|
Europe – Reaction to Swiss referendum on minarets alarming |
 |
 |
 |
|
Written by Islamic Human Rights Commission
|
|
Thursday, 03 December 2009 11:14 |
 Press Release by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC):
IHRC notes that various European ministers have condemned the vote, Sunday,
to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland. Even the Swiss government
have opposed the ban. However, IHRC is deeply concerned regarding other
political responses to the Swiss referendum on banning minarets.
The Norwegian Fremskrittspartiet (Progress Party) led by Siv Jensen have voiced
excitement at the result, with other right-oriented parties e.g. Geert Wilders
and the PVV in the Netherlands, Filip Dewinter of the Belgian Vlaams Belang, and
Pia Kjærsgaard of the Danish People's Party, proclaiming their appreciation and
calling on their respective governments to allow similar referendums.
Other less powerful nationalistic parties and groups are also trying to
capitalise on the legitimisation of anti-Muslim sentiment that the referendum
and its result represent e.g. Sverigedemokraterna (Sweden Democrats). The UK’s
British National Party (BNP) had already leant its support to the anti-Muslim
campaign in Switzerland, replicating the campaign’s poster for the UK.
IHRC’s main concern however is not with fringe or overtly nationalistic parties,
but with mainstream reaction.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s party, whilst not supporting the vote have
stated that it showed the extent that Europe has been alarmed by radical Islam.
The party’s leader Xavier Bertrand stated he was unsure that minarets were a
required element of practising Islam in France.
Likewise, Wolfgang Bosbach an MP from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s
Christian Democrat Union (CDU) stated that the vote reflected a fear of growing
Islamisation, "and this fear must be taken seriously," and that to criticise the
ban would be counterproductive.
Meanwhile the British government appears to be silent.
IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh stated:
“The holding of the Swiss referendum itself was an anti-Muslim act, which should
have been roundly condemned by governmental leaders. Instead we find that key
political voices in Europe are unwilling to condemn even the profoundly
disturbing result.
“Europe has been sliding into an increasingly anti-Muslim and racist culture.
The faith based identity of Muslims has meant that they have become easy targets
for those who claim prejudice and discrimination against faith groups can be
justified. This begs the questions, which faith group next?
“If minarets are problematic, then eventually so too will be mosques, then maybe
synagogues, temples, gurdwaras and dissenting and minority churches too. We have
been down this road before in Europe. Those who believe in universal values of
justice must ask themselves now, what must be done to stop the downward spiral
of events?”
Source: Islamic Human Rights Commission
 |
