Switzerland voted yesterday not to allow the construction of any more minarets on its territory. Here are my observations:
The polls before the vote showed that only 37% of the voters were for the ban. Someone had to be lying, for 57.5% ended up voting yes.
The media had declared that the initiative would be beaten. Were they ever surprised! Seconds after unveiling the results, they suddenly understood why everyone had voted the way they did. They had become experts again.
Unfounded fear was one reason given for the population voting against the construction of minarets. The experts said there was no reason to be frightened by the growth of Islam. Then one of them suggested that the political leaders who were for the initiative “hire bodyguards” for protection in case of reprisals. No reason to be frightened, yet they need bodyguards? Sounds like someone tipped his hand.
There are but 4 minarets in Switzerland and all are mute. There are thousands of bell towers and some of them ring, and ring loud, at 6 AM.
I do not want to live close to either if they disturb the
peace. Yet taking away expressions of worship does no one any good. Those who expressed negative opinions
about the minarets were called bigots. Others of the same opinion just shut up,
ending any possible dialogue, and taking away the possibility to convince. So
Switzerland has awakened with a hangover, and it doesn’t look like it’s going
away.