The number of Muslims in France is growing day by day.
In Switzerland, members of the right-wing party, which is the largest party in the Swiss Parliament, recently voted to ban minarets all over the country. The members were arguing that the minarets are signs of an “aggressive Islam” and that their religious symbolism goes against the Swiss constitution.
Last time I checked, racism, along with “religious symbolism” was also not part of the Swiss constitution. But, I guess now, it’s a new addition. After all, the Muslim population in Europe is rapidly rising and their influence is increasing along with them. An influence that Europe is obviously terrified of. But, this fear comes from a lack of understanding and awareness. And, when people are ignorant of something, they often tend to fear it.
Well, the real reason behind the ban on minarets is apparent. The right-wings of Switzerland are afraid of the growing Muslim population all over Europe. If they allowed Muslims to parade all over Europe and build their mosques with their elaborate Islamic architecture, then Switzerland might actually start attracting more Muslims. In fact, these Muslim “terrorists” might just get a little too comfortable and invite their “terrorist” friends from other countries. And, voila. There you have it. Switzerland would be swarming with “terrorists.” Comfortable “terrorists” who will produce more little “terrorists” that will enjoy living in the icy Swiss mountains and thus, stay for good.
On a more serious note, is all this really fair? To me, this is a human rights issue. It is not just something that Muslims should be upset with. It is something that people from all beliefs should truly be concerned about. Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and Atheists should all be offended from such a ban because it is a underhanded threat to freedom of religion.
Regarding the issue, a member of parliament for the Swiss People’s Party actually said: “We have our civil laws here,” insisted Mr. [Oskar] Freysinger. “Banning minarets would send a clear signal that our European laws, our Swiss laws, have to be accepted. And if you want to live here, you must accept them. If you don’t, then go back.”
My questions to Mr. Freysinger, is this: Go back where, exactly? Are you telling the Swiss Muslims to go back too? Because there are many Swiss Muslims who are not immigrants. Also, what about immigrants who have the Swiss nationality? Is this not blatant racism? How is this acceptable? What’s next? Are Christians not going to be allowed to build domes on their churches from now on since Switzerland is worried about “religious symbolism?”
Switzerland, which prides itself in being a secular state that gives freedom to its citizens to worship whatever they may please, is clearly contradicting the fundamental values that their country is based upon. How do you allow people to worship freely, yet your policies force Muslims to worship in old, unused factories or underground garages?
With their reasoning behind the banning of minarets, the right-wing members of the parliament are clearly sending a message of hate, racism, and ignorance.
Instead of objecting to the fact that Minarets are being banned in Switzerland, Muslims and Human Rights Activists all over the world should create awareness about the situation. We should discuss the real reasons behind the decision. We should question why such bans are taking place, because behind these political decisions there is more than the eye can see.
Tags: european muslims, islam, islamic architecture, minarets, muslims in europe, muslims in france, oskar freysinger, right-wing swiss parliament, swiss elections, swiss parliament, swiss parliament elections, swiss right-wing party, switzerland
Thank you Reem for this blog! It was very interesting to read from a “muslim point of view”. As you know, I do not agree at all with the Initiative and I fully respect Islam.
What I find most interesting is, that “everyone” is “so surprised”, even though more than 57% voted for the initiative, which is a pretty clear result. This shows, that there are a lot of people, who do not stand behind their votes.
I interpret this as a general uncertainty towards the topic in the population. And I do not wonder why there are uneasy sentiments. Imagine, you are a “common” citizen. You never enjoyed an exchange to another country and thus never met people from countries, outside the European Union. You never really got in touch with muslims. The only thing you know about “this other religion” is, what you saw on TV. “They have” extremists who are suicide assassins and bomb themselvs in the middle of a crowd of innocent people. They have “strange” behaviors, like wearing a headscarf. Sometimes, they even force their women to cover their whole body, because (and here the self-interpretation of the “common citizen” starts) the women are suppressed by the men. Circumsition is still being executed. All in all, in your eyes “those people” do not have the same values and principles as you have.
Maybe you met a muslim from the balkans. This person was actually pretty nice, but since “everyone” doesn’t like the people coming from ex-yugoslavia, you don’t like them either.
Now you read a flyer from the right wing party. They are telling you, that “those people” want to take over the world power. Look what they are doing to their women. Do you really want them to put up their signs of power, their Minaretts? We already have several of them in Switzerland. They do not fit into our urban image. If we do not stop them now, they soon will want to implement the shariah in our juristinction which is a big step backwards in our development.
There is a big picture of a covered woman on the flyer and you start thinking of what you know about “those people”. It’s all negative. Violence, unequality. And yes, you want to protect your values, your traditions and your family.
So what can be done to get this bad image out of those minds? We cannot expect the “common citizens” to be so open minded, and travel to foreign countries to actually meet and see the people “behind” the “other” religion. So the foreign needs to come and present itself to the “common citizens”. With this I mean, the muslim population in Switzerland needs to be more open, to share and explain their traditions, values and believes, maybe even invite the “common citizens” to their festivities! I am pretty sure, that this is the way to overcome the fear of the unknown.
Switzerland is a rich country. Unfortunately this does not ensure, that all the citizens are open minded and reflective. To the contrary, the results of the voting shows, that inter-cultural exchange and education must be increased.
Instead of drawing back I would strongly advise the muslim community in Switzerland to go out and represent the peaceful and sophisticated religion!
It seems that in the modern world religious symbolism applies only for the symbols of Islam. You said it, because they fear it, because they fear terrorism, and that is ignorant.
Being able to worship whatever you want means that you should be free to wear it, to say it, and to practice it. As long as you are not offending anybody else with your “symbols” then why should you not be free to do whatever you please??
It is not only the duty of the Muslim community to represent their religion, it is not just the job of Muslims to defend their religious beliefs, but it is our job, as citizens of this world, as representatives of all sorts of different faiths, beliefs, and ideals, to protest against those actions that limit our freedom in life. I am not just talking about freedom of religion, but freedom to exist, to be whoever we wish to be in life, and freedom to represent our identities with whatever symbols we see fit.
Serious topic here… How does someone look at this subject objectively? I honestly think that situations like these get overlooked more so everyday because of the propaganda n lies that are put out there about what countries stand for. As a U.S. Citizen and native of the south I’m sitting here reading about the possible impeachment of a city councilmen because he is atheist. Talk about being the typical victim of Bible belt criticism. I don’t see much opposition to things like this anymore and I think that we let it go so often because people have become complacent with the fact that the world isn’t perfect and that hey things have gotten better and more civilized ovee the years. I think people don’t unite on these issues as much because its not blatant genocide… No group is under attack in a literal sense. Maybe I’m way off base. Just an opinion tho. My stand in it is that people should be able to voice everything as long as its respectful to the beliefs of others. I feel that as long as my thoughts and beliefs aren’t infringing or being imposed upon you, I have every right to express.
Reem keep writing, ill spread the word about your blog.