco stated "We in the kingdom of Morocco will not tolerate the violation of the rights of religious minorities in the name of Islam...I am enabling Christians and Jews to practice their faith and not just as minorities. They even serve in the government."[6]
Responses
The declaration has been widely welcomed. Some commentators called for consistent legal and practical follow through of the sentiments expressed including in the country where the declaration was forged, which does not recognise its own indigenous Christians and persecutes and imprisons them,[7][8] or in the birthplace of Islam, where there are reportedly many Saudi Christians.[7]
^Kandra, Greg (28 January 2016). "The Marrakesh Declaration: Muslim Leaders Pledge Support for Minority Rights". Aleteia. Retrieved 29 January 2016. The conference included Muslim leaders from more than 120 countries, representatives of persecuted religious communities — including Chaldean Catholics from Iraq — and government officials.
^Gjelten, Tom (28 January 2016). "Muslim Leaders Vow To Protect Rights Of Religious Minorities". National Public Radio. Retrieved 29 January 2016. The rise of ISIS and other Muslim extremist groups in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia has brought horrific persecution of non-Muslims — Christians, Jews and other religious minorities. Now, a group of Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders and government ministers from Muslim-majority countries has promised to work together to protect those minorities, saying Islam forbids religious persecution. More than 100 countries were represented at the gathering of Muslim leaders in Marrakech this week, sponsored by the Moroccan government and the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, an organization led by Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah.
^Hayward, Susan (27 January 2016). "Crisis and Opportunity In the Muslim World". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 29 January 2016. Drawing from historic Islamic sources, particularly the Charter of Medina, a contract established by the Prophet (peace be upon him) with the Jewish community in Medina ensuring freedom of religion and vows of protection, the summit will issue a declaration at its conclusion.
