Libya Leads the Way in Punishing Switzerland

2 December 2009
The Libyan authorities chose the right moment to pass judicial sentences jailing two Swiss businessmen and fining them 1,100 euros each for residing illegally in the country. Switzerland's stock in the Arab and Muslim worlds has dropped to its lowest level after a majority of Swiss supported a ban on building minarets - Switzerland currently has just four minarets.

The Swiss referendum and its result served the Libyan authorities well. Until 29 November's vote, the majority of Arab and Muslims were unsupportive of Libya's handling of its crisis with Switzerland which resulted from the July 2008 prosecution of Hannibal al-Qadhafi, the Libyan leader's son, for beating his Swiss employees. The prosecution was subsequently dropped but Libya seized the two Swiss nationals in retaliation - despite the fact that one of them is of Arab origins.

Libya's campaign against Switzerland - which has included an oil embargo, the expulsion of companies and their representatives, and the withdrawal of assets ($6 billion) - was seen as being out of proportion.

Following the referendum, millions of Muslims are feeling extremely angry with the Swiss and their insult to the Islamic faith. The vote is widely perceived as an infringement of their right to practise their religion, and overt racism against almost half a million Swiss Muslims.

Having a majority siding with the extremist racist right, the Swiss people have proved that they are not neutral, that even their neutrality is just a lie, and everything that has been said about Switzerland's tolerance and openness to all races and faiths is now in doubt.

This Swiss precedent might spread to other European countries where the popularity of the extremist right-wing parties is increasing because of their hostility to Islam and Muslims and incitement against them.

The Libyan authorities are satisfied because all their accusations of Switzerland's racism and hostility to Islam and Muslims have proved to be true, albeit partially, through the recent referendum. The possibility that the policemen who arrested the Libyan leader's son, insulted him and his wife, and deliberately targeted him because he is an Arab and a Muslim are supporters of the extremist and racist right-wing parties cannot be ruled out.

We are well aware that the ruling party in Switzerland opposed the referendum result, has always supported the building of minarets, and underlined the country's respect for freedom of worship but Swiss democracy has had its way and exposed its racism. It should not be allowed to get away with it.

Europe stood united against the right-wing Austrian party led by Jorg Haider, boycotted it completely, and threatened not to deal with any government it formed because of his racism against Jews in particular. But this same Europe is opening its arms to the extremist right and its parties which are widening their circle of popularity by escalating hostility towards Islam and Muslims. Yesterday, it took the form of cartoons against the Noble Prophet, may the blessings and peace of God be with him, then developed into banning the veil and insulting those wearing it, and today has reached the point of banning the building of minarets. We would not be surprised if it spread tomorrow to a ban on building mosques and possibly the deportation of Muslims on the pretext that they pose a danger to the Europeans' stability and security.

The Arab and Muslim governments should take punitive measures against Switzerland if it presses ahead with harassing Muslims. There are many tools that can be used, including a ban on trade and withdrawal of assets. This is a racist insult which should not be allowed to pass easily and the response should be civilized and painful and devoid of all acts of violence. Nothing hurts Western people more than hitting them in their pockets.