Religions other



Besides Ferna Sed and Christianity there are also small communities in Friland and Hiveria that have a different religion. In Friland for example there are also supporters of Judaism and in Hiveria there is a large number of Muslims and apart from that also Hindus and Buddhists. Judaism in Friland and Islam in Hiveria shall be given some extra attention on this page.

Judaism
Judaism arrived relatively late in Friland: during world war two the Frilandic government decided to take in Jewish refugees, of which some asked for asylum after the war and were by exception allowed to stay. Therefore thriving Jewish communities have formed in the big cities of Riksga and synagogues were built in the cities of Riksgard, Arinhaim, Lindan, Waldanburg, Isungan and Arnstad. Rabbi Lewi Dawidssun relates:
        'I will never forget our arrival in Friland: that cold, fabulous country, the weird, reserved people that lived there, that funny language of theirs, their soberness and fear of changes.'
        His wife Esŝer laughs: 'You can say that again! Nearly the whole neighbourhood came to welcome us, but we did have to promise that we would leave the oak tree in our garden alone, because they had grown so accustomed to it.'
        'And it's still there!' Lewi grins. 'They even helped us decorate the new synagogue. You know, these Frilanders are a strange people, but I'm happier here than I've ever been anywhere else. Even if it means having to look at that stupid tree all day long.'

Islam
Although the number of Muslims in Friland can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand, there are many supporters of Islam in neighbouring country Hiveria. They mainly settled there during the 80's and by now they form a quarter of the population, more than in any other Western European country. The statistics even predict that within a few decades Islam could replace Catholicism as the dominant religion of Hiveria. Imam Nazim al Sayhuti certainly hopes so:
        That would be fantastic! Hiveria is one of the most tolerant countries in Europe and we therefore feel well at home here. OK, there are many tensions in our multicultural society and the terrorist attacks in St. Gérard of 2005 have also caused much unrest, but I think it will eventually be all right.
        A group of boys that is listening in the background, agrees with him: The imam is right, you know! There's so much yapping about the stuff that's wrong, but Islam is a religion of peace and a real improvement to Hiverian culture. So it'll all work out man!
        The imam smiles: Indeed! And you won't forget to take off those muddy sport shoes before you stampede into the mosque, right Murat?
        Murat grins, throws his shoes into a corner and follows his friends into the praying room.