Islam in Spain is blossoming. In the past 10 years, the number of practicing Muslims has grown from 50,000 to more than a million, due partly to a burgeoning immigrant population. Spain, a nation known in recent history as a predominantly Catholic country, is experiencing growing pains both because of the influx of immigrants as well as the shrinking popularity of Catholicism. It's a very physical pinch: Spain's Muslims have no mosques.
It's not just the pace of growth either. Since the Madrid bombings in 2004 (almost exactly four years ago) some Spanish citizens are wary of the prospect or a growing Islamic presence thinking it a sign of potentially more extremism. Acquiring land to build a mosque has been one stumbling block, for instance in Seville, Muslims are close to obtaining a plot of land for a mosque after years of bitter local resistance, which included a 2005 protest where a pig’s head was dumped on the plot originally chosen. Change is slowly coming with some local governments now attempting to secure funds and land to create mosques for those now praying in storefronts and garages. To see the historical significance, read more.
The country has had a dramatic tug of war between these two religions, stemming back to an early eighth century conquering which transformed the Iberian Peninsula into an Islamic state. Ferdinand and Isabella drove out the Islamic army in 1492, and Catholicism became once more the dominant religion. Spain is no stranger to religious intolerance, hosting one of history's most violent pro-Catholic purges — the Inquisition — which lasted over 400 years. In this twenty-first century shift, Islam is once again becoming a major force in Spain — not at the vanguard of an advancing army, but instead quietly and peacefully at the hands of those who simply wish to practice their religion.
Should Spain be more accommodating? Is it fair to discriminate against the Muslim faith in the name of terrorism?
J Taylor
Virginie Monroe
Diesel
"Is it fair to discriminate against the Muslim faith in the name of terrorism?"
NO.
We cannot judge a religion and chose whether or not to allow its practice based only on its most radical, extremist members. (And if we did, we'd also have to outlaw Christianity and Judaism--none of the Big Three faiths have clean hands.) To disenfranchise an entire religion based on the reprehensible actions of its most radical members is only going to cause resentment and actually further foster an environment in which extremism gains traction. How much longer will it take for people to understand that a mosque does not equal a terrorist cell?
1Hmm, well I would hope that the only answer to this question would be no it is not fair nor necessary. Just like here in the U.S. the NIMBY syndrome is to often activated by ignorance and it is then that fear not logic begins to dictate terms.
I believe that the Spanish gov. needs to take a keen and fair interest in how the large population of Spanish Muslim citizens are married into their traditional culture.
It looks like Western Europe is having some melting pot issues. I say turn the heat to simmer, stir as needed and just let the flavors blend baby!
2I live in Spain, in Barcelona. I live in a district where most of the Muslims in the city live (they mostly come from Pakistan). They do have a mosque here, in fact they have two, one for the more fundamentalists and another for the moderate ones. Barcelona is a very open, liberal city but a lot of cities in the rest of Spain are very conservative. A lot of people think that giving them a place to gather will lead to more fundamentalism, but I think it's the opposite. It's true that traditionally Spain is a place where a lot of attacks have been planned and it's also true that a few weeks ago there were a few people arrested for planning attacks in Barcelona's subway and in other European cities. What most people don't realise is that giving Muslims the opportunity to practise their religion openly will make their activities more public, and probably more moderate. It will also be easier to detect Imams who have radical ideas.
Islamism does not equal terrorism. Spain should accept immigration, just like other European countries did.
3I agree!
4Pequena: I agree 100%.
Something that seems to not get a lot of play is how provocation works in this issue of Islam vs. the west. Countries like the Netherlands where politicians are openly targeting Islam and Muslims complain about fundamentalism and radicalism (Some right-wing politician has made a movie on Islam’s fascism and hate for homosexuals and abuse of women) but they forget that sometimes when you alienate a group you will are asking for a response in that manner, that is not to justify violence, but it does explain some of it and shows ways we can avoid it.
5Its the denying people that can create fundamentalism. By giving them a space to practice their religion it creates a more mainstream open community. EVERY religion has its extremists but its always Islam that is focused on. People will be attracted to the extremists if they are forced underground because their government does not recognize and accept them
6Well said Pequena.
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