Lessons from Switzerland

Lessons from Switzerland differences to promote unity, thinking this would engender unity. However, this is an unworkable and impractical idea. Moreover, that is why this approach has not succeeded to date. The fact is that unity is the name for being united despite differences and not being united by eliminating differences. A thousand or so years ago, Muslims entered present-day Switzerland. However, their presence lasted only a short while and ended without any significant outcome. Professor George Richard Potter (d.1981), who was a medieval history professor at the University of Sheffield, and who coauthored a book titled, A Short History of Switzerland, notes, ‘In the 10th century, Muslims reached Swiss territory, but they were too far from their base to have anything more than nuisance value.’ In the past, for several centuries, Switzerland witnessed many wars and conflicts, including the conflict between Roman Catholics and Protestants and the war with Russia, Germany, and France. However, the national policy of Switzerland was always based on two principles—Peace and neutrality. On account of this policy, Switzerland is today regarded as among the most peaceful and