Constructing conflict- mosque-building in European cities
Plans of constructing mosques trigger more tensions than any other local issue in several European cities. All over Europe, mosque-building plans are inducing conflicts, particularly in local and municipal affairs. Supporters and opponents of the mosque construction plans have recognized that this issue is far more political explosive than drains or libraries. Mosque construction plans in Berlin, Cologne, London, Rome, and Marseille have divided local people, authorities and drawn global attention. The main critiques against the mosque building plans contain of the fear that the number of mosques is rising much faster than the number of Muslims. This assertion is difficult to verify. Statisticians cannot even agree on the definition of a mosque for there is no standard criteria on what a mosque should constitute of. Recently some Western governments have started to work more closely with Muslim minorities and encourage the building of new mosques. However, the question, on why so many conflicts persist, remains unanswered? The truth is, for every mosque that is averted, many other projects are accepted. As Muslim and non-Muslim elites are getting better at understanding one another in some countries, it is more questionable if local politics will develop in the same direction. Given the dividends that some local politicians are reaping from backing mosques, or opposing them, that seems a less sure bet, according to the Economist.
