As some of you may know I live in Italy, Recently, a cardinal of the Italian church - his name is Cardinal Biffi - has been stirring up a lot of anti-muslim feelings - and saying that immigration of muslims should be banned into this country. One thing he and other proponents of this theory keep repeating is that as Christians (and they mean specifically catholics) have no rights in muslim countries, muslims should have no rights here. And the shocking thing is that this is repeated over and over again by people who should know better. I think part of this is because people think muslim countries = Saudi Arabia. Now you and I know that in most muslim and muslim majority countries, non -muslims have many rights including the right to religious gatherings and festivals, right to participate in political life etc. Seeing that the audience in gupshup is so varied I’d be interested in hearing from all of you what knowledge you have regarding this questionm. Thanks.
Italy is a messed up country, when it comes to these problems.
My mom grew up in Italy, and for her being a strict Atheist, and for just being an Atheist was the biggest crime against the Church. Back then, you were pretty much barred. You can think of non-catholics in Italy almost like black people in America in the early 1900's. I would consider Italy has gone a LONG way that they are talking about "BANNING" muslims, when I'm suprised that hasn't already been done. As for countries wanting to ban people that are not from the native religion of the country is ridiculous. What would US and Canada do in that case? It's obvious that Canada and the US are not historically Christian/Jewish countries, but of Native land. Although, Christians and Jews predominately run them. For a Christian or a Jew to claim none of us non-christian/jews have a right in this country is insignificant. A problem to happen here in Canada or the US is really far-fetched and unlikely.
Have you ever seen the movie "The Siege", it was actuallly on a couple of nights ago. Very interesting movie, on America, gathering up Muslims (especially Arabs) and lock them away in a stadium, due to 'terrorist' attacks in the US. Features, the guy Dr from sixth sense (forgot his name).
And the odd thing is, America does a good job of making themselves look bad in this one!
Arai
Arai, there are a lot of awful things and marvellous things in Italy. Let's not generalise.
And
I still need an answer to my question! That way maybe I will have some facts on hand when I tell my friends that what the press says about lack of religious freedom in muslim countries is wrong... please help!
Shirin, I live in Austria (Italy’s neighbouring country). The situation here is not different from yours.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/frown.gif
Although nobody is allowed to discriminate Muslims or any other minority, it still happens here, especially since the right winged Freedom Party entered the Austrian government.
On the other hand, it’s sad enough that the argument of Cardinal Biffi is true. In fact, non Muslims are discriminated not only in Saudi Arabia, but in other Muslim countries as well. Especially the christian community in Pakistan has to cope with a lot of discriminations.
That proves, that discrimination of minorities is not an entirely western phenomena. It’s seen in Muslim countries as well.
Umer, the Pakistani Brain of Austria
If the cardinal is a nationally recognized figure, then his statements will carry a lot of weight. Otherwise, his remarks will most probably circulate within the city or carried in the Christian papers. Having said that, you are wondering how to break existing thought pattern of how the Muslim countries are looked at. You are not going to make one iota of difference in the "popular" opinion. How should you counter the arguments? In a nutshell, IHO, only the Muslim contributions to the Italian society will influence the minds of the people. As Islam says, to make a change start from home…... In many forums, and discussion threads, I find people talking on global levels. But very few bring out situations like you. People live, exist, and contribute on local level, the very place that, generally, sees regrettable absence of Muslim participation. I know that the Muslims are far more active on local levels, comparatively, in some of the European countries as opposed to U.S.
Given the Cardinal's statements, it is very understandable that you are thinking of ways to counter them. I think you would be fighting a loosing battle. Both the claimant and you will be discussing situation/s in faraway lands. The focus should/must be on a local level. Where I cannot make a difference I would let them say what they want to say. My concern would be what examples we have to show them, locally, that may make them think otherwise or make them pause before painting the Muslims with a wide-discriminating brush.