Swiss to vote on mosque minarets ban – Guardian — Racist? Stupid IMHO. Some of the most beautiful architecture on the planet is Islamic. How can there not be a Christian vs. Muslim aspect to this?
UPDATE : Swiss vote yes on the referendum
The Swiss are to decide this weekend whether to ban minarets on mosques, in what is in effect the first direct vote in a European country on Islam and the practices of Muslims.
The controversial referendum on Sunday, accompanied by a prohibition campaign denounced as racist and in violation of human rights, is the latest tussle in Europe over the limits of multiculturalism and immigrant lifestyles.
Pushed by anti-immigrant rightwing populists, it has triggered months of debate in a country that uses direct democracy for single-issue politics. The referendum has turned into much more than a vote on architecture and urban planning.
“The minaret has got nothing to do with religion. It’s a symbol of political power, a prelude to the introduction of sharia law,” argued Ulrich Schlüer, of the rightwing Swiss People’s party, an architect of the campaign.
[...]
The rightwing anti-immigrant lobby has led the campaign, but it has been joined by some secularist leftists and liberals fiercely critical of Islam. Julia Onken, a prominent feminist and psychologist and bestselling author of self-help books, last week called on women to vote for the ban. “Mosques are male houses, minarets are male power symbols,” she declared. “The building of minarets is also a visible signal of the state’s acceptance of the oppression of women.”There are about 400,000 Muslims in Switzerland, 5% of the population. Most are immigrants from the Balkan regions of Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia and are not practising Muslims.
So much bigotry in this thread. “Oh noes! People who look different and have a different religion and culture! Scary!”
Maybe the US & other nations should follow Swiss style direct democracy?
The Swiss just voted to ban minarets on mosques and this is a great exercise of their unique form of direct democracy regardless of your views on the subject. But my question is why do the Swiss get to overrule their politicians and parliament and here in the US, we don’t have that right?
Let’s bring Swiss style direct democracy to the United States so Americans can vote on the Wall Street bailouts, government health care, whether to audit or abolish the FED, or require Congress declare war before we invade another country. Read why Switzerland is free and America is not and help restore citizen control over the US government and Congress currently under control of special interests. http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/holland9.1.1.html
Let’s be equal opportunity and ban all mega-churches!
It’s not the minarets that have them bent. It’s the guy shouting across the city five times a day. They offered them a bell option but it was refused.
Buzz…
I agree. It is that call to prayer broadcast that is irritating. Ringing of church bells is close behind in my book.
In this days of smart mobile phones, why does any muslim require some bozo shouting from a rooftop? Can’t they program their mobiles to alert them when they have to stop and pray? I’m sure there is an iPhone app for that, plus the built in compass to tell which way to point.
East and West will never mix. Too many fanatics on each side. It’s time to curb immigration laws if you don’t like the influx.
Let the Swiss do what they want.
Radical Islam is a clear and present danger to the West. That’s why we have to at least keep them very busy in Pakistan and Afghanistan. What’s the alternative, you can’t reason with fanatics. Let them regroup, and they’ll be back. I don’t like the cold facts either, but there’s a shitload about life I don’t like.
#41 “So much bigotry in this thread. “Oh noes! People who look different and have a different religion and culture! Scary!””
Rather its “Oh noes! People who let their religion brainwash them to the extent that they’ll fly planes into buildings of those who look different and have a different religion and culture! Scary!”
Rather its “Oh noes! People who let their religion brainwash them to the extent that they’ll fly planes into buildings of those who look different and have a different religion and culture! Scary!”
So because a small percentage of people from a religious group do something bad we should be scared of all of them?
The ‘yes’ poster
#41 Actually the indigenous European population as a whole is getting a Darwin award. They are in the process of being replaced and the smart ones know it and some of them are upset about it. The same thing is happening to Anglo/Saxons and Northern Europeans in most parts of the world.
If you aren’t an Anglo/Saxon western European this is maybe a good thing since your ethnic group may be on the grow in which case your views are easily understood and respected.
If you are a member of one of the ethnic groups being replaced and you applaud the destruction of your own kind then you can rest assured that soon some more fit population will replace you and the other brain dead people like you.
You don’t even have to eat a bullet or anything drastic like that and don’t worry the numbers are already in and there is no way to prevent it. Your Darwin award is already on the way.
According to the Drudge Report, this resolution got passed..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8385069.stm
We’re talking about an initiative, not a referendum.
Islam is NOT ONLY a religion, is a form of society that exclude any other form of society. We must stop talking abaut religions and freedom of religions, but over social freedom, and everybody knows that Islam is not a free society. And many of us we want a free society, but really free and strong enaugh. Democracy is moore than freedom for everybody.
Thanks, Switzerland. Freedom is in the wind.
Pay, Pray, Obey!
Sound Familiar?
#54 has it exactly right.
There is a reason that the minaret towers over the surrounding area, as does most ‘public’ buildings.
Oh, time to face Mecca and pray pilgrim!
Swiss right my ass. The SWISS PEOPLE voted for this. annoying ass site you have here.
[The Swiss right wing anti-immigration party forced the referendum by obtaining the requisite signatures. RTFA. - ed.]
American conservatives mock Europe but isn’t the Right’s vision of a white Christian nation very European?
>> pdxsin said, on November 29th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
>> Swiss right my ass. The SWISS PEOPLE voted for this. annoying ass site you have here.
pdxsin,
“The minaret has got nothing to do with religion. It’s a symbol of political power, a prelude to the introduction of sharia law,” argued Ulrich Schlüer
Mr. Schluer is correct, based upon the numerous aggressively malignant impositions Islam has made already across Europe.
A word to the wise: a constitution is not a suicide pact.
.
(oops! I hit the return)
>> pdxsin said, on November 29th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
>> Swiss right my ass. The SWISS PEOPLE voted for this. annoying ass site you have here.
pdxsin,
Wow you got a think for asses.
Anyway, it was the “annoying ass” Guardian that identified this as a right issue.
Is that wrong?
Did the liberals also back this initiative?
I’d be very surprised if that was the case but I know nothing of Swiss politics.