Will Tomorrow’s Textbooks Call ISIS “Tolerant?”

“Islamist insurgents have issued an ultimatum to northern Iraq’s dwindling Christian population to either convert to Islam, pay a religious levy or face death, according to a statement issued by the Islamic State (Isis) and distributed in the militant-controlled city of Mosul.” (“Convert, pay tax, or die, Islamic State warns Christians,” The Guardian, July 18, 2014)

This forced tax on non-Muslims historically has been called the jizya tax.  Many Islamic states, especially the medieval caliphates and the Ottoman Empire, required Jews and Christians (traditionally placed in a dhimmi status) to “convert, pay tax, or die.”

This is history, but it is not always taught that way in our textbooks.

If we don’t speak up about how our textbooks teach history today, will tomorrow’s textbooks call ISIS “tolerant?”

See some examples below. Spread the word. Support accuracy in education.


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