Slovak Muslims Fight for Image, Recognition
Born To Serve Islam
By Ahmed Al-Matboli, IOL Correspondent
VIENNA, November 14, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - Slovak Muslims find themselves
between a rock and a hard place as their religion is not recognized by the
state and they increasingly feel unwelcome by the central European Catholic
country despite painstaking efforts to reach out to the other.
"Muslim efforts to build Islamic centers or mosques have been dogged by
expected snarl-ups though the minority is on the rise and the existing
places of worship are really bursting at the seams with the faithful,"
Mohammad Safwan, member of the Islamic Waqfs Foundation in the capital
Bratislava, told IslamOnline.net Monday, November 14.
Safwan said his foundation owns a 1,000-square-meter in the capital to build
a grand mosque and Islamic center, alas, authorities have severally refused
to issue a construction license.
"Every time they come up with feeble excuses," he said, adding that their
reluctance was alienating the Muslim minority in the country, which is 68%
Roman Catholic.
He went on: "We don't have an umbrella body to speak for the minority and
liaise with authorities simply because the state refuses to recognize
Islam."
Persona Non Grata
The Muslim activist further regretted that lay people were looking down on
Muslims due to spreading stereotypes.
"I'm sorry to say that Muslims are persona non grata in Slovakia," Safwan
said. "Slovaks unfortunately are taking these stereotypes for granted, which
is the main obstacle to Muslim integration.
"The Slovaks further recall bitter historical memories related to the
150-year Turkish presence in the country, taking it as a pretext to bear
grudge towards modern Muslims."
There are some 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia out of 5.4 million population. Only
four mosques have been constructed so far across the country.
Success Stories
But the minority did not give in to the state or public rejection, trying
their best to defend their much-stereotyped religion and proving that they
can play a pivotal role in society.
"Muslim leaders and activists have embarked on a media campaign through
appearing on TV interviews or speaking to prominent newspapers," Safwan
said.
"We are also keen on holding Islamic exhibitions to answer curious questions
from many Slovaks."
Muslim intellectuals have also extensively translated famed Islamic books
into Slovak to remove the language barrier, IOL correspondent says.
Safwan said there is a number of success stories for Muslims, who stood as a
shining example for Muslims in the country.
"We have a Muslim physician who heads plastic surgery department in one of
the leading hospitals in Bratislava in addition to heavyweight Turkish and
Arab businessmen," he said.
http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2005-11/14/article03.shtml