Switzerland’s recent vote to ban the construction of new minarets has shocked and angered Muslims around the world. But the controversial move also reflects a growing sense of unease among other Europeans who have trouble coming to terms with Islam’s increased visibility. This article examines the state of Islam in the public sphere of many…
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, stated in an interview with the Muslim News that he is delighted to see how much Islam has brought religion back into the public debate. British society, which has become “rather unfriendly” towards religious people must discuss religion openly, and Islam has greatly contributed to stirring up the…
Geert Wilders will not be prosecuted on charges of inciting hatred of Muslims for his anti-Quran film _Fitna’ and for comments written for a Dutch newspaper. Dutch prosecutors said that they would not take action, because Wilders is protected by the right to free speech. The prosecutors received dozens of complaints for an investigation following…
The former spokesman of the Mosque in Geneva, Hafid Ouardiri, is considering launching an initiative to help Muslims integrate themselves into Swiss society. He shared this idea in an interview on Wednesday in the weekly publication “GHI.” “We hope to utitilize the tools of citizenship to participate in public debate,” he emphasized in a column…
Islamic preachers and other spiritual leaders from abroad could soon have to take courses to help them integrate better into Swiss society. The government proposal comes at a time of growing public debate about the role of Muslims in a multicultural society such as Switzerland’s. The justice ministry is planning to submit the plan to…
