British Christians back Swiss-style Minaret ban

One of the things EU and western governments are going to have to deal with is the issue that Islam does call for the attack on others - what we are now having to do is to depend on Muslims - to put the religion into a modern framework. Which many are happy to do. However because the Koran does call for Muslims to attack and then gain dominance over all other groups - we could be facing the problem of radicalization for centuries. One of the arguments being used across Europe - and was used during the Swiss minaret debate - is that if we do something to offend Muslim sensitivities - we could face an attack by the radicals. Therefore anything Muslims ask for, demand or request they should be given - as to stay on the right side of the radicals. What the politicians are really trying to say is please back our politically correct decision - i.e. take the appeasing position. But the very same argument - for the politically correct position - could also be used for severely restricting Muslim immigration into Europe and the western world.

If Muslims could live like the Amish - and say - we have our strong beliefs - and wish live an extremely conservative life - many people would find them curious but few would bother them. But that doesn't appear to be how Islam works. It seems to need to go out and bring others underneath it - either by their conversion to Islam - or by imposing Sharia law onto the lives of others. And in a modern society where people have freedom and want to keep it - this kind of belief system is going to constantly come into conflict with it.

With all the things Muslims say their religion is - humility seems to have been left out - they should take a lesson from Jesus on that - those who humble themselves will be exalted - but who exalt themselves shall be humbled. I would say the Swiss minaret vote was a humbling for Islam. If the Swiss image is tarnished - image how much more so the Islamic world's image must be.


British Christians have taken up a call to follow the Swiss in banning the construction of Islamic minarets.

The Swiss voted in a referendum launched by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to ban adding to the country’s four existing minarets, attracting international condemnation and an examination of its legality by the UN High Commission on Human Rights.

However the director of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Minichiello Williams, says that a similar ban should be considered in the UK, and that it would not be legally contradictory to permit the construction of churches while banning mosques.

She said: “The two religions are not equivalent. Islam has jihad and Christianity does not. There is a reasonable argument to be made that dissimilar treatment under the law is supported by dissimilar religious action requirements, one’s is dangerous to civil society and one’s not.”

The consequences for the UK’s reputation abroad would likely be damaging as the C1 World Dialogue group this week issued research showing that the skewed view of Islam in Switzerland has harmed its international reputation.

The co-chairs of the C1 World Dialogue, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr Ali Gomaa, and the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, have condemned the Swiss Anti Minaret Initiative.

Bishop Chartres said: “This vote shows what happens when practical steps are not taken to address private fears and to bring communities together. We must not allow stereotypes to drive us apart. It is important that the identity of Muslims not be allowed to be hijacked by extremists. We must remember too the need for people everywhere to be able to enjoy freedom of religion and the freedom to practice their faith and we need to address this globally so that we all enjoy equal freedom of religion everywhere.”

Religious Intelligence