It was the year 1893 that Switzerland banned the Jewish ritual of kosher slaughter through a referendum with anti-Semitic undertones.
It is the year 2009 wherein Switzerland imposes a ban on mosque minarets again through a referendum with anti-Muslim undertones.
The former ban was said to have been imposed since Switzerland feared the invasion of Jews from Eastern Europe regarding them to be estranged and unreliable people. Thus the prohibition of a vital ritual was deemed the best way to impede their coming to the land.
As for the latter it is said that the Alpine people fear their identity is at stake and do not want any religious identifications to be flared so explicitly in the public. That is, they want people(in this case Muslims) to exhibit a neutral stance. What I fail to understand is how can only four minarets in all of Switzerland be threatening to the nation's cultural identity? Furthermore the applications for the construction of minarets was only two more, which were anticipated to be erected not before the next five years.
It baffles me that the Western European thinking has trickled down to such a low level that I don't exactly know how to react. Like the many opinions slated by many Muslim people around the world, it's not a feeling of anger or revenge it's a feeling of sadness and surprise. Statistically there are 30 million Muslims in Europe and they perceive this to be quite a setback not to their religious duties but to their functioning as normal dedicated European citizens. They have significantly contributed in favour of growth of the region through various professions for a few decades now. It has been asked in the wake of anti-Muslim sentiments post 9/11 that they must integrate into society more often and not alienate themselves from social gatherings where multi-ethnic, multicultural people are to be found. Here I ask, in making such an appeal and simultaneously scrutinizing every action of theirs, is it expected of them to contribute in any fearless and favourable way?
Switzerland is known for their civil liberties and secular nature. Having followed the ideals of democracy it is anti-climactical for this nation to ask for a referendum on something which goes against the very meaning of democracy. It is a precedent which now set by a (so-called) secular, tolerant country seemingly evokes the likes of many others to fall in line. Germany and Netherlands have wished to take up a similar stance. However, many people around the world from human rights groups to various other organizations including the UNO have condemned such a move by the Swiss and also call for a reversion of the ban. Most people have wisely come to realize that there might be repercussions which can be highly unfavourable and therefore have asked for the re-consideration of such a move. Adding to that piece of wisdom I say for the betterment of mankind that we musn't impose a ban on not only religious structures but also on the structures of human sensibilities.
just one question,what's your take on all this?
ReplyDeleteAs in what's your solution?
In view of the relative ease of movement within the EU and relative political stability of the constituent countries, one can say that Immigration brings into question one of the basic premises of nation states i.e., a common heritage.
ReplyDeleteIn the (perceived) lack of such heritage, the need for some right wing groups to assert the only symbols that still have some relevance to the majority of the population does increase.
Though the best way forward would have been to promote the swiss culture of liberalism and secularism. The referendum on banning minarets, as it is with any referendum on minority rights, is bound to be criticized, simply because it is unfair.
From California to Switzerland, the larger question therefore must be why have referendums on minority rights?
Hmm. The answers to the questions raised here, are neither simple nor will be acceptable to all. Minorities; religious, racial, or linguistic have been discriminated always. The discrimination is bound to continue in all probability, till man becomes perfectly fair and just in all his dealings. Or may be till the man becomes immortal, thus jettison the insecure feeling that is born with him.
ReplyDeleteOne might wonder why the majority groups have to be insecure. But, insecurity is born with every living being that is born, and that dies. And that makes everyone to take advantage of every other person, given a chance. Thus the majority always try to take advantage of the minorities.
But, at the same time, it is the duty of those persons, or nations who call themselves as developed countries and vouch for principles like liberty, freedom etc, should at least show way in accommodating the rights of minorities, rather cleverly sidelining those rights through referendums.
To me, it appears, the political leadership in Switzerland and the upheaval brought by the concept of European Union are not conducive for taking a righteous stand on the issues of rights of the minorities, particularly the issue of minarets. Hope some wisdom will dawn in Europe, more so in Switzerland, with the sun shining on the mighty Alps this summer.