Far-right groups are calling for a ban on the building of new mosques as part of a new campaign to stop the spread of radical Islam in Europe.
Belgium's far-right Vlaams Belang party teamed up with radical groups from Austria and Germany on Thursday to launch a Charter to 'fight the Islamisation of West-European cities'.
"We are not opposed to freedom of religion but we don't want Muslims to impose their way of life and traditions over here because much of it is not compatible with our way of life," Vlaams Belang's Filip Dewinter told Radio Netherlands Worldwide. "We can't accept headscarves in our schools, forced marriages and the ritual slaughter of animals."
Mosques as catalysts
In particular, the coalition called for a moratorium on new mosques, which they say "act as catalysts for the Islamisation of entire neighbourhoods."
"We already have over 6,000 mosques in Europe, which are not only a place to worship but also a symbol of radicalisation, some financed by extreme groups in Saudi Arabia or Iran," Mr Dewinter explained, citing a large new mosque being built in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. "Its minarets are six floors high, higher than the illuminations of the Feyenoord soccer stadium!" he cried. "These kinds of symbols have to stop."
However, it is unclear how the group plans to tackle perceived threats such as the teaching of the Koran, apart from holding rallies in European cities with high immigrant populations.
No support
Aside from Austria's Freedom Party (FPö), there was a notable absence of other political heavyweights during the press conference in the Flemish city of Antwerp. A spokesman for Italy's Allianza Nazionale said he was unaware of the Charter, though his party too was looking at the issue of the new mosques. Dutch right-wing maverick politician Geert Wilders, who is currently producing a film about the danger of the Koran, also stayed away.
But Mr Dewinter seems unruffled by the paltry political support: "This movement may be small today but I am convinced it will grow into something major."
Dismay
News of the Charter was greeted with dismay in Antwerp's Borgerhout, a multi-cultural neighbourhood counting over 90 nationalities.
"It's pure provocation," shrugged Said El Fetri, a Moroccan shopkeeper. "I have Belgians, East Europeans, Jews and Muslims coming in and out of my shop, there are no problems with integration here." Standing next to his counter of Halal meat, he added: "I am a Muslim but that doesn't mean that I don't live by the rules of this country."
However, another local shopkeeper, Mohammed, was gloomier: "I've lived here for almost 40 years. Me and my children are perfectly integrated but these kinds of campaigns worry me. In ten years' time, it won't be possible for us to live side by side like this anymore."
Preaching peace
Some worshippers coming out of prayer at Belgium's biggest mosque in Brussels, meanwhile, were alarmed that their place of worship was being singled out. "Mosques are places where we preach peace," said Fatimah, a student in her early twenties. "Everyone has the right to have a space to pray and be spiritual. Catholics have churches, Jews synagogues, we have mosques. This is what helps us feel part of this country, not separate from it."
Counter charter
Last week, the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE) launched its own Charter to promote better understanding of Islam in Europe. It was signed in Brussels by Muslim organisations from 28 European states with the aim to "enhance the values of mutual understanding, working for peace and the welfare of society, moderation and inter-cultural dialogue, removed from all inclinations of extremism and exclusion."
Tags:
anti-Islamisation,
Belgium,
Islam,
Islamaphobia,
mosques,
Muslims,
religionfar-right groups
Beckett,
29-04-2008
- USA
Sameer,
My God has many names, but Allah is not one of them. Emmanuel, Elohim, Yaweh, are just a few names of my God. Allah is the name of the pagan Moon-God, whom your "prophet" decided was the "only" god. Islam is nothing but a gutter religion for a gutter people! I care nothing for you, the sand upon which your unholy shrines have been erected, and I hold Islam in utter contempt. Do not dare to assume that people who have negative appraisals of Islam are uneducated. Islamists educate us everyday by terror and hate that spews forth from your Satanic Verses, Al Quran!
