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Switzerland
UN rights body narrowly passes Islamophobia resolution
Press Trust of India 25 March 2010
Geneva - The UN Human Rights Council today narrowly passed a resolution condemning Islamaphobic behaviour, including Switzerland's minaret building ban, despite some states' major 
IHEU Statement on "Restrictions on and defamation of religion"
International Humanist and Ethical Union 24 March 2010
Speaking at the United Nations today, 23 March 2010, IHEU representative Roy Brown called on the UN Human Rights Council to "reject the resolution 'combating defamation of religions' as both unjustifiable and unnecessary".
He also highlighted a new report showing that many of the countries who are most vocal in calling for restrictions on the "defamation of religion" actually have some of the highest levels of restrictions on freedom of religion. The resolution "combating defamation of religions" is scheduled to be voted on this Friday, 26 March 2010.
Strains Emerging on "Defamation of Religion” Ahead of Important Vote
UN Watch 24 March 2010
Ahead of two important votes later this week, the Ad Hoc Committee met to discuss the resolution tabled by Nigeria on the "Elaboration of Complementary Standards to the International Convention
IQ2 Debate: "Europe is failing its Muslims" - Intro, Tariq Ramadan and Douglas Murray. (1 of 6)
iqsquared 22 March 2010
As the first speaker in favour of the motion Tariq Ramadan states his belief that Europe has failed its Muslims in various different ways. It has allowed a political discourse in which Muslims, like the Turks and Bosnians, are not viewed as European citizens and has neglected to recognise the historical contribution of Muslim philosophers and scientists in forging the continent's identity, or the economic contribution of Muslims since World War II.
Arguing against the motion Douglas Murray states that Islam is associated with violence for good reasons; it wasn't Buddhists or Atheists who were responsible for the 9/11 or 7/7 attacks. He says that the Muslim population has grown extraordinarily fast - from barely anything in the mid 20th century to between 15 and 17 million at the start of the 21st - and has been relatively successful. But there had been a failure of leadership among Muslim leaders, many of who were paid generously by European governments. The current leader of the Muslim Council of Britain couldn't even condemm stoning.
Qaddafi, Wilders, and the Jihad Against Switzerland
PajamasMedia 15 March 2010
By Andrew G. Bostom
Ever since the triumphs of Islam’s prophet became the ultimate inspiration for jihadism almost 14 centuries ago, Muslims have especially revered the bellicose, conquering Muhammad of Medina. (For a pious contemporary example, see Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s "The Prophet Muhammad as a Jihad Model.”) According to a canonical hadith (Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0272), Islam in essence belongs to Medina, as a serpent to its lair, the specific words being, "Verily the faith [i.e., Islam] would recede to Medina just as the serpent crawls back into its hole.”
Libya demands an U.S apology and enforces Swiss embargo
ecPulse 5 March 2010
Libyan officials have demanded a formal apology from the United States following comments regarding Libya's President Muammar Gaddafi, when he called for "Jihad" against Switzerland. The Libyan
Gaddafi calls for jihad against Switzerland
First Post 27 February 2010
By Tim Edwards
Holy war is in response to Swiss ban on minarets - but UN chief tells Libyan president to put a sock in it.
Libyan president Muammar
Switzerland Unruffled by Qaddafi’s Call for ‘Jihad’ in Wake of Its Ban on New Minarets
NYTimes 27 February 2010
By STEVEN ERLANGER
The Swiss government reacted blandly on Friday to the latest rhetorical sally from the eccentric Libyan leader, Col.
Gaddafi vs. Switzerland: The Leader's Son on What's Behind the Feud
TIME 27 February 2010
By Vivienne Walt
It's tempting to dismiss Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi's call this week for a jihad against Switzerland as just another round in the feud between the two countries. But it would be a
Switzerland urged to settle visa dispute with Libya
Times of Malta 17 February 2010
The Foreign Ministers of Libya, Italy and Malta today urged Switzerland to speed up its efforts to settle pending problems with Libya and to remove its blacklist of Libyan nationals who have been
China warns Switzerland about Uighurs
Radio Netherlands 4 February 2010
China has warned Switzerland that its decision to take in two Uighur prisoners from Guantánamo Bay may adversely affect relations between the two countries. The Chinese government says the
Libya clears Swiss of immigration violations
Radio Netherlands 1 February 2010
A Libyan appeals court has overturned a 16-month jail term handed down to Swiss businessman Rachid Hamdani on immigration violations. Mr Hamdani and fellow Swiss businessman Max Göldi were
Swiss man goes to court in Libya
World Radio Switzerland 25 January 2010
One of the two Swiss men being held in Libya appeared in court yesterday . Rachid Hamdani is appealing the 16-month prison sentence handed down to him, as well as another Swiss businessman Max
Minaret ban was a "symbolic gesture”
Swissinfo 25 January 2010
Voters who supported a people’s initiative to ban minarets last November wanted to make a symbolic gesture against the spread of Islam in Switzerland. A survey of voters carried out by Swiss
How Much Allah Can the Old Continent Bear?
Der Spiegel 06 January 2010
Switzerland's recent vote to ban the construction of new minarets has shocked and angered Muslims around the world. But the controversial move also reflects a growing sense of unease among other Europeans who have trouble coming to terms with Islam's increased visibility.
Thank You, Geert Wilders
Gates of Vienna 22 December 2009
By Baron Bodissey
For a long time any criticism of Muslim immigration in the Netherlands — especially when voiced by Geert Wilders and other members of the PVV — was considered unwise, because it would tend to radicalize impressionable young Muslims and push them farther away from integration into Dutch society. So the reasoning went, anyway.
Justice Minister holds Muslim talks
World Radio Switzerland 22 December 2009
Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf has held meetings with representatives from the country’s Muslim communities, saying the government is keen to widen dialogue. Ms. Widmer-Schlumpf
Swiss leftists want to silence magazine-editor
International Free Press Society 22 December 2009
By Gates of Vienna
The editor-in-chief of the Swiss magazine Weltwoche, Roger Köppel, has been indicted by Socialists in Zurich. The reason: he violated an anti-racism law. On talk shows, according to the Socialist
The nativist response to the Swiss minaret ban
Independent.co.uk 21 December 2009
By Deborah Garel
The response to the Swiss ban on minarets has triggered extensive criticisms from most other European governments.
Nonetheless, it has inspired European nativist parties to take similar measures, revealing a fear of Islam felt by some European communities and the desire of extremist parties to exploit this.
Germany/Austria : Calls for school headscarf ban
Islam in Europe 16 December 2009
In a related story, Pro NRW intends to call for a EU-wide referendum on minarets: Vorarlberg Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Dieter Egger today (Mon) called for a ban on head-scarves in all provincial schools and public institutions
