The Swedish government have asked Swedish Secret Police (SÄPO) for a report on radical Islamism in Sweden. “There are indications coming from SÄPO”, says Minister of Integration Nyamko Sabuni, “that violent, radical Islamism is recruiting in Sweden. Even if this is not a big problem, it can have grave consequences for some individuals.” The report…
The new year continues as the old one ended: with discussing the Swiss minaret ban and its consequences. A prominent TV talk show hosted Justice minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Hisham Maizar, president of the Federation of Islamic Umbrella Organisations and Thomas Wipf of the Swiss Protestant Communion. Starting off with a positive statement, Widmer-Schlumpf stated that…
German and European anti-Semites of the 19th century, who paved the way for the Nazis, and enemies of Islam in the 21st century employ similar mechanisms. Historian Wolfgang Benz, who is the director of the Center for Research on Anti-Semitism in Berlin, sees significant parallels between the two supremacist movements. Concepts of the enemy are…
The surprisingly clear vote in favour of banning minarets expresses unease with various causes. The implications too will no doubt be controversial. One thing is for sure: Switzerland’s politicians have underestimated immaterial concerns. More significant that the direct consequences of the vote are the indirect ones and the atmosphere it has caused. Switzerland is not…
In this editorial French philosopher and writer Abdennour Bidar considers the consequences of the minaret ban for Muslims in France. The culture of fear and of political Islam in particular is of concern, he claims. Bidar points to how both sides can act in reaction in this climate. Please see the article to appreciate the…
