حسين العسقلاني
11-12-2009, 06:08 PM
Islam is a wonderful: Swiss Minarets: Complain Muslims to Allah? (http://islamisawonderful.blogspot.com/2009/12/swiss-minarets-complain-muslims-to.html)
By: Hussein Abdul-Basir
With the increasing tone of antagonism toward Islam, the four-minaret Switzerland grew to be a new stage of fanaticism and bias against Muslims through the last referendum that resulted in banning minarets.
In fact, under such an open enmity everything is expectable. What was guaranteed by the European freedom in the past is now banned. Actually, freedom has many other fields apart from adopting Islam as a religion!
Undoubtedly, Europe became a fertile land for hostility against any thing Islamic, bearing in mind the huge efforts exerted by anti-Islam thought leaders who have dominance over all mass media and inadvertence of Muslims who only consume the products of others. Examples can be found in banning Hijab in France, murdering Dr. Marwa Al-Sherbini and, last but not least, banning building mosque minarets in Switzerland.
The story from the beginning
Back to the story from the very beginning, we find that mutual relations between Muslims in Switzerland (native Swiss or immigrants) and non-Muslims is based on mutual respect, peaceful existence and assurance. 40 years ago, spread of Islam was growingly increasing in Switzerland – which perhaps was the main factor that irritated those who hate Islamic rise and dominance. According to a census published on islamonline.com (http://islamisawonderful.blogspot.com/hussein.HADARA/My%20Documents/Google%20Talk%20Received%20Files/islamonline.com), the Muslim population in Switzerland was estimated as 17.000 in 1980 AD, which rose to 65.000 in 1990 and exceeded 300.000 by the beginning of the new century. However, it is now estimated as 400.000 or more.
Along these years, no fanaticism or bias on the part of the Swiss was registered against Muslims, with the exception of very few inconsiderable cases reflecting very low percentage, based on opinion polls.
A shift in dealing with Swiss Muslims
However, it did not take very long before this very low percentage increased in an astonishing, amazing and interesting manner.
Considering the reasons behind this astounding shift of the Swiss attitude toward Muslims in Switzerland, we will find out many reasons foremost of which is the massive propaganda practiced by mass media against any thing Islamic.
Bearing in mind that mass media in Arab countries bias their citizens against other Arab countries regarding trivial matters, Western mass media bias their citizens against Islam and Muslims. We can now even see posters supporting banning minarets in Switzerland where mosques are depicted as rockets ready to be launched and explode all surroundings. Actually, this is more an actual fact lived by the Swiss than mere a biased imagination. Hence, the referendum required constitutionalizing the ban on building mosque minarets as a measure aiming at – according to them – keeping peaceful the relation among different religious groups.
Referendum to decide on minaret ban
Amidst such dark atmosphere, people being fully convinced of Islam's danger on their lives and the future of their children, a referendum to decide on minaret ban was conducted. The ban was approved by 57.5% of the participating voters and thus a ban was imposed on constructing new minarets in the country. More astounding, 42.5% of voters did not approve the referendum - a positive indicator - in spite of huge efforts exerted by extremist right wing and cooperating parties. It is, in fact, interesting that such a good percentage was not negatively affected by the anti-Islamic propaganda in Western mass media. Actually, such a percentage is apt to increase or decrease based on Muslims efforts in and outside Switzerland to change the Western stereotype of Muslims.
In fact, Muslims within and outside Europe are required to exert great efforts to change such a stereotype. In this regard, it is enough for Muslims to exert only as much efforts as they can, for we cannot even dream of exerting as much efforts as those exerted by Westerners to promote their ideas.
However, merely watching and just paying lip service will have the effect of adding to the loss.
Reactions ranging between denial and positive measures
Reactions of the Muslim and Arab world and the international community toward minaret ban in Switzerland ranged between denial, condemnation, denunciation and demanding financial boycott of Swiss banks mainly funded by Muslim and Arab capitals. Actually, the last one is the required practical reaction standing for an economical threat which will be taken into consideration by the Swiss. Thus done, the Swiss will be on their guard against taking any action against Muslims in their country bearing in mind the likely harm of their national economy.
The role to be played by everyone
There are some practical roles that each of us can play totally or partially in order to change the current situation. Below are some of them:
First: Self-reform through changing one's conduct to the better according to a practical plan so that one might be qualified for the responsibility of conveying the pure message of Islam to the whole world.
Second: Making use of all possible means, which are many, to contact Westerners in an attempt to convey to them the true Islamic message.
Third: Financially and physically backing all efforts aiming at conveying the true message of Islam to Westerners. This takes place through supporting information and Da'wah (Islamic call) media that plays such a role and also through translating books highlighting sublime aspects of the Islamic civilization.
Fourth: Giving a practical example to others through commitment to morals advocated by Islam, which is most effective. Thus, they should see only our good conduct as practiced by our Muslim ancestors who spread Islam all over the world through the truthful moral image they exhibited.
In fact, there are many other roles to be played. Moreover, any of us can, through good intention and stern determination, innovate very effective and important roles.
Final word
Once you see a minaret in the country or the place where you live, you should feel gratitude to Allah. You should also remember your Swiss brother who are so biased against that minarets raising high the voice calling people to Allah are banned. Moreover, beware lest minarets complain you to Allah. Let this motivate you to play your role toward yourself and Muslims. Will you play your role?
