Switzerland

Archive

European identity politics in play

Switzerland’s vote has exposed long-festering uneasiness within Europe toward immigration and members of ethnic communities, particularly those that are Muslim, says Ariel Kastner.

Zahran calls for International action to abolish the minarets ban in Switzerland

Hamdi Zahran, member of the Muslim Brotherhood Parliamentary bloc, has called for both national and international action to stop Switzerland's government from passing a decision on banning the establishment of

Swiss Ban on Minarets a Giant Step Backward

The vote was surprising to many as it is diametrically opposed to the democratic values and the enlightenment spirit that are the source of a great pride to Swiss society,

Are Swiss Alps Threatened by Minarets?

In both Europe and America right-wing politicians, political commentators, media personalities, and religious leaders continue to feed a growing suspicion of mainstream Muslims by fueling a fear that Islam, not

“Switzerland should not fear backlash over ban”

Switzerland should not be worried about a violent backlash by the Arab-Muslim world over the vote to ban minarets, says Swiss Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan.

The Swiss shame

First things first. The victory on Nov 29 for Yes-sayers in the Swiss referendum on banning minarets is not an attack on Islam.

What Does the Vote Against Minarets Mean?

In part 1 of this series, Mr. Mayer (on behalf of Religioscope) explains what a popular initiative is and makes some initial observations on the acceptance of the ban on

The Height of Kitsch

Anti-Semitism has moved from one Semitic people to another. In post-Holocaust Europe it is difficult to be anti-Jewish, so the anti-Semites have become anti-Muslims.

The Politics of Minaret

Europe is in the throes of an Islamophobic trend and gathering pace. The Swiss referendum coincides with the rise of far-right parties across Europe.

Europe’s call to intolerance

My question for Switzerland and other European countries enthralled by the right wing: When did Saudi Arabia become your role model?