Changes

Islamic terrorism has long plagued the Middle East.  Palestinian terrorists grabbed and murdered eleven Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, shocking the world.  A suicide bomber drove a truck of explosives up to a barracks of American Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, and detonated an explosion that destroyed their building, killing 241 of them in 1983.  Within a year President Reagan pulled American troops out of Beirut.  In March 1998, terrorists bombed American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.  Most suspected Osama Bin Laden as the mastermind behind these attacks.

Islamic terrorism has long plagued the Middle East.  Palestinian terrorists grabbed and murdered eleven Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972, shocking the world.  A suicide bomber drove a truck of explosives up to a barracks of American Marines in Beirut, Lebanon, and detonated an explosion that destroyed their building, killing 241 of them in 1983.  Within a year President Reagan pulled American troops out of Beirut.  In March 1998, terrorists bombed American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.  Most suspected Osama Bin Laden as the mastermind behind these attacks.

But it was not until September 11, 2001 (9-11) that Islamic terrorism hit American soil.  A group of 19 Muslims, most from Saudi Arabia, hijacked American airlines and flew one into each tower of the World Trade Center, a third into the Pentagon (probably after the pilot had trouble locating the White House from the air), and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania as the crew attempted to retake control of the plane from the terrorists.  Nearly 3,000 people died when the World Trade Center collapsed from the resulting fire, as millions watched it live on television.  An outpouring of support for American followed, with only Saddam Hussein of Iraq refusing to fly his flag at half-mast at the United Nations.

But it was not until September 11, 2001 (9-11) that Islamic terrorism hit American soil.  A group of 19 Muslims, most from Saudi Arabia, hijacked American airlines and flew one into each tower of the World Trade Center, a third into the Pentagon (probably after the pilot had trouble locating the White House from the air), and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania as the passengers attempted to retake control of the plane from the terrorists.  Nearly 3,000 people died when the World Trade Center collapsed from the resulting fire, as millions watched it live on television.  An outpouring of support for American followed, with only Saddam Hussein of Iraq refusing to fly his flag at half-mast at the United Nations.

President George W. Bush responded by attacking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, after the Taliban in charge of that nation refused to hand him over.  Bin Laden is the leader of the terrorist organization called al Qaeda (spellings vary in translating that name from Arabic).  Bin Laden fled, but al Qaeda was broken up in Afghanistan, the Taliban was overthrown, and many of Bin Laden’s top aides were killed by the end of 2001.  Although a democratic provisional government has replaced the Taliban there, the persecution of Christians continues.  In 2006, one Christian was targeted for execution by the Afghanistan country merely for converting from Islam, and the United States did not intervene.  International pressure causes a suspension in the punishment.

President George W. Bush responded by attacking Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan, after the Taliban in charge of that nation refused to hand him over.  Bin Laden is the leader of the terrorist organization called al Qaeda (spellings vary in translating that name from Arabic).  Bin Laden fled, but al Qaeda was broken up in Afghanistan, the Taliban was overthrown, and many of Bin Laden’s top aides were killed by the end of 2001.  Although a democratic provisional government has replaced the Taliban there, the persecution of Christians continues.  In 2006, one Christian was targeted for execution by the Afghanistan country merely for converting from Islam, and the United States did not intervene.  International pressure causes a suspension in the punishment.

When immigrants failed to learn and speak the local language, tensions arose.  By the end of the 20th century, there was growing opposition in both the United States and Europe to the large amounts of immigration.   

When immigrants failed to learn and speak the local language, tensions arose.  By the end of the 20th century, there was growing opposition in both the United States and Europe to the large amounts of immigration.   

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration.  But the media then labeled him as a racist and he was badly defeated in the election for president in 2002. But meanwhile Islam is overtaking the Christian French culture, as the mosques are more vibrant than the churches in France now.  In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

The EU removed most internal border patrols, so people now flow freely from one country into the next, such as from Austria into Germany.  The Muslim influx has been particularly high.  In past centuries, churches would play a central role in integrating the immigrants into the local activities and culture.  But churches, which have become largely empty in Europe anyway, cannot integrate the Muslim immigrants.  In France, a racist politician Jean-Marie Le Pen demanded tougher controls against immigration but he was badly defeated in the election for president in 2002. In 2004, France desperately banned the wearing of the Muslim hijab (headscarf) girls in state schools.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools can fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its military rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.

Many European nations now face the controversy of whether to allow women to wear the Muslim coverings.  In late 2006, the Dutch government announced its plan to ban Muslim head coverings in all public places.  In Germany, many teachers are forbidden from wearing the hijab.  A Belgian town banned the burqa (full-body covering) and niqab (a veil that covers only the face) entirely from its streets.  In Britain, schools can fire teachers for wearing face-coverings. Even in the Muslim country of Turkey, its rulers have banned any wearing of the Muslim veil in public buildings since the 1920s, when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the modern Republic of Turkey.

Liberals are alarmed by this Muslim clothing because they frustrate the liberal desire to create a secular, atheistic society.  It becomes difficult to complain about a cross somewhere when women are wearing burqas in glaring display of their faith.  Also, some feminists object to the burqa as discriminatory towards women, subjugating them to an inferior position in society.  Only in the sanctuary of the home do Muslim women remove their coverings.

Liberals are alarmed by this Muslim clothing because they frustrate the liberal desire to create a secular, atheistic society.  It becomes difficult to complain about a cross somewhere when women are wearing burqas in glaring display of their faith.  Also, some feminists object to the burqa as discriminatory towards women, subjugating them to an inferior position in society.  Only in the sanctuary of the home do Muslim women remove their coverings.