By ROBERT STARK

Swiss voters recently voted to ban construction of minarets, which greatly affect the skylines of many European Cities due to the massive growth of Muslim populations. The ban does not stop the construction of new mosques, but bans the minaret towers. We are used to American values of freedom of religion where it would be a questionable infringement on the 1st Amendment right to freedom of religion, but keep in mind that many European nations do not even have the same rights to freedom of speech that we have. Both Jewish and Muslim groups are outraged by Switzerland’s decision. However many Muslim nations do not allow for the construction of churches or synagogues, and Israel also has restrictions on freedom of religion such as laws against proselytizing and intermarriage.

The issue about minarets in Switzerland has become an issue of Islamophobia rather than opposition to foreign influence and Globalism. Many Muslims living there may feel their religious rights are being infringed upon; however due to the large scale of immigration Europeans feel threatened that they are losing their culture and nations. While I support European Nationalism and a halt to immigration, it is shame that the movement have focused on making Muslims into the enemy rather than supporting nationalism for all people and opposing Globalization.

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