The prompt (on a college application) was pretty general: Write about an issue of personal, local, national or global concern and its importance to you. Feedback is appreciated!
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A European Experiment in Intolerance
In a recent vote that surprised many and dismayed government officials from Bern to Riyadh, Swiss voters solidly approved a ban on the construction of minarets. Distinct from everyday architectural ordinances based on aesthetic preferences, this new law was an unambiguous strike against the country's Muslim population. It currently is one of the first major successes in the growing backlash against Muslim immigrants across Europe.
Europeans are backing away from their ideals of religious liberty in the name of self-preservation, citing fears of an impending Muslim takeover of the continent. The future of "Eurabia," predicted by alarmed Europeans and eager Islamic leaders alike, is theorized based upon high birth rates and perceptions of insufficient assimilation among Muslim immigrants. These concerns previously have fueled campaigns to ban mosques in Italy and burkas in the United Kingdom. In June, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France stated that burkas were "not welcome," and although the government stopped short of an outright ban in November - instead issuing "recommendations" against face veils - a more forceful law is expected to be passed before long.
For a variety of reasons, from general religious and racial intolerance, to concern over higher birth rates and political ambitiousness, many Europeans consider Muslims in their midst undesirables, to be driven out by legislative inhospitality. The rationale behind this religious oppression is that it will cause the minorities to either change their ways, or leave altogether. But when the greatest weapon of Islamic extremists is the propagandistic dehumanization of infidels, it is not advisable to widen the gap between the cultures. The way to lessen the danger of radical Islam on the borders is to show one's best side to those who would be taught to attack it. By suppressing and angering the Muslims who have peacefully emigrated from the Middle East, European governments are doing a great disservice to their reputations in those immigrants' homelands, further polarizing both within their own countries and between the continents.
Objections by prominent Islamic leaders often showcase even greater hypocrisy, it should be noted. Accusations of "Islamophobia" coming from Iran and Saudi Arabia, while true enough when taken apart from context, are shameful displays of cognitive dissonance on the background of Sharia Law. Those who would not object to obscenely archaic practices - such as incurring the death penalty for apostasy, and inflicting harsh punishments not upon rapists, but upon their victims - are in no standing to judge what is fair or unfair elsewhere in the world. But this only applies to those who would support the atrocious laws of certain Middle Eastern countries, not to all Muslims. The prevalence of Sharia Law is no excuse for injustice in Europe. Furthermore, regardless of what liability some like to pin on all the members of the faith, the people and governments of Europe ought to hold themselves to higher standards of freedom and tolerance. By being on the more inclusive side of the divide, they can speed cultural assimilation and improvement of Islamic-Western relations. Opting instead to repel attempts at peaceful integration can only aggravate resentment and encourage violent attitudes.
The Swiss minaret ban, being the first of its kind, might prove a turning point in the culture clash, signaling either a downward spiral, or a wakeup call. Other governments are poised to follow suit with similarly oppressive laws, but the uproar abroad may yet dissuade any imitators. Given the lack of authority afforded most Middle Eastern leaders in these matters, the onus lies upon the Europeans themselves - hopefully with encouragement from the United States, and other influences in the United Nations - to voice their objections and put a stop to this trend before it continues beyond the point of no return.
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A European Experiment in Intolerance
In a recent vote that surprised many and dismayed government officials from Bern to Riyadh, Swiss voters solidly approved a ban on the construction of minarets. Distinct from everyday architectural ordinances based on aesthetic preferences, this new law was an unambiguous strike against the country's Muslim population. It currently is one of the first major successes in the growing backlash against Muslim immigrants across Europe.
Europeans are backing away from their ideals of religious liberty in the name of self-preservation, citing fears of an impending Muslim takeover of the continent. The future of "Eurabia," predicted by alarmed Europeans and eager Islamic leaders alike, is theorized based upon high birth rates and perceptions of insufficient assimilation among Muslim immigrants. These concerns previously have fueled campaigns to ban mosques in Italy and burkas in the United Kingdom. In June, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France stated that burkas were "not welcome," and although the government stopped short of an outright ban in November - instead issuing "recommendations" against face veils - a more forceful law is expected to be passed before long.
For a variety of reasons, from general religious and racial intolerance, to concern over higher birth rates and political ambitiousness, many Europeans consider Muslims in their midst undesirables, to be driven out by legislative inhospitality. The rationale behind this religious oppression is that it will cause the minorities to either change their ways, or leave altogether. But when the greatest weapon of Islamic extremists is the propagandistic dehumanization of infidels, it is not advisable to widen the gap between the cultures. The way to lessen the danger of radical Islam on the borders is to show one's best side to those who would be taught to attack it. By suppressing and angering the Muslims who have peacefully emigrated from the Middle East, European governments are doing a great disservice to their reputations in those immigrants' homelands, further polarizing both within their own countries and between the continents.
Objections by prominent Islamic leaders often showcase even greater hypocrisy, it should be noted. Accusations of "Islamophobia" coming from Iran and Saudi Arabia, while true enough when taken apart from context, are shameful displays of cognitive dissonance on the background of Sharia Law. Those who would not object to obscenely archaic practices - such as incurring the death penalty for apostasy, and inflicting harsh punishments not upon rapists, but upon their victims - are in no standing to judge what is fair or unfair elsewhere in the world. But this only applies to those who would support the atrocious laws of certain Middle Eastern countries, not to all Muslims. The prevalence of Sharia Law is no excuse for injustice in Europe. Furthermore, regardless of what liability some like to pin on all the members of the faith, the people and governments of Europe ought to hold themselves to higher standards of freedom and tolerance. By being on the more inclusive side of the divide, they can speed cultural assimilation and improvement of Islamic-Western relations. Opting instead to repel attempts at peaceful integration can only aggravate resentment and encourage violent attitudes.
The Swiss minaret ban, being the first of its kind, might prove a turning point in the culture clash, signaling either a downward spiral, or a wakeup call. Other governments are poised to follow suit with similarly oppressive laws, but the uproar abroad may yet dissuade any imitators. Given the lack of authority afforded most Middle Eastern leaders in these matters, the onus lies upon the Europeans themselves - hopefully with encouragement from the United States, and other influences in the United Nations - to voice their objections and put a stop to this trend before it continues beyond the point of no return.