SWITZERLAND BANS BUILDING OF MINARETS | Qasim Rashid

It seems the very ban designed to limit Islam's influence, is already having the very opposite effect. 

Ahmadiyya Times | Article | Intn'l Events
Reprint: Chicago Islam Examiner |November 30, 2009
Qasim Rashid | Chicago


In a surprising outcome, 57.5% of Swiss voters approved a ban of all future minarets in Switzerland.  Walter Wobmann, president of the committee, stands by his 'Yes for a ban of Minarets,' poster that has been plastered throughout the country.  The poster depicts a burqa clad woman standing in front of numerous minarets in the guise of missiles coming up from the Swiss flag.

Many question this decision, arguing that it is in direct violation of the UN's International Charter of Human Rights, of which Switzerland is a member, that guarantees religious freedom for the citizens of Switzerland.  Proponents of the ban argue that, "The minaret is a sign of political power and demand, comparable with whole-body covering by the burqa, tolerance of forced marriage and genital mutilation of girls."

Factually speaking, the minaret serves only as a high platform for the Adhaan or the Call to Prayer.  It has no relevance theologically, unlike the Cross atop a church steeple.  In fact, Mosques in Switzerland no longer even utilize the minaret for the call to prayer.  Today, the minaret serves only as a piece of beautiful architecture, and certainly not a 'sign of political power comparable with forced marriage and genital mutilations.'  Such concepts have no place in Islam.

A reply received from a Swiss Muslim who attends Masjid Mahmud in Zurich stated, "Although this result is unfortunate, we are already seeing the positive side of this trial: In the last few months we have had more Swiss people and media coverage, than we had in the years before. And hopefully this will continue."

It seems the very ban designed to limit Islam's influence, is already having the very opposite effect.  Muslims comprise of roughly 6% of Switzerland's 7.5 million citizens.  The 4 minarets currently in existence will not be torn down.

Qasim Rashid is a contributing member of Majlis Sultan-ul Qalam, USA (MSQ USA).

Read here: Switzerland bans building of minarets