http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:26:00 +0200 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/following-in-switzerland-s-footsteps-international-right-wingers-gather-for-eu-wide-minaret-ban-a-685896.html#ref=rss Delegates from right-wing populist parties from across Europe are descending on Germany this weekend for a conference looking into the possibility of an EU-wide minaret ban. The hosts, an anti-Muslim German group, hope to use the gathering as a springboard to success in local elections. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:35:20 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/following-in-switzerland-s-footsteps-international-right-wingers-gather-for-eu-wide-minaret-ban-a-685896.html Delegates from right-wing populist parties from across Europe are descending on Germany this weekend for a conference looking into the possibility of an EU-wide minaret ban. The hosts, an anti-Muslim German group, hope to use the gathering as a springboard to success in local elections.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/far-right-rhetoric-germany-s-very-own-minaret-debate-turns-nasty-a-676156.html#ref=rss A small Muslim community in a western German town would like to build a minaret on its mosque. But the plan has triggered passionate opposition from locals, many of whom rely on rhetoric from the extreme right in railing against the "symbol of Islam's quest for power." Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:53:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/far-right-rhetoric-germany-s-very-own-minaret-debate-turns-nasty-a-676156.html A small Muslim community in a western German town would like to build a minaret on its mosque. But the plan has triggered passionate opposition from locals, many of whom rely on rhetoric from the extreme right in railing against the "symbol of Islam's quest for power."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mosque-madness-german-group-hopes-for-eu-referendum-on-minarets-a-667158.html#ref=rss Just weeks after Swiss voters banned minarets in the country, a German right-wing group is hoping to use a new European Union law to hold a minaret referendum across the 27 member bloc. Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:21:42 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mosque-madness-german-group-hopes-for-eu-referendum-on-minarets-a-667158.html Just weeks after Swiss voters banned minarets in the country, a German right-wing group is hoping to use a new European Union law to hold a minaret referendum across the 27 member bloc.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-eurabia-how-much-allah-can-the-old-continent-bear-a-666448.html#ref=rss Switzerland's recent vote to ban the construction of new minarets has shocked and angered Muslims around the world. But the controversial move also reflects a growing sense of unease among other Europeans who have trouble coming to terms with Islam's increased visibility. Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:46:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/fears-of-eurabia-how-much-allah-can-the-old-continent-bear-a-666448.html Switzerland's recent vote to ban the construction of new minarets has shocked and angered Muslims around the world. But the controversial move also reflects a growing sense of unease among other Europeans who have trouble coming to terms with Islam's increased visibility.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/riled-by-minaret-ban-film-director-fatih-akin-to-boycott-swiss-premiere-a-665271.html#ref=rss Leading Turkish-German director Fatih Akin has said he will boycott the Swiss premiere of his new film as a protest against Sunday's referendum vote to ban the construction of minarets in the country. He complained that the Swiss ban contradicted his belief in the "harmonious co-existence of peoples." Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:11:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/riled-by-minaret-ban-film-director-fatih-akin-to-boycott-swiss-premiere-a-665271.html Leading Turkish-German director Fatih Akin has said he will boycott the Swiss premiere of his new film as a protest against Sunday's referendum vote to ban the construction of minarets in the country. He complained that the Swiss ban contradicted his belief in the "harmonious co-existence of peoples."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-the-right-is-wrong-the-bizarre-logic-behind-the-swiss-minaret-ban-a-664973.html#ref=rss Us against them. That is how Europe's right wing sees the Swiss ban on minarets. After all, so goes the logic, Christians in the Muslim world aren't doing any better. But the argument is the height of intellectual laziness. The two groups simply cannot be compared. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:31:37 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/how-the-right-is-wrong-the-bizarre-logic-behind-the-swiss-minaret-ban-a-664973.html Us against them. That is how Europe's right wing sees the Swiss ban on minarets. After all, so goes the logic, Christians in the Muslim world aren't doing any better. But the argument is the height of intellectual laziness. The two groups simply cannot be compared.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/muslim-reactions-to-swiss-vote-turkey-s-erdogan-says-minaret-ban-is-sign-of-fascism-a-664641.html#ref=rss Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has joined a chorus of international criticism of Switzerland's ban on minarets, saying it reflects an increasingly racist and fascist stance in Europe. The Swiss foreign minister said the vote may pose a threat to the country's security. Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:20:07 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/muslim-reactions-to-swiss-vote-turkey-s-erdogan-says-minaret-ban-is-sign-of-fascism-a-664641.html Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has joined a chorus of international criticism of Switzerland's ban on minarets, saying it reflects an increasingly racist and fascist stance in Europe. The Swiss foreign minister said the vote may pose a threat to the country's security.