sameer,
10-04-2008
- india
Hahahha I can’t but just laugh at your Islamaphobia......... you guys are just paranoid lot about Islam and Muslims......so the so-called western democracy wants to deny Muslims the equal rights under pretext of your media or self induced phobia about Muslims..........stop calling yourself democratic and secular...... you people want democracy and secularism exclusive of Muslims, what a travesty and hypocrisy.........we never told you guys to follow democracy........ what the matter of the fact is there is a lot of difference between perception and reality.......so better overcome your hallucination and do a reality check about Muslims.....if Muslims and Islam are so bad then why is it that many westerners are embracing Islam......... you guys are scared about moral values of Islam and extremism and terrorism is just a pretext.........who you guys human rights is minus Muslim rights.......... that goes to show your hypocrisy.........you don’t even perceive Muslims to be human beings and you want to commit atrocities against us........In the history of the world it’s always been seen: the false propaganda has always been a prelude to a genocide.......prophet Md(PBUH) spread Islam throught the middle east with just 3000 casualties..... he was very concerned about human life. He took care that there is minimum loss of human life..... but look at your ways you kill 3000 innocent Muslims around in a single day and shrug it off as collateral damage......just see the value of human live we accord and what you accord........ you people know nothing about prophet MD(PBUH) and yet you hurl abuses against him.... all you know is he had 5 wives he married to a 6yrs old (which is false).... This is what is fed to you about Islam and do doubt you let of of your sanity vis-a-vis Islam and Muslims......... but we think the entire humanity as one and we all are living under ALLAH's mercy.........Allah is merciful towards all his creatures so continue to commit atrocities against us...... we have full trust in Allah we shall be patient and we don’t believe killing for we believe not even a single leave flutters against ALLAH's wish and that’s the magnitude of our belief......... you guys think of more ways to exterminate and subjugate Muslims... we shall endure for us real life is not here in this world but the life hereafter..... such our noble values... this is what our beloved prophet thought us.... when you defame and assasinate his noble character without actually knowing what his character was and what he stood for, it hurts us....He rules over the hearts of people thru his nobleness and character....That’s the greatness of ALLAH's messenger......In name of extremism and terrorism you people kill innocent Muslims and forget your sanity........ but we don’t fear you people for our proctector is ALLAH the Lord of the universe..... we seek refuge under him..........
Ruby,
29-03-2008
-
For information, please read this website about the crusades before making judgements about a specific religion. I agree with Carlos that a group of people advocate certain movement out of selfish agenda rather than because of religion per se. http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/christian/blfaq_viol_crusades.htm
Salem,
25-03-2008
- UAE
Hi All, Some comments are really sily and blind...Im muslim working in UAE with christians and hindou and even atheists..they all celebrate their occasions in big churches..recently a big church opened in Abu Dhabi..and stil some talking about slaughtering christians..maybe he thinks palestenians are christians... Do one thing if u dont like muslims to live in Euripean countries..just get out from our lands and widraw your military troops from Afghanistan and Iraq and lebanon...remove your bases from the middle east...get your hand off our oil... We have enough sources to live with...and we dont need yours. But are u able to live without muslim sources ?
I doubt !
Becket,
10-02-2008
- USA
Human Rights???? Human Rights??? I am sick and tired of Islamic apologists glossing over all of the human rights violations Muslims perpetrated against Muslims in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Pakistan. Within the past year or two, a man in Afghanistan was executed for converting to Christianity. What kind of messages does this send the west? Do you really think we will have a sympathetic view of you or your "religion of hate?" Do you really think we will tolerate Sharia Law in our Western lands? The single most threat to western culture is not secularism, which I abhor. It is the encroachment of Islam and its medieval codes. And you say Christians and Jews live comfortably in Muslim lands? Really? Is that why hundreds of thousands of Christians and Jews fled Iraq and Iran from the 1950s to the 1970s? Is that why Palestinian Christians fear living amongst their Muslim neighbors. Is that why Churches are vandalized in Muslim Palestinian quarters. Please, there is plenty of information available to us in the West. Our news organisations are not censored. We do not only have to listen to Al Jazeera! Muslims go home! Or you will be led home!
Ryan Sultan,
06-02-2008
- Brunei
All of christians said that they love peace and spread wishes to all of the world. But..., why you make Anti-Islamisation campaign ? When christians as minority in moslem country, they will save. But....why ..... when moslems as minority in christian country, we're unsaved ???? I think it opposite with the human right that you have spread.
Rauf Abbasi,
03-02-2008
- Pakistan
I agree with Carlos Borjal (USA) and Stef from Canada on what they have said. I think before commenting on any religion or sect or culture one must know that you are educated and civilized not idiots. Without having knowledge of anything about Islam one must now comment on its philosophy or prophet. Speially don't say thank you I am not interested to learn about Islam, it highlights your strong sense of ittiteracy and vulgarity not civilization. Second point is all the Christians are living peacefully in all Islamic countries and practicing their religion freely. No one is banning anything. They are also building their Churches in all over the world, no one is restricitng them, if someone disagrees can quote any example. I don't say it's happening perfectly, and they may be certain places where they will find difficulty as Muslim also find it difficult to build mosque in many parts of the world. I would simply request to be human, civilized and educated while commenting. If you think Torrence(UK) is ignorant of the fact that Prophet never married a girl of 6 year old and it's not in Quran. I am Muslim and read the Quran, you are not the one who can interpret the Islam or Quran. You are misguided gentleman. I respect your religion I respect Prophet Jesus Christ but I am really sorry to read these words about my prophet, I think you should know the manners before you comment anyone's prophet. There are good and bad in every religion and society so I advise you to be from good segment of the society. I know many people around the world and found majority good. I think let the religions compete freely and whichever will be true will overcome others. Regards
Dr. Roomee Panhwar,
31-01-2008
- Pakistan
Beside these comments and the news all together with the real facts & figures available with international organizations, there is much more to to relate. In past their has been wars fought between different groups and one can not highlight only one side of the picture.
