Bern, December 05: The success of Switzerland’s rightists to ban the building of mosque minarets would spill over Europe and encourage right-wing parties to seek more restrictions on Muslim minorities in the West, Muslim leaders have warned.
“The Swiss ban would encourage rightists in other countries to take similar steps,” Dr. Nadeem Elyas, Chairman of the Higher Council for Muslims in Germany, told.
Swiss voters last week backed an initiative by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to ban mosque minarets in the country.
“The ban has been cheered by Europe’s right-wing parties,” Yahia Bouyafa, chairman of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in the Netherlands, said.
“(Following the ban) right-wing politician Geert Wilders demanded a similar ban on minarets in the Netherlands.”
The Swiss minaret ban has sparked calls by right-wing parties in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy to hold similar votes on minaret constructions.
“We hear voices demanding similar referendums,” Ali Ali Abu Shwaima, the leader of the Islamic Center in Milan, citing efforts by the right-wing Northern League to seek a similar ban on minarets in Italy.
European Muslim leaders lamented that the Swiss ban reflects the rise of the right-wing across Europe.
“It is a grave sign on the rise of the rightists,” Elyas said.
“It also reflects the indifference of many classes in European societies to what is going on in their societies.”
Mahmoud Khalfi, chairman of the Islamic Association of Sweden, agrees.
“There is a growing drive against Islam across Europe,” he said, saying the minaret ban reflects a hidden hatred to any Islamic symbol in Europe.
Wise Response
Muslim leaders urged European Muslims to take the initiative to clear misconceptions about their faith.
“European Muslims don’t exert enough efforts to show the true and tolerant image of Islam to European societies,” Abu Shwaima said.
The Italian Muslim leader blamed wrong behavior by some Muslims for tarnishing the faith image.
“This plays into the hands of the right-wing to fuel anti-Muslim campaigns.”
Muslim leaders listed a number of steps for European Muslims to help contain the fallout of right-wing campaigns.
“Muslims should abide by the tenets of Islam, close their ranks and give up acts that tarnish the image of the faith,” Bouyafa, chairman of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in the Netherlands, told.
He also called on Muslims to hold dialogue with NGOs and civil society organizations in the West to help show off their faith.
“Muslims should also seek the support of religious and rights organizations to defend the rights of the religious minorities,” he said.
Khalfi, chairman of the Islamic Association of Sweden, agrees.
“Muslims should exercise self-restraint and work to show the bright image of the faith,” he said.
The Swedish Muslim leader urged Muslim minorities across Europe to expose the negative aspects of the anti-Muslim campaigns by the right-wing.
“This would help win Muslims the sympathy of their societies and help isolate the right-wingers.”
European Muslim leaders urged the Islamic world to provide help to Muslim minorities across Europe.
“We ask Muslim countries and peoples to wisely deal with the issue and not to leave European Muslims deal with the situation by themselves,” said Elyas.
Khalfi, the Swedish Muslim leaders, echoes a similar call.
“Muslim countries can act to highlight the need to protect the rights of the minorities,” he said.
“Muslim countries can also underline that such anti-Muslim initiatives leave the European economic interests at risk.”
-Agencies