.... Muslims must also understand that every criticism of their acts is not Islamophobia (a term too widely and easily used for my comfort). First they should understand that the term Islamophobia means “fear of Islam” and yes there is fear of Islam and Muslims and we don’t seem to be doing much to eliminate it.
Our knee jerk reactions and instinct to defend Muslims, no matter what they do, is back firing. …. Our …. duty is to learn to live in peace and harmony with other human beings, which we are not doing very well. For example, rarely do Muslims take time to discuss and debate how non-Muslims are treated in Muslims lands. [AverroesPress] Read more [via National Secular Society]
Scholars from a country that doesn't allow churches or synagogues slam Swiss minaret ban Hypocrisy. That is, it is hypocrisy from a Western point of view. As far as these "scholars" are concerned, Islam is the truth, its truth is self-evident, and therefore the Swiss are obligated to accommodate it in a way that the Saudis are not obligated to accommodate non-Muslim religious observance. [Jihad Watch] Read more
Minaret message to Muslims in Europe Essentially the message sent by Swiss voters and now repeated across Europe is one that could be summed up by a French proverb: “To live well, live hidden”.In other words, you can practice your religion, but only privately and discreetly. Moreover, there is the idea that Muslims who choose to live in a European country should adopt the ways of the land. The onus is on them to adopt the local culture and the fear is that the opposite will happen.
.... There is undoubtedly a growing paranoia against Muslims and Islam as a religion. There are aspects of Islam or of the way it is practiced in certain countries that are unpalatable to Western thinking. [Arab News] Read more [via Islam in Europe]
It’s not just the Swiss — all Europe is ready to revolt Banning minarets is, on the face of it, a fabulously inept and crude means of expressing disquiet about a growing alien minority within one’s country, rather like the Malaysian fundamentalist Islamists PAS banning McDonald’s and KFC ….
It does not really get to the heart of the problem, any more than does the suggested banning of the burka in France, or Jack Straw moaning about Muslim women attending his surgery while covered from head to toe in hessian sacking. [The Spectator] Read more
France will not ban minarets: PM France will not follow Switzerland's lead and ban the construction of minarets as long as the towers blend in with the surroundings, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Friday.
…. Switzerland's referendum vote to ban minarets reverberated in France, which is home to Europe's largest Muslim minority and is building big mosques in Marseille, Strasbourg and in Paris. Fillon said the issue would be left to mayors to decide, based on urban planning regulations. [Agence France-Presse] Read more
