While the American media machine has been too busy describing General Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, as an ‘embattled’ ally of President Bush, events unfolding in that revered bastion social liberalism known as the European continent have your author’s attention. Oh and on a personal note, Musharraf has proven leadership experience and accomplished more than any of the Democrat Party candidates vying for the Presidential Nomination. And he is far from embattled as a future post from your author will tell you the reader what is relevant and pertinent about the bravest of all Pakistani leaders.
Just over the course of the past few weeks the country of Switzerland has seen a climatic surge in popularity for their Swiss’s People Party (SVP) one of the four well known political parties found in the country. The SVP has taken a majority 29% of the country’s parliament. Their platform is simple and appeals to Swiss nationalism-expulsion of foreign born criminals, no entry to the EU and tax cuts.
While many from the mainstream global media machine would describe SVP’s platform as ‘right wing’ or ‘xenophobia’, much of the party’s popularity stems from the Swiss Constitution’s Article 72 controversy. Currently Muslims comprise 4.5% of Switzerland’s population. To no surprise and due to the obvious correlation between some Muslims and terrorist attacks, the Swiss have every reason to be concerned. Currently only two mosques exist in their country, which are located in Geneva and Zurich. Both of them are considered defunct and don’t even hold daily prayer. In 2005 the Swiss cities of Wangen bei Olten, Langenthal and Wil blocked the construction of additional mosques. Article 72 of the country’s Constitutions lays out the foundation of separation of church and state and allows for the issue to be a cantonal. In Switzerland provinces or states are known as cantons. Part two of the article states that both federal and cantonal powers should be used together in order to maintain peace and civility between differing religious groups. In the case of the three cities and three proposed mosques, thousands of local residents came out and protested against their construction. Would –be Mosque parishioners have sued the cities and the respective cantons. The SVP has called for a ban on building any future mosques.
While your author certainly respects and appreciates the US Constitution’s first amendment that recognizes freedom of religion he also knows that the underlying root of separation of church and states stems from the codependent relationship that existed between England’s monarch and a corrupt church. The Swiss, whether good or bad, are saying we don’t want you here at least until you curb your violent element that proclaims your faith. We in the western world should be demanding those of the Muslim faith to explain why they cannot address this deadly rogue element that continues to plague their faith. Your author has long argued that if it was Catholics causing terrorism that today’s mainstream media would demanding a sit down interview with the Pope.
Europe more so than the US is taking a greater risk if the Swiss view of Muslims immigrating takes a foothold in other neighboring countries. The Euro continent is in desperate need of immigrants to fill the ranks of retiring workers and subsidize social costs that are already tapping their resources. Birthrates for all European nations are at dismal lows, except for Iceland and Ireland, with no break in such demographic changes. Decades from now there won’t be any Spanish, Italian or Portuguese. Currently their birth rate is less than 2 per woman. This rate is also applicable to Canada who has seen a surge in immigrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East over the past 30 years. In the States we are fortunate as our birthrate is 2 per woman, which indicates a stable population growth.
The Swiss are contemplating and reconsidering the role of immigration and the laws that govern the process; we here in the United States should be asking Muslim clerics tough questions. Failure to do so will only bring about more radical reactions such as what has been seen in Zurich.
