Austria bans construction of mosques

[Arthur Gordon Pym]

Austria bans construction of mosques

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

VIENNA: A southern Austrian regional parliament gave its go-ahead on Tuesday to a change in the law that would effectively ban building mosques and possibly other non-Christian establishments in the region.

While no mention was actually made of mosques or minarets in the bill approved by lawmakers in the province of Carinthia, the change to the so-called ‘Ortsbildpflegegesetz’ - or law on the upkeep of towns’ appearances - meant that special dispensations would now be required for the construction of ‘buildings of unusual dimensions.’

Carinthia’s governor, far-rightist Joerg Haider, said it was high time ‘to send a signal,’ accusing the centre-left Social Democrats of not doing anything to stop ‘the advance of Islam.’

Carinthia would be a ‘beacon for Europe’ on the matter, the leader said. The changes were condemned by the opposition Green and Social Democrat parties, as well as the Austrian Muslim community that said the changes constituted an infringement of religious freedom.

[source]

[Lutiferre]

If anything, a society deciding for itself which religions it wants in its lands is religious freedom.

[Ferran]

Peoples around the area of Switzerland and Austria seem to be bidding hard for preservation. Hope they succeed and serve as example for other European nations.

[M.R.]

They're intolerant people from Alps who hate anyone, exceptions are only bigger cities like Vienna in Austria, and even there (based on my own experience) immigrants want to be more German (or "Austrian") than Germans, so even they will probably be against mosques. They can't be taken as an example in any way. Just because they don't like anyone doesn't mean they're nationalistic or patriotic.

Joerg Heider is a nice example of this behaviour, being an anti-Slovenian drama queen from Carinthia, who plays on the nationalist card when he has too.

I'm not saying what's banning construction of mosques in European countries is something bad or that this news in particular are bad, it's just that they're far away for being an example. At least for me.

No nationalist can consider Carinthia as a "beacon for Europe", until it's occupied by Austria and opressing the rights of it's original population. I'm talking about the Austrian state of Carinthia here, not whole Slovenian region of Carinthia.

[Strengthandhonour]

Wow..very surprising news.
lets see how long they can keep this new rule though.

[Martín Zalacaín]

Originally Posted by M.R.

They're intolerant people from Alps who hate anyone, exceptions are only bigger cities like Vienna in Austria, and even there (based on my own experience) immigrants want to be more German (or "Austrian") than Germans, so even they will probably be against mosques. They can't be taken as an example in any way. Just because they don't like anyone doesn't mean they're nationalistic or patriotic.

Joerg Heider is a nice example of this behaviour, being an anti-Slovenian drama queen from Carinthia, who plays on the nationalist card when he has too.

I'm not saying what's banning construction of mosques in European countries is something bad or that this news in particular are bad, it's just that they're far away for being an example. At least for me.

No nationalist can consider Carinthia as a "beacon for Europe", until it's occupied by Austria and opressing the rights of it's original population. I'm talking about the Austrian state of Carinthia here, not whole Slovenian region of Carinthia.

Agreed, no politician does anything altruistically or for the good of his own people.

Anyway, this is positive. Any step towards the censorship of alien cultures is positive.

[Savorgnan]

Sounds like Carinthia is the less autodestructive region of the less autodestructive nation of Europe.

For years I suspected Haider to be a sort of "false rightish" liberal, but the man seems to be somewhat sincere, after all.

[Kernunnos]

Deus voluit

[Ferran]

Originally Posted by M.R.

I'm not saying what's banning construction of mosques in European countries is something bad or that this news in particular are bad, it's just that they're far away for being an example. At least for me.

Well, I knew that Austria had a native population of Slavic origin, but I had no idea that there was currently a serious border problem between the two countries. Anyway, what I wanted them to succed is in this particular law, which indeed is an example to follow for the rest of Europe, or don't you think that it's good that Austrian-Carinthians could have their faith more respected now? The Carinthian issue can be promoted at any time through cultural organizations for the Slovenians of the two borders, until these have enough strenght as to indulge Austrian political parties to have a more respectful view on it, while on the other hand, the chances of seeing a politician defending his peoples' costumes are near to zero.

[Dux]

Well... Germans won territory in some areas, lost much more in other regions. It's fate. It's history. If Slovenia still has a grudge on Austria, it may propose a deal: Austria gives back Carinthia to Slovenes, Czechs and Poles go back to Volinia and Polesia... Russians goes back to east... and Tatars and Turks may go to hell. Hmm. Forget it.

Better to look forward. Nevertheless Turks may go to hell, still.

Regarding the new law in Austria, I hope it comes to be enforced! Arabia has lots of room for mosques and arabs. Or the Sahara. I would support this measure: for each 1000 arabs or muslims depa(o)rted, Europe builds a mosque for them in their home land. If any takes all his relatives with him and promises to never return we'll pay them a humble offer: let's say, food and cash for 3 months.

[Susi]

They could always get planning permission... it's not impossible to build a mosque still.