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Is banning Islamic symbols the right thing to do?
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In www.sphere.com (listed on AOL News) there was a report that is particularly disturbing to the spirit of tolerance in Europe and throughout the western world. The little country of Switzerland has voted to ban the building of minarets, the tall towers used to call people to prayer in Islamic countries. According to the article, the people of Switzerland in a referendum voted to outlaw the building of such structures by a vote of 57.5 percent. The referendum will now become law and be made into an amendment to the Swiss constitution according to the same report.
The report also went on to say that other countries in Europe are trying to ban other types of Islamic symbols such as the burqa, the all covering head to toe garment worn by Muslim women. And France in 2004 banned the use of veils and other Islamic dress in state schools.
Is seems that to this examiner that there is some sort of backlash against Islamic tradition and that there is a palpable fear of the influence of Islamic culture throughout the western world. While the examiner is not Muslim nor does he endorse the way Muslims dress and he disagrees with many of the tenants of the Islamic religion, isn't tolerance a hallmark of western culture, including the United States, Western Europe, and other industrialized nations throughout the world? Isn't the right to practice one's religion a fundamental right? This law in Switzerland was not done for safety reasons or for the protection of human life and welfare, but it appears to be a fear reaction to Islamic influence and society.
But it should also be noted, that while tolerance and respect and freedom of religion is considered a fundamental right in western nations, that many Islamic nations do not reciprocate this value. In Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, all other religions are outlawed. And many Islamic nations do not have the same degree of tolerance to Christianity, Judaism other monotheistic religions, often forcing them to pay special taxes, and posting social and political restrictions. And polytheists have been often forced to convert or face imprisonment, sanctions, torture and even death in some Islamic countries.
But just because many Islamic societies do not practice tolerance, does not mean that westerners should be intolerant to Muslims -- even if you disagree with their values, beliefs and social practices. Tolerance and freedom of religion is the bedrock of western democracies and is a fundamental human right. While fear of terrorism from extremist groups of Islam is certainly part of the reason for the fear and the backlash, Switzerland of all countries should know better.
http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/30/will-swiss-ban-on-minarets-set-a-european-trend/
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