By: Hussein Abdul-Basir
Translated by Ahmad Abd Al-Munim
Islam is a wonderful: Swiss Minarets: Complain Muslims to Allah? (http://islamisawonderful.blogspot.com/2009/12/swiss-minarets-complain-muslims-to.html)
By: Hussein Abdul-Basir
With the increasing tone of antagonism toward Islam, the four-minaret Switzerland grew to be a new stage of fanaticism and bias against Muslims through the last referendum that resulted in banning minarets.
In fact, under such an open enmity everything is expectable. What was guaranteed by the European freedom in the past is now banned. Actually, freedom has many other fields apart from adopting Islam as a religion!
Undoubtedly, Europe became a fertile land for hostility against any thing Islamic, bearing in mind the huge efforts exerted by anti-Islam thought leaders who have dominance over all mass media and inadvertence of Muslims who only consume the products of others. Examples can be found in banning Hijab in France, murdering Dr. Marwa Al-Sherbini and, last but not least, banning building mosque minarets in Switzerland.
The story from the beginning
Back to the story from the very beginning, we find that mutual relations between Muslims in Switzerland (native Swiss or immigrants) and non-Muslims is based on mutual respect, peaceful existence and assurance. 40 years ago, spread of Islam was growingly increasing in Switzerland – which perhaps was the main factor that irritated those who hate Islamic rise and dominance. According to a census published on islamonline.com (http://islamisawonderful.blogspot.com/hussein.HADARA/My%20Documents/Google%20Talk%20Received%20Files/islamonline.com), the Muslim population in Switzerland was estimated as 17.000 in 1980 AD, which rose to 65.000 in 1990 and exceeded 300.000 by the beginning of the new century. However, it is now estimated as 400.000 or more.
Along these years, no fanaticism or bias on the part of the Swiss was registered against Muslims, with the exception of very few inconsiderable cases reflecting very low percentage, based on opinion polls.
A shift in dealing with Swiss Muslims
However, it did not take very long before this very low percentage increased in an astonishing, amazing and interesting manner.
Considering the reasons behind this astounding shift of the Swiss attitude toward Muslims in Switzerland, we will find out many reasons foremost of which is the massive propaganda practiced by mass media against any thing Islamic.
Bearing in mind that mass media in Arab countries bias their citizens against other Arab countries regarding trivial matters, Western mass media bias their citizens against Islam and Muslims. We can now even see posters supporting banning minarets in Switzerland where mosques are depicted as rockets ready to be launched and explode all surroundings. Actually, this is more an actual fact lived by the Swiss than mere a biased imagination. Hence, the referendum required constitutionalizing the ban on building mosque minarets as a measure aiming at – according to them – keeping peaceful the relation among different religious groups.
Referendum to decide on minaret ban
Amidst such dark atmosphere, people being fully convinced of Islam's danger on their lives and the future of their children, a referendum to decide on minaret ban was conducted. The ban was approved by 57.5% of the participating voters and thus a ban was imposed on constructing new minarets in the country. More astounding, 42.5% of voters did not approve the referendum - a positive indicator - in spite of huge efforts exerted by extremist right wing and cooperating parties. It is, in fact, interesting that such a good percentage was not negatively affected by the anti-Islamic propaganda in Western mass media. Actually, such a percentage is apt to increase or decrease based on Muslims efforts in and outside Switzerland to change the Western stereotype of Muslims.
In fact, Muslims within and outside Europe are required to exert great efforts to change such a stereotype. In this regard, it is enough for Muslims to exert only as much efforts as they can, for we cannot even dream of exerting as much efforts as those exerted by Westerners to promote their ideas.
However, merely watching and just paying lip service will have the effect of adding to the loss.
Reactions ranging between denial and positive measures
Reactions of the Muslim and Arab world and the international community toward minaret ban in Switzerland ranged between denial, condemnation, denunciation and demanding financial boycott of Swiss banks mainly funded by Muslim and Arab capitals. Actually, the last one is the required practical reaction standing for an economical threat which will be taken into consideration by the Swiss. Thus done, the Swiss will be on their guard against taking any action against Muslims in their country bearing in mind the likely harm of their national economy.
The role to be played by everyone
There are some practical roles that each of us can play totally or partially in order to change the current situation. Below are some of them:
First: Self-reform through changing one's conduct to the better according to a practical plan so that one might be qualified for the responsibility of conveying the pure message of Islam to the whole world.
Second: Making use of all possible means, which are many, to contact Westerners in an attempt to convey to them the true Islamic message.
Third: Financially and physically backing all efforts aiming at conveying the true message of Islam to Westerners. This takes place through supporting information and Da'wah (Islamic call) media that plays such a role and also through translating books highlighting sublime aspects of the Islamic civilization.
Fourth: Giving a practical example to others through commitment to morals advocated by Islam, which is most effective. Thus, they should see only our good conduct as practiced by our Muslim ancestors who spread Islam all over the world through the truthful moral image they exhibited.
In fact, there are many other roles to be played. Moreover, any of us can, through good intention and stern determination, innovate very effective and important roles.
Final word
Once you see a minaret in the country or the place where you live, you should feel gratitude to Allah. You should also remember your Swiss brother who are so biased against that minarets raising high the voice calling people to Allah are banned. Moreover, beware lest minarets complain you to Allah. Let this motivate you to play your role toward yourself and Muslims. Will you play your role?
By: Hussein Abdul-Basir
Translated by Ahmad Abd Al-Munim
Islam is a wonderful: Swiss Minarets: Complain Muslims to Allah? (http://islamisawonderful.blogspot.com/2009/12/swiss-minarets-complain-muslims-to.html)