The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe

Supporters of religious freedoms and the values of harmony must not allow the abuse of Switzerland.

The wave of inciting against religious freedom and social harmony calls for a brave stand which appeals to reason and conscience.

The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe is following closely, with great sorrow and chagrin, the escalating wave of enmity towards Muslims, who form a part of Swiss society, which has earned a world-wide reputation for social diversity and harmony as well as being a supporter of the values of humanity, respect, freedoms and equal opportunities.

What is really worrying is the news and reports and pictures that have come from Switzerland, in the past weeks and months, telling about the escalating campaigns which depend upon spreading malice and hatred, and aim to break social solidarity, and feed racism and political extremism, the last of which are the provocative events against mosques, minarets and Muslims under various pretexts.

Direct democracy and the culture of social collaboration in Switzerland have been the focus of worldwide appreciation and interest. However the extremist attempts at running polls and election campaigns against members of the same society, and directly hitting at the values of tolerance and understanding and harmonious co-existence, contradict clearly the spirit of democracy, which cannot be allowed to be used as a portal for inciting segments of society against their partners in citizenship from other segments.

It is now obvious that the controversy about building houses of worship, or minarets hides extremist agendas, which lean towards discriminative racism against Muslims, and depends on spreading fear amongst the public, and giving unfounded excuses that are built on exaggerated accounts and twisted facts. The purpose of which is to spread an atmosphere of discord and racism within the ranks of society.

In light of the provocations against harmony and understanding, and against religious freedoms, and against the attempts to disrupt peaceful co-existence between the members of society, we find that it is our duty at the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe, to express our concern about the deterioration that has attracted the attention of Europe and the world. It is unfortunate that this paints an unattractive picture of Switzerland; one which is unfamiliar to everyone. It is beyond doubt that the campaigns which promote the culture of racism do not serve any country, or people, who hold the values of humanity and moral ethics in high regard.

It is very unfortunate that the voices of racism and hatred, which hide behind the movement against mosques and minarets, and promotes the slogans and advertisements that encourage hatred, throw a bad light on Switzerland and its people, and impact the values that this country has adopted, that have through history won Switzerland the respect and appreciation of the European and international communities.

We consider the current hatred campaigns to be derogatory to Switzerland and European societies above all. This severe escalations necessitates that all parties be aware of their moral duties and ethical commitments, in shunning the spirit of racism, and what it promotes of base instincts that have no room in developed civilized societies. Based on this, we call for all those in responsible positions, and religious leaders, scholars, intellectuals, artists, sports people, and all of civil society active in Switzerland, as well as the media and shapers of public opinion to show an initial brave stand.

The occurrences of violations and the spreading of hatred require a unified response from all parties, to confront these worrying developments, and to shun racism and malice by blocking the path of inciters with a show of social solidarity. The fever pitch of the hatred dialogue spoken by some parties requires a revisionary stand and brave solutions, because silence and ignoring the issue will open the way for those who wish to plant discord and hatred in society.

We will remain confident that the majority will be biased to reason and their voices will rise above the doctrines of spreading irrational fear of religious freedoms and houses of worship and partners of one society and one destiny. We are also confident that the Muslims of Switzerland will remain in support of the values of harmony and understanding with their fellow community members, which cannot be violated or compromised whatever the incentive might be.

Finally, we cannot ignore hearing the voice of reason and conscience, and everyone today is in dire need of strengthening the bonds of tolerance and peaceful co-existence, and preserving general and personal religious freedoms, and respecting cultural and religious diversity, considering it a value to any society rather than the threat that extremists make it out to be.

Brussels, Tuesday November 10^th 2009

Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe