Now we've moved into an era of anti-immigrant feeling -- especially from our neighbors to the south -- as well as the fear and mistrust of Muslims. Still, we're relatively serene about it compared to some of the European countries. In Switzerland, for example, 57.5% voted for a constitutional ban on the construction of minarets on Muslim places of worship.
It's not about architectural purity in the picture postcard country, but about the latent fear of Islamic influence in Switzerland. Two right-wing groups joined forces to sponsor the referendum that reflects political concern that, rather than assimilating into Swiss life, they will change the traditions and even the laws of Switzerland.
Gabriel Piemonte, writing on The Back Fence blog, put it in perspective:
I think the minaret episode speaks to the growing sense, in Europe and the US, among groups in these countries who (almost indefensible in the U.S.) see themselves as the "native" population that "owns" the country in which they live. This is leading to dangerous levels of volatility. Sadly it does not seem to be leading to conversation about how nations grow and change. For example, should the anti-Muslim sentiment in Europe develop into a rejection of all non-Christians? If you don't go to church and believe the Bible, should you leave Europe? It would be a pretty roomy place.We in the U.S. have a little breathing time before immigration gets the spotlight again -- after we fix health care, jobs, Afghanistan, and the economy -- and until Lou Dobbs finds a new pulpit.
On the other hand, there are extremely conservative beliefs among Muslims that fly in the face of the important humanistic traditions of Europe, and there has been some fear of Muslims (and other cultural factors) preventing European countries from integrating these new European citizens into that tradition. We are similarly challenged, but I think the problem in the U.S. is that a coarse materialism has replaced serious ethical and moral concerns so completely that it is hard to say what the tradition we embrace that would integrate immigrants more effectively is. Consumerism just won't do the trick.
Actions like prohibiting the construction of minarets will only draw the Muslims more completely into their own insular worlds and reinforce any sense they have of being a repressed minority.
But sooner or later we will have to face these questions too.
Ralph
Here's in interesting response on TheBackFence from Pete Zimmerman:
ReplyDeleteI am conflicted on the minarets-in-Switzerland bit. I think banning normal architecture for a mosque is silly and petty, but I understand the undercurrents in European society that want to stick a finger in the eye of the militant Islamic faction, even if it catches all Muslims.
My wife (a native Swede) and I have debated this endlessly, and finally come to a conclusion with which we are comfortable: If people immigrate to a country with an established culture, they should have come because they want what the country has to offer, and not just a paycheck. A culture. Immigrants ought to try to assimilate and not remain in ghettos where the old customs and old language predominate. In particular, they should not seek to inflict some customs on the receiving society; among these I include female circumcision, multiple wives, honor killings, forced marriages, wearing of a veil in contravention of law and custom, and trying to get religious/tribal law included in the civil law system of the receiving country. Nor should they seek to operate a parallel judicial system except for purely civil-religious matters such as conversions and marriages/annulments (not divorces). They should respect constitutional guarantees of the receiving society.
In short, if John Doe immigrates to Denmark, he should have the general intent of becoming Danish or not, at least, being in conflict with that which makes Denmark a culture and society. When one looks at Islamic society in, for example, the UK and Denmark, it is hard not to oppose much of what that group does.
I say this as a former resident of Londonistan.
-pete