ID :
92746
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 16:22
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http://m.oananews.org//node/92746
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Berlin Muslim community leader rips Swiss ban on minarets
Berlin, Dec 2, IRNA -- A prominent Berlin Muslim community leader here Tuesday lambasted the latest referendum in Switzerland where voters approved a controversial ban on the construction of mosque minarets.
Talking at a news conference, the chairman of the Inter-Cultural Center for Dialog and Education(IZDB),Faical Salhi said the ban contradicted the Western world's claims of freedom of religion.
"Why do you want to take away my (religious) freedom in the name of freedom," he asked rhetorically.
Salhi warned that the controversial Swiss referendum would not lead to bringing Muslims and non-Muslims closer together in Europe.
"This (Swiss) action will throw the us back for decades," he said, alluding to the religious rapprochement process.
"This is not the Europe of 2010 but the Europe of the 1920s and 30s," the Muslim activist added.
Salhi expressed hope that Muslims in Europe would not one day experience same fate that Jews did during the Nazi era.
"We have to get away from this bogey man image of Muslims (in Europe)," he stressed.
Salhi voiced strong concern over mounting Islamophobia in Germany.
"The mood in the German Muslim community is filled with fear because Islamophobia has reached the middle of German society," he said.
"I am afraid for the safety of my wife and children. There are daily attacks against Muslims in Germany simply because one has a beard or is wearing a headscarf," Salhi added.
The Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, Ayyub Axel Koehler warned earlier that Islamophobia had become a "major challenge" for Germany.
Islamophobia has to be placed on the "political agenda of parties, parliament and government," the Muslim leader said.
Germany has around 4.3 million Muslims in a population of 82 million, of which 2.5 million are Turks.
Confronted with daily verbal abuse and racial discrimination, Germany's Muslim community is also battling with major educational problems for their children and a chronic lack of job opportunity. /end
Talking at a news conference, the chairman of the Inter-Cultural Center for Dialog and Education(IZDB),Faical Salhi said the ban contradicted the Western world's claims of freedom of religion.
"Why do you want to take away my (religious) freedom in the name of freedom," he asked rhetorically.
Salhi warned that the controversial Swiss referendum would not lead to bringing Muslims and non-Muslims closer together in Europe.
"This (Swiss) action will throw the us back for decades," he said, alluding to the religious rapprochement process.
"This is not the Europe of 2010 but the Europe of the 1920s and 30s," the Muslim activist added.
Salhi expressed hope that Muslims in Europe would not one day experience same fate that Jews did during the Nazi era.
"We have to get away from this bogey man image of Muslims (in Europe)," he stressed.
Salhi voiced strong concern over mounting Islamophobia in Germany.
"The mood in the German Muslim community is filled with fear because Islamophobia has reached the middle of German society," he said.
"I am afraid for the safety of my wife and children. There are daily attacks against Muslims in Germany simply because one has a beard or is wearing a headscarf," Salhi added.
The Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, Ayyub Axel Koehler warned earlier that Islamophobia had become a "major challenge" for Germany.
Islamophobia has to be placed on the "political agenda of parties, parliament and government," the Muslim leader said.
Germany has around 4.3 million Muslims in a population of 82 million, of which 2.5 million are Turks.
Confronted with daily verbal abuse and racial discrimination, Germany's Muslim community is also battling with major educational problems for their children and a chronic lack of job opportunity. /end
