Re: Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
- From: "Burhan" <jdyoung17@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 16 Nov 2005 05:58:30 -0800
Born To Serve Islam wrote:
> Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
>
> By Ahmed Al-Matboli, IOL Correspondent
>
> VIENNA, November 14, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - Slovak Muslims find themselves
> between a rock and a hard place as their religion is not recognized by the
> state and they increasingly feel unwelcome by the central European Catholic
> country despite painstaking efforts to reach out to the other.
>
> "Muslim efforts to build Islamic centers or mosques have been dogged by
> expected snarl-ups though the minority is on the rise and the existing
> places of worship are really bursting at the seams with the faithful,"
> Mohammad Safwan, member of the Islamic Waqfs Foundation in the capital
> Bratislava, told IslamOnline.net Monday, November 14.
>
> Safwan said his foundation owns a 1,000-square-meter in the capital to build
> a grand mosque and Islamic center, alas, authorities have severally refused
> to issue a construction license.
>
> "Every time they come up with feeble excuses," he said, adding that their
> reluctance was alienating the Muslim minority in the country, which is 68%
> Roman Catholic.
>
> He went on: "We don't have an umbrella body to speak for the minority and
> liaise with authorities simply because the state refuses to recognize
> Islam."
>
> Persona Non Grata
>
> The Muslim activist further regretted that lay people were looking down on
> Muslims due to spreading stereotypes.
>
> "I'm sorry to say that Muslims are persona non grata in Slovakia," Safwan
> said. "Slovaks unfortunately are taking these stereotypes for granted, which
> is the main obstacle to Muslim integration.
>
> "The Slovaks further recall bitter historical memories related to the
> 150-year Turkish presence in the country, taking it as a pretext to bear
> grudge towards modern Muslims."
>
> There are some 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia out of 5.4 million population. Only
> four mosques have been constructed so far across the country.
>
> Success Stories
>
> But the minority did not give in to the state or public rejection, trying
> their best to defend their much-stereotyped religion and proving that they
> can play a pivotal role in society.
>
> "Muslim leaders and activists have embarked on a media campaign through
> appearing on TV interviews or speaking to prominent newspapers," Safwan
> said.
>
> "We are also keen on holding Islamic exhibitions to answer curious questions
> from many Slovaks."
>
> Muslim intellectuals have also extensively translated famed Islamic books
> into Slovak to remove the language barrier, IOL correspondent says.
>
> Safwan said there is a number of success stories for Muslims, who stood as a
> shining example for Muslims in the country.
>
> "We have a Muslim physician who heads plastic surgery department in one of
> the leading hospitals in Bratislava in addition to heavyweight Turkish and
> Arab businessmen," he said.
>
> http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2005-11/14/article03.shtml
Answers to Questions & Criticisms of Islam
http://www.altway.freeuk.com/Answers/00-Content.htm
.
- References:
- Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
- From: Born To Serve Islam
- Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
- Prev by Date: Re: How and why do people embrace Islam?
- Next by Date: Re: Islam Changed My Whole Life: Cricketer
- Previous by thread: Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
- Next by thread: Melodic Islamic Songs Fill Air in London
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
