Look Inside the Mosque

From the desk of The Brussels Journal on Tue, 2007-09-04 06:38

A quote from Pierre Bürcher, assistant bishop (Catholic) of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, at Swissinfo.org, 20 August 2007

It is essential that we respect the laws laid down in Switzerland and we cannot allow them to be fundamentally undermined by another way of thinking, such as sharia law.

It's true that the minaret is a symbol for Muslims but it is not an essential part of a mosque and we should not get fixated on it. What goes on inside a mosque is much more important, because it's there that the Koran is taught and where you can have people stepping out of line. It is in this place of worship that the khutba [Islamic sermon], which is often politicised, and all the anti-Western or even terrorist teaching can take place.

Do the authorities really know what is going on and whether it is legal? This seems far more important to me than whether you can build a minaret or not.

swissinfo: So you're saying the authorities need to keep a closer eye on what's going on inside mosques in Switzerland?

Yes, because one needs to be aware that in Muslim tradition, politics, culture, society and religion are all entwined. We are touching here on a fundamental difference between two religious concepts and the slightest tolerance in this domain will be extremely damaging for peace and co-existence. It is because of this that mosques in many Muslim countries are coming under increased surveillance and the khutba is always monitored.

Re: On the link

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Wed, 2007-09-05 18:54.

@ R.Hartman

 

Pleased to hear somebody else found it as interesting as I did. You might care to look at this:

 

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/009806.php

 

note the date: January 15,2006

 

Quote: "Khutba-monitoring already goes on..."

 

If you read it in conjunction with the  "black-iris" link you'll see  appreciate why I say that in my opinion what Bishop Pierre is suggesting is easier said than done.

Khutba & Khateeb

Submitted by Atlanticist911 on Wed, 2007-09-05 01:28.

Thought some of you might find this interesting.

 

http://www.black-iris.com/2007/03/31/khutba-on-the-prophets-birthday/

 

Next click on to two items under the header,"Related entries".

 

Next,and in no particular order see:"The Khubta Law Gets Approved" and "Changing Mosques".Be sure to read all the comments at the end of each item.Personally,I think it all makes for some pretty interesting reading.

finally someone is getting wise

Submitted by logicalman on Wed, 2007-09-05 00:25.

a mosque is a public venue, therefore monitoring should be simple and straightforward as camera for catching red light violation.  Of course they can take their sermon inside a home....