ICG: De-Islamization of Europe

Two Women Wearing Burqas

In his commentary this morning, ICG’s Mark Armstrong included the following news article:

Europe’s Backlash Against Islamization
Frontpage Magazine

…France took the first step in trying to stop the spread of Islam by banning any religious symbols from being worn in public schools…Then in November, the Swiss voted in favor of banning the construction of minarets on mosques. This has sparked major movements on the continent to take further measures that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.

One by one, the countries of Europe are placing restrictions on wearing the burqas and niqabs in government buildings or even in public. In April, Belgium became the first of them to pass an all-encompassing ban, and the French Council of Ministers followed by passing a similar ban that the National Assembly has just approved. It is expected to pass the Senate in September…

Now, the Senate in Spain has passed a motion calling on the government to completely ban the wearing of the veil in public…

http://frontpagemag.com/2010/07/15/backlash-against-islamization-in-europe/

This, as prophecy watchers understand, was expected. Europe is getting fed up with Islam and its attempts to demonstrate that it is influencing Europe and taking over parts of European cities. As I have reported before, Europe is taking steps toward de-Islamization (see Burqa Banning in Belgium, Italy, France, and Australia, Anti-Islamic PVV Gaining in the Netherlands, and Switzerland Votes to Ban Minarets).

Voice of America produced the following yesterday about France’s burqa ban:

July 16, 2010

French Burqa Vote Stirs Strong Reaction

France’s lower house of Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favor of banning women from wearing the full Muslim veil – the face-covering niqab and the burqa – in public. Some say the move is necessary for security while others say it is religious discrimination against Muslims.

The vote was overwhelming Tuesday – 336 – 1. ..

A new poll by the Pew Research Center shows that more than 82 percent of the French public approves of the ban. Majorities in Germany (71 percent), Britain (62 percent) and Spain (59 percent) said they would support banning the full-face veils in their own countries. By contrast, in the same poll, a majority of Americans said they would not approve a similar law. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/French-Burqa-Vote-Stirs-Strong-Reaction-98602469.html

Although Americans often think that Europeans are more “liberal”, historically Europe has taken very tough stands against Islam. And will do that again (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

However, it is not just enough to be against something. Europe will also need to be for something. And according to prophecies from the Bible and Catholic sources, it will apparently embrace a changed ecumenical religion that will call itself Catholic, that will be encouraged by one known as the Great Monarch, or as the Bible calls him, the final King of the North.

Islam, on the other hand, is not going to like getting restrictions placed upon it. And despite the fact that pretty much all of the European nations are more tolerant of Islam than most Islamic nations are of non-Islamic religions, these bans in Europe will likely be a rallying cry for the coming Imam Mahdi, or as the Bible calls him, the final King of the South.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What role might non-Arab Iran play?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist?Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.