It is no exaggeration to consider the vote by 57% of citizens in Switzerland to ban the installment of new minarets (to be incorporated into the constitution) as the most serious indicator of the cultural clash between European identity and Muslim identity in Europe. It is true that there have been incidents that Muslims considered as violations for their religious freedoms in previous years, but the Swiss situation is more awkward.

Previously, the French government has decided to prevent expressions of all religious symbols (not just the headscarf) in public schools and universities (not private) in line with the principles of secularism in France. This approach was by the government and directed equally to all religions. Two newspapers in Denmark have published cartoons that were abusive to the Prophet Mohammad PBUH and the Danish government did protect this behavior relying on the principles of "freedom of expression," which also violates the sanctities of Christianity (but not Judaism in fear of being labeled as antisemites)

In Germany the veiled Muslim women Marwa El-Sherbini was stabbed to death in a courtroom by a fanatic German, but the German justice system intervened in a strong and decisive manner and sentenced the killer to life in prison.

In Switzerland the majority of citizens (not the government or media outlets or individuals) sent a collective statement that was racial against symbols of Islam in particular, and contrary to the principles of freedom of religious expression and secularism. This public statement did receive support from the government which reflects the existence of a large proportion of intolerance and fear of Islam in Switzerland. What made the situation worse was that the campaign led by the Swiss right was based on a hateful propaganda that has promoted an image of resemblance between the minarets of mosques and missiles threatening the security in Switzerland.

The vote did not pass quietly in Europe, and there were objections from political forces and media outlets in Switzerland. In fact almost all reactions in Europe were negative with the exception of the right in the Netherlands, which demanded that a referendum similar to the one in Switzerland be conducted in the Netherlands.

The Vatican and all human rights organizations criticized the outcome of this vote with the clear intentions of protecting the values and principles of religious freedoms. The European response was not necessarily a sympathy call to Muslims, although it is highly appreciated but the main purpose is to protect the secular European values, which should ensure the freedom of worship, rituals and religious symbols for everyone.  

The Muslim community in Switzerland and Europe is quite right in its strong opposition to this referendum and it is necessary to implement an organized and civilized programme for advocacy activities against the resolution. However it is much more beneficial that Muslims in Europe do take leadership in this campaign as they are most aware of the realities of the status of Muslims living in Europe and the laws governing public freedoms there. Perhaps the best that could be offered to Muslims in Europe is to reduce the severity of the traditional reactions from the Arab and Muslim world that is both inflammatory and violent and will only result in further intolerance against Muslims in Europe.