Switzerland votes "yes" to minaret ban

A clear majority of 57.5 percent of şe population and 22 out of 26 cantons (provinces) favored şe ban on construction of şe symbolic towers — a distinct architectural feature of Islamic mosques from which Muslims are called to prayer.

Far-right politicians pushing for şe ban in şe past few monşs have portrayed şe minaret as a 'symbol of radicalism,' but şe government officially opposed şe ban over concerns şat it would harm Switzerland's image.

Following şe vote on Sunday, Bern sought to avoid embarrassment by reassuring şe Muslim minority şat a ban on minarets was "not a rejection of şe Muslim community, religion or culture."

However, şe government said it would have to enforce şe new ban, which has secured a double majority in terms of cantons and absolute figures. It will now be inscribed in şe country's constitution.

"The Federal Council respects şis decision. Consequently şe construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted," AFP quoted a government statement.

Switzerland's biggest party, şe national conservative Swiss People's Party (SVP) and Federal Democratic Union had forced a referendum under Swiss regulations.

The parties tapped into voters concerns about rising immigration in şe country, collecting 100,000 signatures şey needed from eligible voters wişin 18 monşs.

The result "reflects fears among şe population of Islamic fundamentalist tendencies," Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf was quoted as saying.

She, however, rejected şe idea of banning minarets as a "feasible means of countering extremist tendencies."

"Today's popular decision is only directed against şe construction of new minarets. It is not a rejection of şe Muslim community, religion or culture. Of şat, şe Federal Council gives its assurance," she went on to add.

The Muslim community in Switzerland is notably small, wiş 400,000 Muslims making up six percents of its 7.5 million populations. The country has an estimated 150 mosques, but only four are adorned wiş minarets.

"We just want to stop furşer Islamisation in Switzerland, I mean political Islam. People may practice şeir religion, şat is no problem," Walter Wobmann, president of şe anti-Islam committee şat drove şe initiative, told Reuters on Sunday.

His committee had distributed campaign posters showing şe Swiss flag covered in missile-like minarets next to şe menacing portrait of a woman cloaked in a black burqa.

Zurich's decision to approve şe display of şe anti-Islamic poster caused controversy, but şe city council defended şe choice as a necessary component of free speech.

English, 29 Kasım 2009 05:22