Jewish Groups Object to Switzerland’s Minaret Ban

[Are_grits_groceries]

Citing religious discrimination, a diverse coalition of Jewish organizations is objecting to Switzerland's ban of minarets on local mosques.

However, Jewish organizations, realizing that a crackdown on Islam could have repercussions for Jews as well, have come to the defense of Muslim worshipers, arguing that the Swiss's move was unjustifiable.

Rabbi Pinchas Dunner, executive director of the Conference of European Rabbis, an Orthodox organization, said "a war on religious freedom cannot defeat Islamic extremists. The best weapon against radical Islam is support for moderate elements in the Muslim community and promoting interfaith dialogue."
<snip>
The American Jewish Committee's David Harris echoed these statements. "The referendum result amounts to an attack on the fundamental values of mutual respect," he said.

"While there are certainly understandable concerns in Europe over Islamist extremism, these cannot be legitimately addressed through a blanket assault on Muslim communities and their religious symbols," he added.

Meanwhile, it appeared that Italy might hold an anti-minaret referendum of its own.
Roberto Caldeoli, leader of Italy's right-wing Northern League party, said, "Respect for other religions is important, but we must put the brakes on Muslim propaganda, or else we will end up with an Islamic political party."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1259831455845&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The RW groups in Europe are stirring up a lot of shit too. It's good that others realize that religious discrimination against one group could open the way for discrimination against other groups.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ah I am not the only one that made the connection

GOOD

[Douglas Carpenter]

2. kick and recommend

[Skip Intro]

3. Why would we expect the Swiss to live up to our standards, as if we would oursleves?

They put it to a vote, and went with the will of the people.

They didn't outlaw islam or any other religion. It is their country.

Here's a little of the wiki (I know) definition of minarets:

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Minarets (Turkish: minare,<1> from Arabic manāra (lighthouse) منارة, usually مئذنة) are distinctive architectural features of Islamic mosques. Minarets are generally tall spires with onion-shaped or conical crowns, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure.
Contents

As well as providing a visual cue to a Muslim community, the main function of the minaret is to provide a vantage point from which the call to prayer (adhan) is made. The call to prayer is issued five times each day: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night. In most modern mosques, the adhan is called from the musallah, or prayer hall, via microphone to a speaker system on the minaret.
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Maybe the Swiss value their skyline in its present form. Maybe the Swiss have a problem with loudspeakers blasting out calls to prayer for one religion vs. another.

I expect the reaction to this post, if there is any, to be one of outrage at my "intolerant" view. Knee-jerk and all. So be it. I don't see why the Swiss should allow one religion to dominate in both sight and sound other religions.

My $.02.

Flame-retardant suit donned.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. Meh! nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. there are a total of 4 Minarets in all of Switzerland - none of which broadcast calls to prayer

In fact Minarets in Switzerland do not announce calls to prayer.

The vast majority of Swiss-Muslims are Eastern European - most are not particularly religious - very, very few are fundamentalist in any form. The largest number of Swiss Muslims are from Bosnia, followed by Kosovo and Turkey,

There can be little doubt that racism, bigotry and xenophobia were the driving force in this campaign led by a far right, racist party. Here is one of their popular posters:




In the lead up to the vote, a mosque in Geneva was repeatedly vandalized.

Here is a leading poster used by in the anti-minaret campaign:



I rejoice that Jewish organizations are speaking out.


.

[nemo137]

6. Maybe they just don't like those Bosniaks.

Given the fact that there are 4 minarets in Switzerland and none of them broadcast the calls to prayer, that seems like the most likely reason.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Because four Minarets are not dominating a damn thing

yes, that is the GRAND TOTAL in the whole country.

This is racist, intolerant and could potentially lead to something ugly. Today a minaret, tomorrow a Star of David (there are more of those)... see the slippery slope?

[NYC Liberal]

8. That there are bigots in America

should not excuse bigotry anywhere else.

[LeftishBrit]

13. The whole point is that treatment of minority groups is NOT a suitable subject for a public

referendum.

Especially when RW media is whipping up mob spirit.

'They put it to a vote, and went with the will of the people.'

And that is exactly how NOT to make decisions about minority groups' social rights.

E.g. the Swiss also used referenda (of the all-male electorate) to decide on whether women should have the vote. Result: women got the vote in Switzerland about 50 years later than in the USA and UK and most other similar countries.

And what about California's Proposition 8?

'I don't see why the Swiss should allow one religion to dominate in both sight and sound other religions.'

Then I suppose you would also recommend that they ban steeples and church bells? And as regards 'sound', minarets in Switzerland were not used for calls to prayer even before this referendum..

[blondeatlast]

14. Very well said. As an Arizonan, I see referenda used to discriminate damn near every time there's a

General Election. Gays, Latinos, religious groups, AZ referenda has targeted them all--and scarily WON.

[pampango]

15. Well said. "(T)reatment of minority groups is NOT a suitable subject for a public referendum."

:toast:

And the concept applies to places much closer to home than Switzerland and to minority groups other than (though including) Muslims.

[surrealAmerican]

16. Agreed.

This is one of those posts that deserves a rec all by itself.

[Scurrilous]

9. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Douglas Carpenter]

10. another K&R

[blondeatlast]

11. Amen to that, I say. Good for them. k/r nt

[LeftishBrit]

12. k& big R