One always follow personal aspiration. In present day world, such news have hidden aims and purposes behind for those who have threats within. Those who don't want to disclose their cruel aims, practice like this way by threatening specific groups and propagate only what is suitable for their aims. Not even knowing the aftermath.
When it comes to freedom, its for all, this is twenty first century, the western world has imposed all their tools to hold their position, like WTO etc, what now , after attacking innocent people in Muslim world, what has done by the generations in Philistine, countries in central Asia and in other regions.
After all the western claims and aggression, the religion of peace and the followers always wanted & restored peace, and for the sake of humanity and equality among all, Muslims, the followers of Islam always want help from the only supreme power on who all other religions do believe and have faith. to make a peaceful world a safe place for mankind, where all together live with harmony and also happily.
Talk about equality and Promote it by tolerance controlling over personal aggression.
A healthy talk will become a resolution and the very truth can only bring peace.
God Bless us all. God Bless Our World. God Bless world's future.
Stay in Peace
Best Regards
Imran Hafeez Panhwar
Sandra,
24-01-2008
- Nederlands
Religious freedom in moslim countries do not exist, especially for Jews and Christains. So why should we in the West put up with all these mosques being built when we know that Islam hates Jews and Christians? I don't know about any of you, but I am getting mighty tired of the poor me attitude by hypocritical moslims when in fact Christains and jews are being slaughtered in Islamic countries.
Cole,
23-01-2008
- UK
The thing is - even those who do not agree with the far-right position on many issues will find that they agree with them on the issue of Islam in Europe or the West. The trouble with the far-right being the first to so-called stand-up to Islam is that it can be interpreted as being an issue which is the exclusive domain of the far-right. The case is clear, there is little or no religious freedom is the Islamic world, even in so called moderate Islamic countries, such as Egypt and even Turkey, Christians are less protected citizens. In most Islamic countries it is a crime to not be Muslim, and other religions are barely tolerated. In the Maldives, under a recent ruling, unless a Maldivian is a Muslim they will lose their citizenship. At the same time – mosques are being built all across Europe. It is right to say stop mosque building until there is more freedom of religion in the Muslim world? And since Muslims see the non-Muslim world as the ‘realm of war’ [dar al-harb], could not the building of mosques be seen as an act of war? There are more and more calls for those with more moderate views to deal the subject of Islam. No doubt there is a problem and there is no amount of PC smoothing over, that is going to do away with this sentiment. And we don't want to 'learn more about Islam and the Koran' thank you. Islam is a religion and therefore should - follow the same rules as every other religion/social organisation within the EU.
Just Say No,
22-01-2008
-
It is well documented that these mosques are well funded by extra-national political and economic interests that have no concern for the well-being of the host countries or their native populations. They are cultural, economic and political pillboxes from which to launch a war of supremacy in all its' dimensions upon the host countries.
Crispin Waugh,
21-01-2008
- Canada
So people like William Moore applaud and support the 'movement' of the Far-Right for their anti-Islamic stand? Ah, so human rights, free speech and equality for humankind are the noble principles that the Far-Right stand for? Josef Goebbels would have been proud. When the new settlers to the Americas, as Moore's ancestors probably belong to, caused the genocide of 14 million Amerinds, where were those noble principles then? Ah, Bill, any port in a storm. Any means justifies the end. What hypocrisy.
Thomas Sommer,
20-01-2008
- USA
Hey Carlos Borjal and Stef, two things, Anti-Islamistation really, really, truely IS a religious issue and would you prefer to live under islamic societies either of you. Carlos, the USA has been too generous to people from the other side of the Rio Grande and you must know that. Our socio-economic realities are that the west is turning into a third world reality, thanks to all this wonderful diversity. And dear Canadian Stef, have you been bullied into submission lately? You are the idiot.
Thomas Lane,
20-01-2008
- USA
I am sickened by the power wielded by Islam in the west. The Islamists use our democratic institutions and rule of law to gain leverage and power within our cultures. To call the Freedom Party far-right is a travesty. Why is it far-right to be conservative and desirous of retaining one's own culture??? The Arabs certainly claim the right to retain their culture. Why should we acquiese to them? What makes their culture so more important than their host cultures? Critism against them is much different that what Hitler did to the Jews. The Jews did not seek to erradicate western culture. Militant Islam and Islamic ghettos must not be tolerated in Europe if Europe is to survive. The EU is playing a fools game if it thinks Europe can assimilate these people, because assimilation is the choice of the immigrant. Muslims view the west with contempt. To allow their existence in our culture is suicide.
Hugh E Torrance,
20-01-2008
- England
The false prophet Muhammad actually married a six-year-old girl...it's in the Qur'an...
