One can only hope that out of the lively debate it has ignited around the world, and above all within Switzerland itself, some solutions will emerge.Economic fears, concerns about immigration and basic xenophobia are undoubtedly among the factors that fuelled the yes vote in Switzerland. But this is no random racism. Sikh symbols or Buddhist temples never seem to generate the same controversy as Muslim headscarves and minarets.
Examining the fears that lie behind gut reactions is crucial before effective strategies to combat them can be developed. Condemning discrimination is only a first step, which has to be followed by concrete measures to address the concerns that were raised. Why does Islam appear so frightening?
For people like me and my foreign colleagues who have lived in Muslim societies for many years, Muslims are the friends, neighbors, colleagues we encounter in the course of our everyday life.
Many Westerners who have less exposure to the outside world and do not interact with Muslims regularly view Islam largely through shocking headlines in newspapers. The sept. 11 attacks marked a watershed, which has been followed by a steady drip-drip of shocking stories. People stoned in Somalia, women flogged for wearing trousers in Sudan or banned from driving in Saudi Arabia, to cite just a few examples, have all contributed to creating a negative image for Islam as a whole. Incidentally, these perceptions are not limited to Europe; they are often reflected in the political debate here in Turkey as well.
Media sensationalism may be partly to blame, but, as we all know, peaceful people going about their daily lives without bothering anyone rarely make front-page news. The events that do, however, reflect an extremist interpretation of Islam have unfortunately come to represent the religion in the eyes of many uninformed Westerners.
How else can one explain that while the burqa is almost unknown in Switzerland, it was chosen to figure prominently on the posters urging citizens to support the ban on minarets? No matter how well integrated the local Muslim community may be, many Europeans look beyond benign symbols of religion, such as the minaret, and see the Taliban, executions by stoning and widespread attacks on women’s basic rights.
We all know that these human rights violations do not represent Islam as a whole, but we cannot deny they do take place. Moderate Muslims have so far failed to counter their impact in the West.
It is always easier to spot double standards in other cultures than in your own. Westerners are more inclined to see the damage caused by the Taliban’s hard-line approach than the impact on civilians of their own policies in Afghanistan, for instance. Similarly, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan can condemn excesses committed by Israelis against Palestinians while appearing blind to the horrors of Darfur.
Micheline Calmy-Rey, Switzerland’s foreign minister, has asked her Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoğlu, to help foster dialogue and better understanding. Turkey is well placed to play a role in bridging cultural differences, but in order to play it effectively it must also be willing to address discrimination at home and elsewhere in the Muslim world.
Self-righteousness or a blame game of “your discrimination and human rights violations are bigger than mine” can only serve to reinforce prejudice and widen the gap. In the face of increased polarization, no one can afford to be complacent. Democrats of all backgrounds must work together to fight discrimination and human rights violations wherever they occur.
