If there is anything my faith teaches me its that God is able t take the bad and use it to build good. Redemption its called in Christianity, and of course the concept is Jewish on its roots. So I am happy to see that the dreadful decision in Switzerland to ban the building of Minarets is bringing together a huge outcry from the Jewish community at the way Muslims are being treated here. That must be good news.
We can all stand together on this.
The Jewish Board of Deputies here made an announcement on Wednesday:
BOARD EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN AT THE OUTCOME OF SWISS MINARETS VOTE
2 December 2009 – The Board of Deputies of British Jews is gravely concerned about the results of the recent referendum in Switzerland, which opposed construction of minarets.
Any law which applies only to one faith or ethnic group undermines the drive for an equal, inclusive and tolerant society. We do not seek to interfere in the affairs of other countries but must condemn intolerance wherever it occurs. Swiss Muslims should be made to feel at home in Switzerland, just as we hope that Muslims, Jews and other minorities in this country should be allowed to practise their faiths freely and without restraint.
Discriminatory laws like a ban on minarets are likely to alienate, rather than ease integration. They also give succour to the unacceptable politics of unlimited hate being peddled around Europe by right-wing extremists. In our own country, we have seen the continuing victimisation of Muslims and other minorities by these groups. These have ranged from intimidatory protests outside mosques, to cemetery desecrations, to arson attacks, and even to murder. The Board of Deputies is appalled by such developments and stands with the vast majority of British society who condemn them.
The Jewish Chronicle reports this, as well as the condemnation of the decision by Swiss and New York Jews: Jewish groups criticise Swiss minaret ban
On the Swiss:
The Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities has been vocal against the ban. Dr Herbert Winter, its president, said: “As Jews we have our own experience. For centuries we were excluded: we were not allowed to construct synagogues. We do not want that kind of exclusion repeated
And from New York:
The New York-based Anti-Defamation League echoed the sentiments of the Board, and said in a statement: “This is not the first time a Swiss popular vote has been used to promote religious intolerance. A century ago, a Swiss referendum banned Jewish ritual slaughter in an attempt to drive out its Jewish population.
“We share concerns that those who initiated the anti-minaret campaign may now try to further erode religious freedom through similar means."
In France: Rabbi urges more tolerance for Muslims in Europe
Opening synagogues, mosques and churches to leaders and members of different faiths would help “fight prejudices,” he suggested. He said some of the tolerance building should be done "in Muslim countries,” as well as in Europe.
And in fact Rabbi's from across Europe condemned the decision during a meeting in Moscow yesterday: European rabbis condemn Swiss minaret ban
During Moscow summit members of Conference of European Rabbis issue censure of Swiss referendum results endorsing ban on construction of minarets. 'Europe cannot beat radical Islam by knocking down minarets; moderate elements should be supported,' Rabbi Aba Dunner says
Meanwhile of course the Muslims are upset, but the response of an influential Islamic scholar in Qatar is very encouraging: Swiss Muslims urged to seek removal of ban on minarets.
While expressing condemnation of the decision his words to Swiss Muslims are ones that we all should applaud:
“Consider yourself as an integral part of the society you live in; be loyal, honest and sincere to your country of domicile. You should work hard and be perfect in whatever work you do for the sake of the progress and betterment of that country. Do not be upset by those who want to antagonise and frustrate you. Indeed you should try to reason with them in a calm and composed manner. Be tolerant and patient whenever you feel hurt and let down.
Let the words of restraint be heard all over Europe where already similar attempts to ban mosques, minarets and Islamic Architecture are emerging:
“The IFU is of the view that this decision, irrespective of the fact that it has been taken on a majority vote, is a new form of animosity against Islam and Muslims in Switzerland. The rest of Europe may perhaps follow suit as indicated by Denmark. It has hailed this vote and announced that it will make a similar move.
“It is obligatory on the part of the Swiss government to take necessary measures to safeguard the lives of the Muslim minority against this animosity.
“The IFU urges the Muslim minority in Switzerland to be calm and restrain from emotional reactions. They should seek to have this decision annulled through legal and democratic channels. And work in co-ordination with all those local and international organisations that have deplored this decision.
“The IFU also calls upon the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to launch an international campaign against this decision and to expose the double standards practised by the Western countries.”
If other faith groups, and particularly the Jews, can stand against this, and the Muslim community can show restraint agaoinst this provocation we can only hope for good.
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