The Ottoman Empire was founded in 1300 and collapsed after World War I. What if it had not, and what if the Muslims were able to establish such an empire today? What might it look like? Here is an example of what they required of the Armenian Christians in the Ottoman Empire.
The Christians in a Muslim empire suffered as “infidels” in many ways. They could not testify on their own behalf in the Islamic court system. ((Kairos Journal article, “Where Is Your Christ Now?–The Armenian Genocide”, 41. All footnotes are from this article, and the article is available only to registered users.)) They had to dismount their horses in the presence of Muslims. ((42)) They could not own weapons. ((42)) They were subject to “boy collection,” whereby Ottoman officials could simply take and “convert” their children for purposes of slavery. ((41)) And they were victims of an abusive tax system, which included the following:
1. Tax “Farming”: Tax-collection rights were bid-out, and the winners were those who harvested the most revenues, however ruthless and criminal the tactics. ((41)) (Similar tax collectors were despised in Jesus’ day.)
2. Military Exemption Tax: Christians were barred from the military and then taxed for their “exemption.” ((41))
3. Hospitality Tax: Government officials enjoyed free lodging and food for three days each year in an Armenian home. ((41))
4. Winter-Quartering Obligation: This entitled Kurds and Turks–and their families and animals–to lodge with Armenians during the coldest months. ((41))
5. Double-Taxation: Official collectors would come round a second time, insisting that it was their first visit. ((42))
6. Protection Fees: Turkish chieftains demanded special payments to withhold the rape and kidnap of Armenian women. ((42)) Rival clans could each collect money for protection from the other. ((42))
Taken from Kairos Journal, The Canary in the Coal Mine http://www.kairosjournal.org/Document.aspx?QuadrantID=2&CategoryID=5&TopicID=16&DocumentID=5495&L=1 accessed 3-21-12
