The Swiss Hand Shake

There's a centuries old tradition in Swiss schools that is being challenged by immigrants recently.  The tradition is that students shake hands with their teacher at the beginning and end of each day.  It's a sign of respect.  Recently two Muslim boys, ages 14 and 15, who refused to shake hands with their female teacher because of religious beliefs, took the case to court.  Initially the court ruled for the boys, but there was such an uproar by the people of Switzerland that the boys were granted an exemption from hand shaking because of their beliefs, that the decision was overturned and it was decided that the boys would have to adhere to the traditions of Switzerland.  This was more than a quarrel over hand shakes.  It was fight over whether the Swiss would be masters in their own house or whether they would be forced to yield, by the granting of special treatment, to the Islamic view of the proper relations between the sexes.  It's a small battle but significant, between the Muslim immigrants and the indigenous Swiss.

The Swiss feel that at the smallest and seemingly inconsequential levels, Muslims are challenging laws and customs.  Each victory or defeat will determine whether Muslims will truly integrate into a Western society or instead, refashion that society to meet Muslim requirements.  The rest of the Western world is also facing similar kinds of law suits.  In France and the U.S., Muslims have gone to court over the right to wear head scarfs or burkas in the workplace, at school, and having their DMV picture taken.  It's easy to see both sides of the issue.  Most countries want Muslims to assimilate into society, but at the same time keep their traditions.  Who is right?  I have a feeling this is a topic we will not all agree on.