Ban Muslim architecture?
Switzerland's vote to outlaw the construction of minarets is sparking charges of racism
A campaign poster in support of Switzerland's national referendum to ban minarets.
(SALVATORE DI NOLFI/epa/Corbis)
In a national referendum, the Swiss have voted to ban the construction of minarets, prompting charges that the country is succombing to prejudice and "Islamophobia." Support for the measure was largely driven by the conservative Swiss People's Party, who argue that the minaret—a characteristically Muslim architectural form—is a symbol of a radical Islam. Is Switzerland justified in banning the structures? (Watch a report about Switzerland passing a minaret ban)
The ban is racist: The referendum ought to "shame Switzerland and worry Europe," says the editorial board of The Guardian. It was an instance of nation's characteristic "Alpine distrust of outsiders" lapsing into into explicit "racism." The vote will harm the country and tarnish its "cherished national brand."
"Switzerland: Hatred beneath the harmony"
Switzerland has a right to preserve its culture: The "outcry" over perceived "racism" is "predictable," says Jim Prevor at the Weekly Standard. But is it racist for a nation to takes steps to protect its "language, food, religion, government, architecture and all the things that make up a culture?" Whether or not minarets are built in Switzerland "is of little importance" either way. The real issue is whether it is a "legitimate" aspiration for a nation to want to maintain itself as a home for a culturally distinct population.
"The Swiss ban minarets"
It's kind of pointless, actually: This vote "was a decidedly mild-mannered sort of protest," says the Wall Street Journal. Although minarets are now banned, "the building of mosques is unaffected." Ultimately, though, the measure doesn't accomplish much since "it becomes a very visible and easily exploited symbol of supposed European intolerance" while it also ignores the real problems around radical Islam that "gave rise to the fear of the minaret in the first place."
"Switzerland and the minaret"
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19 Comments
Posted by jennifer, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 1:35 pm charges of intolerance and racism are pretty audacious considering islam teaches that death is the cure for infidels or unbelievers. and yes, i know not ALL muslims subscribe to this. i just think it's interesting when intolerance is pinned on the wrong crowd.
Posted by nkdpagan, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 1:59 pm Christians and jews are no better:2 Chronicles 15:13 New International Version13 All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman.
Posted by Tomas, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 2:05 pm Man, nothing says Switzerland architecture like minarets. NOT. Idiots. Leave the country if you don't want to live by THEIR rules. The USA should have done that years ago, too. When you go to someone else's country, live by their rules and laws. Don't go there and expect to change THEM. They didn't ask you to enter their country! Leave and go back to your war torn countries!
Posted by SAS, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 2:38 pm If a Muslim country were to ban church steeples, would that be a victory for democracy too ?
Posted by Johnny Reb, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 3:46 pm Good for them! Ban all things Muslim! Including Islamthe entire religion, female circumcision, honor killings, jihad, suicide bombers, etc etc etc...
Posted by Boxsterguy, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 6:07 pm nkdpagan:That was the god of the old testiment, the same god of the jews, muslims..all following the old laws . 7700 animals were sacrificed to their god 15:11. We don't have to live in the old law. God sent His only begotten son to change all that....that is where all others split from left their god. Jesus has given us His perfect example of how to live in love and truth.
Posted by Aaron, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 6:36 pm I know... let's all stop eating Swiss cheese. The holes are intolerant and bigoted.
Posted by aaron, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 10:23 pm banning minarets makes sense. imagine the muslims allowing church steeples in their villages. they would NOT. islam wants to kill all infidelas, so why would the swiss show tolerance to them? what is wrong with you people who think that we are the bad guys, when they are killing us? NO to minarets in switzerland, and the USA.
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