Europe unites to deplore Swiss ban on minarets (euro elites deeply upset)

The Times (UK) ^ | 11/30/09 | Charles Bremner

[TigerLikesRooster]

November 30, 2009

Europe unites to deplore Swiss ban on minarets

Charles Bremner in Paris

The Swiss and European establishment united today in deploring yesterday's decision by Swiss voters to outlaw the construction of minarets but conservative leaders warned that the referendum showed genuine fear over Islam on the continent.

Swiss officials, media and business leaders voiced shame over a vote that they say will stigmatise the country's 400,000 Muslims and stain Switzerland's name in the Muslim world. In contrast, hard right leaders in France, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands hailed what they depicted as a triumph for the people against the elite.

Le Temps, Geneva's establishment newspaper, said: "The vote was inspired by fear, fantasies and ignorance." Damage to the country's international standing would be spectacular, it said. "Vengeance, boycotts, retaliation ... this clash with Islam could cost dearly."

Tagesanzeiger, the Zurich daily, said that the vote, staged on the initiative of the nationalist Swiss People's Party (SVP), showed the country's deep division between outward-looking modernisers and a traditionalist backlash. The 57 per cent approval of the minaret ban would "strengthen the international isolation of Switzerland even among western nations," it said.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

Well we know the Swiss have a set. How about the rest of europe?

[jws3sticks]

I certainly hope Switzerland holds to their vote.

[TNoldman]

I support the ban in the USA. Close down all that exist.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

“Vengeance, boycotts, retaliation ... this clash with Islam could cost dearly.”

In other words, the fool is afraid of the headchoppers.

[padre35]

Good for the Swiss, especailly after the US Govt strong armed them over banking privacy.

“Modernizers”

pfft we call them Dhimmicrats in the US.

[darkside321]

yes european elitists and left wing politicians of the continent please all unite. Battle this democratic desicion in every form possible!!! because this will show every one what this people really think about democracy and the will of the people in generall.

[Rummyfan]

Swiss officials, media and business leaders voiced shame over a vote that they say will stigmatise the country's 400,000 Muslims and stain Switzerland's name in the Muslim world

ROTFLMAO!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

400,000 Muzzies in Switzerland ?

[The Sons of Liberty]

“Vengeance, boycotts, retaliation ... this clash with Islam could cost dearly.”

Spain folded like a house of cards when the muzzies staged a terrorist attack on Madrid. If they attack Switzerland, the Swiss should burn all the mosques to the ground.

[End Times Sentinel]

Damage to the country's international standing would be spectacular, it said. "Vengeance, boycotts, retaliation ... this clash with Islam could cost dearly."

Cowardice speaks.

[hal ogen]

Apparently they can still have their mosques, they just can’t have their minarets. Those are the towers that they screech their noise from several times a day, disrupting community peace and irritating “nonbelievers”. I believe Nobama said it was “the most beautiful sound...”

[denydenydeny]

the country's deep division between outward-looking modernisers and a traditionalist backlash.

So...according to the Times, minaret construction is favored by "outward-looking modernizers."

Islam = modernization. Thanks for clearing that up for me, Times!

[mewzilla]

They're not banning mosques, just minarets?

If so, are there building code restrictions for synagogues, churches, and/or any other houses of worship?

If it's a noise thing, the call to prayer issue again, are the dBs coming from church bells regulated?

FWIW, if other religions aren't regulated like this, then I don't think the Swiss oughta be going after the Muslim faith.

And folks who think it's a good idea might want to keep in mind that other religions could be next...

[RonF]

Hm. I don’t know what to think about this. On the one hand, I strongly believe in a right to religious freedom. OTOH, zoning regulations that apply equally to all don’t violate that. If people wanted to say that “no structure higher than ‘x’ meters will be permitted in area ‘y’”, then that wouldn’t be a violation of what’s in our First Amendment. But to specify minarets while permitting other structures of equal height in a given area seems wrong to me. Of course, they could also ban loudspeakers and require the “call to prayer” to be issued only by the unamplified human voice.

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

The Swiss could ban ISLAM if they want to; it’s their country!

[mewzilla]

Yeah, so? I’m just saying that the decision might not be a good idea. For a number of reasons.

[Big Horn]

Swiss officials, media and business leaders voiced shame over a vote that they say will stigmatise the country's 400,000 Muslims and stain Switzerland's name in the Muslim world

I would support the same here. along with no admittance to military, college, no guns, no drivers license and a special tax on muzzie membership.

[Big Horn]

Swiss officials, media and business leaders voiced shame over a vote that they say will stigmatise the country's 400,000 Muslims and stain Switzerland's name in the Muslim world

I would support the same here. along with no admittance to military, college, no guns, no drivers license and a special tax on muzzie membership.

[coon2000]

I think it is a great idea. We should ban them here as well. islam is as much a religion as if the bloods and cripts declared their gangs a religious group.