what countermeasures should the government of a liberal demo-cracy put in place if a considerable number of radical Islamist zealots were to immigrate in mass to England with the aim of pursuing a political agenda based on the literal application of the Qur-an? We refer here to the verses regarding the relations between Muslim believers and infidels, that – if read in their literal meaning – would escalate the level of inter-faith violence within the country.11 10 For further discussion, see Cohen-Almagor (1994: 79-87). 11 See, for instance, Surah 47, verse 4 of the Qur-an: “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; at length, when ye have thoroughly sub-dued them, bind (the captives) firmly: therefore (is the time for) either generosity or ransom”; Surah 8, verse 39: “And fight them on until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes Allah’s in its entirety”; Surah 8, verse 60: “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike ter-ror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies”; Surah 4, verse 56: “Those who reject our signs, we shall soon cast into the fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, we shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Chas- Liberalism, Tolerance and Multiculturalism 9 In this case, again, the principles and values characterizing the community of immigrants are not compatible with the preservation of a liberal democratic soci-ety. Just as in the case of fascists, England’s democratic society would be enti-tled to defend itself and the bases on which peaceful coexistence in a liberal democracy rest. Access into the country, therefore, could be legitimately denied on the grounds that instigation to violence and inter-faith hatred are not compati-ble with the rules of a liberal democracy
Posted on: Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:25:28 +0000