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-germany-would-also-have-voted-to-ban-minarets-a-664231.html#ref=rss Switzerland's vote to ban minarets is a disaster for its image, write German commentators. The vote doesn't just reflect a fear of "Islamization" but also shows that setbacks in recent years have shaken its national self-confidence. But Germans would probably vote the same way, warn some observers. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:12:49 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-world-from-berlin-germany-would-also-have-voted-to-ban-minarets-a-664231.html Switzerland's vote to ban minarets is a disaster for its image, write German commentators. The vote doesn't just reflect a fear of "Islamization" but also shows that setbacks in recent years have shaken its national self-confidence. But Germans would probably vote the same way, warn some observers.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/opinion-swiss-minaret-ban-reflects-fear-of-islam-not-real-problems-a-664176.html#ref=rss The Swiss have voted in favor of a complete ban on the construction of minarets. But the decision is not a reaction to problems with Muslims in the country. Instead, it reveals a deep-seated fear of Islam. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:04:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/opinion-swiss-minaret-ban-reflects-fear-of-islam-not-real-problems-a-664176.html The Swiss have voted in favor of a complete ban on the construction of minarets. But the decision is not a reaction to problems with Muslims in the country. Instead, it reveals a deep-seated fear of Islam.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/anger-over-anti-islamic-poster-why-the-swiss-are-afraid-of-minarets-a-654963.html#ref=rss A poster featuring a Muslim woman in a chador surrounded by minaret towers that resemble missiles is causing outrage in Switzerland ahead of a referendum next month on whether to ban mosques from having minarets. The campaign is proving so controversial that even some die-hard members of the country's far right are uncomfortable with it. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:32:59 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/anger-over-anti-islamic-poster-why-the-swiss-are-afraid-of-minarets-a-654963.html A poster featuring a Muslim woman in a chador surrounded by minaret towers that resemble missiles is causing outrage in Switzerland ahead of a referendum next month on whether to ban mosques from having minarets. The campaign is proving so controversial that even some die-hard members of the country's far right are uncomfortable with it.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/confrontational-architecture-europe-s-mosques-move-from-back-alleys-to-boulevards-a-583903.html#ref=rss There are plans to build several hundred new and often magnificent mosques throughout Europe -- particularly in Germany. Architecture has become the field of a fierce ideological battle about the visibility of Europe's 16 million Muslims. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:10:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/confrontational-architecture-europe-s-mosques-move-from-back-alleys-to-boulevards-a-583903.html There are plans to build several hundred new and often magnificent mosques throughout Europe -- particularly in Germany. Architecture has become the field of a fierce ideological battle about the visibility of Europe's 16 million Muslims. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/domes-and-minarets-not-in-my-backyard-say-an-increasing-number-of-germans-a-565146.html#ref=rss The planned construction of over 180 mosques in Germany is mobilizing right-wing xenophobes but also an increasing number of leftist critics. They fear the Muslim places of worship will facilitate the establishment of a completely parallel society. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:53:31 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/domes-and-minarets-not-in-my-backyard-say-an-increasing-number-of-germans-a-565146.html The planned construction of over 180 mosques in Germany is mobilizing right-wing xenophobes but also an increasing number of leftist critics. They fear the Muslim places of worship will facilitate the establishment of a completely parallel society. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-online-interview-with-expert-on-right-wing-populism-anti-mosque-initiatives-tap-into-a-fear-of-islam-a-531801.html#ref=rss Across Europe, right-wing populist parties are gaining support by focusing on issues such as the construction of mosques. SPIEGEL ONLINE talks to right-wing populism expert Oliver Geden about the strategies used by the right and the pressure they put on the mainstream. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:35:27 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-online-interview-with-expert-on-right-wing-populism-anti-mosque-initiatives-tap-into-a-fear-of-islam-a-531801.html Across Europe, right-wing populist parties are gaining support by focusing on issues such as the construction of mosques. SPIEGEL ONLINE talks to right-wing populism expert Oliver Geden about the strategies used by the right and the pressure they put on the mainstream.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/we-want-the-cathedral-not-minarets-far-right-mobilizes-against-cologne-mega-mosque-a-489257.html#ref=rss A right-wing citizens' initiative is protesting against Germany's largest mosque, which is being built in Cologne. They have enlisted the efforts of the far-right from Austria and Belgium in their fight against the "Islamization of Europe." Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:42:29 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/we-want-the-cathedral-not-minarets-far-right-mobilizes-against-cologne-mega-mosque-a-489257.html A right-wing citizens' initiative is protesting against Germany's largest mosque, which is being built in Cologne. They have enlisted the efforts of the far-right from Austria and Belgium in their fight against the "Islamization of Europe."]]>