Islamophobia comes to Switzerland

Dear Prof. Esposito
As much as I, a Swiss citizen, am gutted about the Swiss vote on minarets ban, I do not agree with your comment that exhibits little understanding of Swiss democracy and history. Switzerland has been a place of refuge for the persecuted for centuries. This was also the case for the Muslims from the Balkans which represents the large majority of the Swiss Muslim communiy; they came as war refugees in the last 20 years.
It is wrong (and very easy) to explain the Swiss vote with primitive fear or even with stubborn xenophobia. Switzerland has a long democratic history, and it represents the successful attempt to integrate people of several ethnics, languages, and religions into one community. Switzerland has succeeded in the long term - certainly not all multiethnic states can say that.
While it is elsewhere still going strong to measure the degree of civilization of a society at the highest possible proportion of migrants, many Swiss feel quite differently. They think that living together is more worthwile than living in parallel (in "ghettos"). This conception has ensured utmost freedom for every single person in Switzerland. That's also why Swiss are not reluctant to look at immigration from the perspective of whether it fits the community with their shared values (e.g. democracy, principle of equal opportunities, equal rights for women, etc.) or not.
Of course, fears have been conjured and some might have voted in favor of the minaret ban because they see in every Muslim a potential terrorist. And that grieves me.
For small states, so said Montesquieu, direct democracy fits. Switzerland has the direct democracy and practices it with passion and conviction. Swiss citizens take their political responsabilities very seriously in all wha matters the public affairs of the community. The fact that 57.5% of participants have expressed themselves in the vote against the further construction of minarets, is an information about which one should take enough time to think.

Minarets are not necessary to practice Islam. Muslims are free to build mosques and can repair those mosques as necessary. If the Swiss are "Islamophobes" than what are the Iranians, and Saudis, and Pakistanis and Egyptians who don't allow the construction and repair of non-Muslim religious buildings. Are they Non-Muslimaphobes? Mr. Esposito, the recipient of dirty Saudi money, is a slave to his masters and never fails to espouse the Islamist line. The Swiss had a vote about a form of architecture that they thought inconsistent with their society. Big deal. Esposito's masters won't even let Shia muslims practice their faith! If Esposito is so concerned about interfaith dialogue and fostering tolerance of divergent religious beliefs, he should be spending time convincing the Saudis and Iranians because they are the ones who don't seem to get it.

the whole concept around "Islamophobia" should be revisited, to be labeled an islamophobe is considered a bad thing. It is not a bad thing to fear islam (Islamophobia) after all the fear is genuine.
Take for example Muslims themselves, the ones who recently died in a Pakistan mosque especially the ones they left behind. It is safe to say that they will think twice before entering a mosque, hence a fear of Islam.
The nations that suffered attacks that were islam related; ones where Allah, koran or mohammed were invoked. Attacks where muslims feared their religion was "insulted" .

Nations whose journalist live in hiding because of what they write about Islam. Those writers genuinely fear islam (Islamophobes).

Nations that experience "Youths" who burn tires then destroy public property and riot in the streets, their people fear Islam (islamophobes).

Writers who fear for their lives when they write about satanic verses in the koran go in hiding, they fear Islam (Islamophobia).

Cities who experience their tall buildings turn into rubble when people of the Islamic faith fly planes into them, then see others of the islamic faith celebrate.
Those people fear Islam (Islamophobia).

Cities public watch their public transport blown up by the Muslims among them fear the Muslim religion of Islam(Islamophobia).

Secular Public schools that have to accommodate Muslims foot washing and prayer rooms at tax payer expense fear Islam(Islamophobia).

So folks its not a bad thing to be an islamophobe. Its politically Correct!

John,

Again, your statement of extreme concern about the plight of the Yemeni Jews is awaited.

John,
Here is the post, on this blog, of Adin Steinsaltz, a scholar, whose name is known by most scholars involved with interfaith dialogue. Here the JEWISH R. Steinsaltz states his views on the Swiss referendum. (To the best of my knowledge he does not have 20, 000,000 dollars. Further, I can't imagine him giving it to you, if he did. No offense.)

Minarets, calls to prayer and church bells

The essential question being asked is: are there limits to curtailing religious freedom? Should the mores, esthetics or customs of the majority be a factor in limiting the religious freedoms of others?

The particular problem of the minaret is only partially connected with religious freedom: the minaret is just a common feature of Muslim architecture -- by no means an essential part of the religion. Perhaps this is an issue for the town architects, who may decide that a particular building spoils the esthetics of the city.

A different, more essential problem is the public call to prayer from the mosque. That may be seen as a nuisance by many. But if the Muslim call to prayer is suppressed, perhaps church bells should be suppressed for the same reason.

Other fundamental religious practices should also be handled with much more understanding - even if some sensibilities of the majority are opposed to them. Switzerland - among other countries - might display greater understanding of minority groups. While some State laws can be explained as stemming from ethical, esthetic or other considerations, they may still come very close to imposing the majority's religious outlook on others who do not share it.

Oh, and John, How comes it you didn't mention the Jewish leaders, that would be J.E.W.I.S.H.
leaders who spoke out against the ban?

Could it be that it might irritate your Saudi bankrollers? Or is it just your own religious upbringing?

Muslim concerns with the Yemeni Jews, John?

They have no money to give you, but they are human beings.

How about a statement, John?

Back, yet again, so soon, John? Taking a break from spending the 20, 000, 000 you get from Saudi Arabia?

So...given your (not) famous interest in tolerance and justice, what progress have you made in getting your Saudi buddies to (a) stop funding terrorist organizations (b) stop treating their gues workers as "impure," "unclean," (c) stop oppressing women and (C) killing gays, (d) stop publishing the worst anti-semitic filth since HItler and distributing it widely among MUslim nations?

And, given your "commitments,' what have you to say about the plight of the remaining 350 Yemeni Jews?

I'm just askin'

Esposito says:

“European Muslims will need to continue to speak out publicly, demanding their rights as European citizens and residents and also denouncing religious discrimination and violence as well as limits placed on constructing churches in the Muslim world.”

Many non- Muslims were enraged by this minaret ban, not mosque ban mind you.
You can only imagine their reaction to a mosque ban. Those are multiplying like mushrooms in the “lands of the Infidels”, thanks to the generosity of your friends, the Saudis. But have you ever heard a Muslim speak out against the ban on the construction of non-Muslim houses of worship in any Muslim majority society?

My hat's off to the Swiss people.In a civilized way,they expressed their preference 57 to 43.I am actually surprised that 43 percent said no.There is no doubt that Islam gets the worst press and its not easy being Muslim today and keep parroting how peaceful the religion is while its followers keep killing innocents,all in the name of Allah.

Well, what happens when you ask a good question ?
You get a good answer.
And Nobody, except few, are surprised.

Islam defines itself as a fighting religion. It should not be surprised to have reluctant people ready to stand up in front of it.

Now you have the right to think that Islam propagates a way of living which represents a progress in the evolution of mankind and therefore must not be stopped. We have the right to think differently.

Let the Swiss bashing begin!!
Forget the FACT that Swiss citizens voted in an orderly 'democratic' process and expressed their desires clearly.
And, yes, you can translate the message in a number of ways, but at some point you simply have to accept that the Swiss exercised their judgement and expressed their preferences.
So, if YOU don't like it, stay in Dubai with your money.
P.S. It's not Islamophobia unless the mosque's on your street. Then it's aesthetic sensitivity.
Actually, it's a toss up whether a mosque or a Catholic Church contains more danger to our kids.

What happens if you ask a bad question:
You get a bad answer.
So why is anyone surprised?