Intelligence Squared - The Swiss have voted to ban the building of minarets. We should applaud them

View
Add this briefing to your playlist
Download

The Swiss have voted to ban the building of minarets. We should applaud them

The Swiss ban on the construction of minarets is another flashpoint in the conflict between Europe and the Muslims who live on the continent. And this wasn’t simply the work of the far-right; the Swiss voted for the ban in a national referendum. Some say that minarets proclaim the superiority of Islam, while others maintain that they blemish the alpine landscape. Are these valid objections, or has a traditionally tolerant country descended into religious bigotry?

Our Debate of the Day, a For and Against analysis of the week's most hotly disputed public issue, will soon be part of Intelligence Squared's membership package. If you are not already a member, join now for continuing access to our Debates of the Day and Controversies.

Share this debate

user comments

June Hale
Why do we assume 'the Establishment' take the contra view? It may embarrass Switzerland on the international stage, but that's another matter.
Stephen Wheeler
Why are churches, mosques and temples identifiable from a distance? There are many answers, but two are pertinent here: 1 - They advertise the religion in question. They broadcast, in other words, the dogma of that religion - proclaiming it in full and in a one-way (no argument allowed), and public, way 2 - They are a public statement of intent. They say, in effect, 'we are here, and we are staying'. Either one of those reasons would completely negate the argument that the building of minarets is irrelevant in an argument over identity and culture. If I planned to erect a house decorated with pigs in Saudi Arabia would they complain along the same lines.
Stephen Wheeler
I am confused: - I thought this was about the Swiss community? - The christian cross IS a sign of the Spanish Inquisition - and of the Crusades...
Graham Harris
I think when we view actions such as this by a majority of voters, we should at all times use the comparritive test of what would be the situation in a Muslim country such as Saudi Arabia for instance. the fact that for a woman even trying to dress in a "Western" way would not only be frowned on but severely punished, I won't even go down the route of trying to build a new church (with or without a steeple and cross. So as the adage goes, when in Rome.....
Fatima majoka
Ir's true that Muslim's can easily adapt mosque styles and architecture to the local one. As for Mr.Harris, if saudia or any other such country is showing bigotry or fundamentalism it's up to neutral countries and educated people to show tolerance, so then they can proudly point out their own tolerance and acceptance.