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Thu, Feb 09 2012
Swiss holding referendum on a ban on minarets
The minaret of the mosque of the Islamic Cultural Foundation at Grand-Saconnex in Geneva, one of the just four minarets in the country.
Swiss citizens go to the polls on November 29 2009 to decide on a ban on construction of minarets attached to mosques, the BBC said.
The referendum follows a proposal put forward by the Swiss People’s Party, the largest party in the Swiss parliament.
According to the party, the minarets were divisive political symbols and signs of an increasing Islamic presence in Switzerland.
The BBC said that Christian groups in the country have supported the ban which many think would cause controversy because Islam is the most widespread religion in Switzerland after Christianity, with 400 000 Muslims in Switzerland, and just four minarets across the country.
Amnesty International has said that the ban would violate Switzerland's obligations to freedom of religious expression.
There are unofficial Muslim prayer rooms, and planning for new minarets is almost always refused, the BBC said.
The Swiss government is urging voters to reject a ban. The proposal is for a one-line addition to the Swiss constitution, saying that the construction of minarets is forbidden.
The BBC quoted opinion polls ahead of the vote as being close, with signs that a small majority would reject the ban.
According to the BBC, most of Switzerland's Muslims come from the former Yugoslavia, and there is no history of Islamic extremism, but supporters of a ban say minarets are far more than religious architecture.
The referendum follows a proposal put forward by the Swiss People’s Party, the largest party in the Swiss parliament.
According to the party, the minarets were divisive political symbols and signs of an increasing Islamic presence in Switzerland.
The BBC said that Christian groups in the country have supported the ban which many think would cause controversy because Islam is the most widespread religion in Switzerland after Christianity, with 400 000 Muslims in Switzerland, and just four minarets across the country.
Amnesty International has said that the ban would violate Switzerland's obligations to freedom of religious expression.
There are unofficial Muslim prayer rooms, and planning for new minarets is almost always refused, the BBC said.
The Swiss government is urging voters to reject a ban. The proposal is for a one-line addition to the Swiss constitution, saying that the construction of minarets is forbidden.
The BBC quoted opinion polls ahead of the vote as being close, with signs that a small majority would reject the ban.
According to the BBC, most of Switzerland's Muslims come from the former Yugoslavia, and there is no history of Islamic extremism, but supporters of a ban say minarets are far more than religious architecture.
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The Swiss people have shown themselves to be hateful lying (based on poles) Islamophobes who distrust and dislike their Muslim neighbors. Shame on them for being so hateful of their neighbors and for violating the Swiss Muslims' right to religious freedom. I for one will not use Nestle anymore there's plenty of fine non-Swiss chocolate for sale and it will taste even sweeter knowing that the hateful Swiss fascists won't be benefiting from my money. I encourage all people who want to defend the freedom of religion to boycott Swiss products until this fascist law is repealed and the rights [...]
Read the full comment of Muslims living in Switzerland are fully respected.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
Real,
I am a Muslim and I can assure you Christians Enjoy more freedom and more safety in Muslim countries than even in India or China.
I am sure you haven't read how Christians have been mass murdered in these countries.
Sorry to say you are looking at it from wrong direction.
The Swiss are quite within their rights to tell outsiders to mind their own business.
+1 for bigotry
such extremist views shouldnt be supported by any civilized nation, freedom of speech and religion must be ensured for all including muslims
The way I look at it is in islamic countrys christian women are forced to cover them selfs, and christians arnt alowd to buy alchol. So why cant christian countrys put similar bans on things like this. Why is it ok for Christians to be walked over
i am disgraced about this it is to do with religion it does'nt do any harm