FrigidSymphony wrote:
Aaron, I've got a question. As you may or may not be aware of, Switzerland is currently in the throes of a right-wing sponsored campaign to ban the construction of minarets. We have and allow mosques, but the right's argument is that the minaret serves no function other than to symbolically establish Islamic law. Of course, my question is, how important is a minaret to the worshiping capacities of the Muslims here, and what functions does it serve?
I for one am torn. On the one hand, I don't want any increase in the presence of any religion. On the other hand, Muslims should have the right to worship with all the conveniences of Christians and Jews and Sikhs, etc. Plus the fact that the campaign is blatantly inspired by xenophobia rather than humanitarian outrage.
For curiosity, this is the poster they've decided on.
The caption reads:
"STOP! YES on the minaret ban!"
Blech, you Scandinavian countries and your racist folk barely kept in check by homogeneity.
On the serious side, without a minaret, there is no good place to perform
adhan, or 'call to prayer,' which is important for, like, a million reasons. They're important to the overall suitability of a masjid. Now, I will not say that they are necessary- because they aren't, all a masjid needs is a podium with 3 steps and an Imam to be technically valid, but what kind of society are you if you're putting those restrictions on Muslims and not saying to Christians 'okay, gotta tear down those bell towers, buddy.'
they have
nothing to do with Sharia law, I have no idea where people got that crazy idea.
)