Is the Right to Pray Being Taken Over by Pigs?

In Norway, the anti-immigration politicians have threatened to chase off praying Muslims by hanging pigs' feet and playing pig squeals over a loud speaker. Obviously having a public prayer service concerns them.

The mosque in which local Muslims pray, is being rebuilt and is running behind schedule, leaving local Muslims with no building to pray in. It was declared by Labor Party politician, Jerad Abdelmajid that they would be allowed to pray in Torgallmenningen, which is the town of Bergen's central square. This announcement by Abdelmajid started a very heated debate amongst the local politicians.

Kenneth Rasmussen, is a city council member that is starting the threats against the Muslims, and he is not lacking in supporters. The leader of the "Demokratene," an extreme populist party formed by outcasts of the populist Progress Party, Vidar Kleppe was quoted as saying: "I completely agree with Kenneth Rasmussen that Muslims having their Friday prayers with their butts in the air in the city center is no solution. They can find other places."

There are a lot of prejudices being sited against Muslims, not only here in America, but obviously other countries around the world as the Muslim faith becomes more popular. Here in America, a county who's foundation rests upon religious freedom, it is surprising that there are not more stories similar to this one making the news. There are good people, some of whom happened to be of a Muslim faith, and there are also "bad" people, which can be of varying religious backgrounds.

To be honest, I don't know the logistics of Norway's political system and how this can be allowed to happen. Because one doesn't like the look of people praying, stands to show there is a severe lack of tolerance towards others of different faiths. Would they do the same to Christians? For some reason, I tend not to think so. Is it fair to a "good" Muslim to be chased away from a ritual that they so firmly believe in, by displaying things that are harmful to their religion?

While America is not perfect, I'm glad that we have the right to practice our preferred religion. The rise in the Muslim population however, does have some people on edge. Is it justified? One can never know. However, I will continue to pray as I see fit, and I would hope that no one would take away that right from me.