Europe News
Austrian right unites against mosques
Aug 27, 2007, 10:20 GMT
Vienna - Austria's feuding right-wing parties, the Freedom Party and the Alliance for Austria's Future (BZ), on Monday united for one common cause: to fight the construction of mosques in the alpine republic.
Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache stressed his support for amendments to Austria's constitution to that effect that were proposed by his arch-nemesis Joerg Haider over the weekend.
Haider, governor of the province Carinthia and former leader of the BZ, a breakaway party from the Freedom Party, called for a ban on the construction of mosques and minarets.
He was against a 'clash of cultures' or 'radical-Islamic tendencies like in Cologne or Vienna' in his province, Haider said on Sunday.
Haider called for a countrywide ban in order to protect Austria's prevailing western culture. He also demanded religious groups to be obliged to use German language in services and sermons.
Going one step further, Strache demanded 'measures against the Islamization of Austria,' including a ban on headscarves in schools, universities and the public service, the deportation of radical preachers and an annual 'Islamization report.'
The controversial remarks are expected to trigger another outcry by representatives of Muslim organizations in Austria, who stress the freedom of religion enshrined in the country's constitution.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
It's good to ban the erection of mosques. Let moslems feel how they treat non-moslems in Islamic country. Even better, protect yourself, be stern against moslems who try to strike you, and tell out loud this decision to the world. Let the world hear.
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SAug 27th, 2007 - 12:46:03
Freedom of religion implies the right to believe in, pray and worship etc. but it does not mean force it on others. It means you are free to choose who or what you want to believe in but it doesn't mean the government has to cater to any particular group, theology, ideology etc. With the rapid influx of Muslims into Western Europe it is going to cause some growing pains. However, if the governments choose not to allow them to erect their mosques that is the governments right. Just like in the Muslim Arab nations, you don't see synagogues or southern Baptist chapels being built. That is not to say in Europe that you cannot worship whoever you want because you can. Just don't expect them to cater that's all. Thankfully the God I believe in can be reached 24/7 anywhere or anyplace and doesn't require 5 timed sessions and a building to do it.
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