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This ban would never get anywhere here, thanks to our constitution.
You’re right, the arguments against it make no sense, this is being done completely out of hatred and fear.
Comment by Elan — Sunday, November 29, 2024 @ 12:52 pm
Thanks for posting this. I absolutely agree with your analysis. All right wing groups are the same everywhere — they are xenophobic and see diversity as a threat. They divide up the world in to “us” versus “them”. They portray “true” citizens as the only ones entitled to the fruits of “civilized” society or democracy and oppose the extension of democratic ideals to “uncivilized” peoples who don’t look like them or have a different cultural background. It’s been done against every immigrant group — this was the response to Irish and Catholics when they came to the U.S. Now it’s what Muslims in Europe are experiencing. There are examples of this across Europe. It’s all done in the name of secularism or the defense of democracy and European ideals. But, there’s a stark contrast to how religious symbols of Islam are suppressed in the name of European secularism versus how other religious symbols are handled.
Comment by Umber — Monday, November 30, 2024 @ 12:29 am
I voted against the ban, but still I find your analysis to be totally wrong: Minarets (as well as church towers) ARE symbols of power. By banning the minarets, we don’t isolate muslims, but send a clear message that islam is welcome in switzerland as long as it’s private and humble. I voted against because I don’t want to have a constitution that reglements such specific cases, I would have said yes if it was about to ban any religious tower. Muslims are very well integrated in Switzerland’s society and I believe it will stay the same even with a ban for minarets. Yes Switzerland is a multi cultural and multi language country (three offical languages, one unoffical, 26 dialects), we have 20% foreigner and Europa’s highest immigration rate and yes we are very sensitive to the problem. Integration works rather well for people who work, learn the language, are modest, aren’t constantly complaining and whining. No one gets a special treatment, true for swiss and foreigners.
@Umber
This has nothing to do with right wing groups being xenophobic. The biggest party in Switzerland (30%) is conservative and rural yes, but xenophobic -> NO! The initative was accepted with 57%, so 27% more votes than their potential voters!
If Switzerland is now portrayed as a xenophobic brown hole in Europe so be it. We can take it and we know we are the contrary of xenophobic. The swiss people have banned the minarets not islam.
Comment by Joe — Monday, November 30, 2024 @ 6:41 am
A native of Alabama who has worked and lived in Germany for a dozen years posted about this election @ http://schnitzelrepublic.blogspot.com/2009/11/swiss-vote-on-minarets.html
Many Europeans seem to be concerned about the Muslim influence which is growing in their countries, and I can’t fault them for that. But I don’t see how banning just minarets and not Muslim mosques, or slowing down Muslim immigrants into their countries, can have any real effect on what concerns them.
What am I missing here?
Comment by Don — Monday, November 30, 2024 @ 7:04 am