Muslims living in Europe for
livelihood must stop protesting ban on burqa and, instead, follow the host
country’s laws and regulations.
Muslim community is protesting against the Swiss government for banning hijab in
the Switzerland’s Ticino region. The government enacted a law as a result of
referendum that endorsed the ban on burqa, and enforced a fine of over $11,000
for those who violate the law and in the very first court trial it fined a
Muslim convert and a businessman who protested the ban under the leadership of
Nora Illi and Rachid Nekkaz who are prominent Muslim-rights campaigners. Earlier
in Germany and France, and some other European countries, anti-Muslim protests
had called for expelling the Muslims or “else conform to the rules of the land”.
Although, some countries, like Canada, have under the law given total liberty to
Muslim and Sikh or other communities to freely practice their religions – so
that they are easily identified and therefore respected – yet many other
countries impress upon them to mix to the countries’ culture and social
mainstream. There is a likelihood that this clash of civilizations would, on the
later stages, result in violence amidst the already tense situation due to the
fear of terrorism. Such a situation would resultantly damage the interests of
third world Muslim countries whose economy largely depends upon the capital they
send to their respective countries. Pakistani immigrants abroad and settlers in
foreign countries send huge chunks of their income to their relatives through
banks, and pay money transfer taxes to the government, which is major part of
country’s economy. Any untoward situation due to Muslim community’s protests
would harm Pakistan government’s interests and may result in the deportation of
Pakistanis from foreign countries.
So it is advisable for especially Pakistanis not to make an issue of personal
ego and instead observe chastity protection measures without going to show-off.
In our own country, we are not observing the same as a whole, but it is
partially and optionally being observed as a personal liberty. Good character
demonstrated by the community would rather leave a far-reaching impact on
others. Punctuality, law abiding, honesty and dedication to work are the
characteristics which are required the most.