Swiss vote to ban construction of minarets on mosques

[BlackTerrel]

This is pretty shocking. It is meant only to limit the religious expression of one group, and I imagine will be overturned by their Supreme Court. Still shocking that it passed with 57% of the vote, especially in a country like Switzerland.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/29/switzerland-bans-mosque-minarets

* News
* World news
* Switzerland

Swiss vote to ban construction of minarets on mosques

Vote represents blow to Switzerland's political establishment

* Buzz up!
* Digg it

* Ian Traynor, Europe editor
* guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 November 2009 22.36 GMT
* Article history

One of only four minarets in Switzerland

One of only four minarets in Switzerland, on a Muslim centre in Wangen bei Olten, contrasts with a church tower. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

Switzerland became the first country in Europe todayto vote to curb the religious practices of Muslims when a referendum banning the construction of minarets on mosques was backed by a solid majority.

The surprise result, banning minarets in a country that has only four mosques with minarets and no major problems with Islamist militancy, stunned the Swiss establishment, which was bracing itself for a backlash in the Middle East.

The result looks likely to cause strife where there was relative peace, sully the country's image abroad, damage investment and trade with the Muslim world, and set back efforts to integrate a population of some 400,000 Muslims, most of whom are European Muslims – and non-mosque-goers – from the Balkans.

The campaign to ban minarets was described by the country's justice minister as a "proxy war" for drumming up conflict between ethnic Swiss and Muslim immigrants. But the ban was supported by a majority of 57.5%, 20 percentage points more than predicted in opinion polls in the run-up to the vote.

"The federal council [the body that constitutes the federal government] respects this decision," said a government statement tonight . "The construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted."

While surprising, the verdict raised the question of whether such curbs on Muslims would be replicated across Europe were voters given their say. If Switzerland is the only country in Europe to embark on such a ban, that may be because its system of plebiscitary democracy compels single-issue referendums if petitions amass enough signatures.

Across Europe, far-right parties have been scoring gains in recent years on anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant platforms.

The result represented a triumph for the far-right populist Swiss People's party, which organised the petition paving the way for the referendum. In opposition, the SPP became the strongest party in Switzerland two years ago largely by running a robust campaign, denounced as racist by the UN, against immigrants.

The result also represented an act of mass defiance of the national establishment. The government, mainstream political parties, the churches, the main newspapers, the national president, the powerful business lobby, and the Vatican all opposed the ban, but it was backed by 22 of the country's 26 cantons on a national turnout of more than 53% .

As a result, the article of the national constitution regulating relations between the state and religion will be amended to include the bald statement: "The construction of minarets is forbidden."...

 

[Fozz]

I lost my respect for Switzerland after this vote.

 

[columbusviking]

What a blatant censorship of people's rights. Switzerland wasn't on the radar of the more extreme Islamic groups, but I would guess they are now. What a sad and unnecessary action on the behalf of this government.

 

[klamath]

What a blatant censorship of people's rights. Switzerland wasn't on the radar of the more extreme Islamic groups, but I would guess they are now. What a sad and unnecessary action on the behalf of this government.

The government from what I can tell was against it. The people voted for it.

 

[BlackTerrel]

The government was against it. From what I can tell Swiss can vote on laws similar to how Californians vote on props.

The result also represented an act of mass defiance of the national establishment. The government, mainstream political parties, the churches, the main newspapers, the national president, the powerful business lobby, and the Vatican all opposed the ban

This will likely get struck down by the Supreme Court.

 

[Liberty Star]

It's a demagoguery move that will achieve nothing and will be over turned. Their jewish bretheren are united with swiss muslims against this vote as they see their religion could be next.

On the one hand Swiss take large number of Iraqi refugees, OTOH their new refugees can't practice their religion freely. It's not logical policy that will only create trade problems for them.

 

[BlackTerrel]

I wonder if Obama will mention it:

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also urged the president to use his Tuesday address at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to speak out against the decision by Swiss voters to ban construction of minarets, a move that is a violation of religious freedom and a breach of international law.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...-abuse-claims-swiss-minaret-ban-78096557.html

 

[Reason]

swissfail

 

[Give me liberty]

For once i am going to side with Switzerland on this one

you guys who are defending it like that idiotic human rights group have no clue on whats really happening in Europe the so called minarets on mosques have speakers towers or just speakers on them each morning the prayer comes on, atleast thats how life is in the new Bosnia everywhere you go to in bosnia there are.


minarets with speakers, some people even some Muslims are getting tried of it that thing is loud, dont attack Switzerland.


If Muslims want build the minarets they can do it in there own homelands cant they?
i mean your homelands sure have more land values, then america or eupore for that matter, no offence but i dont want the

minarets in eupore.



if you want exercise your religion that's fine, but its not fine by building minarets say where have you seen a church been built in some Arab countries?

for those who are defending the actions taken by the people of switzerland remember to think before you say something, oh and dont say to me that Israel has churchs i dont count israel i only meant arab countries.


Maybe you could find me if they allow us to built churchs in there homelands no?

and also bushviking thats not censorship of people's rights.


Another thing switzerland has mosques this has nothing to do with mosques but the thing between the mosque.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/220089848_0c84556887.jpg
http://www.mosque.ch/uploads/images/Moasasah.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2855980470_9b3dd5bba3.jpg
speaker on minaret…

^ thats what the ban is all out about.

 

[raiha]

Minarets are pretty on the skyline. Can't they just ban the speakers?

 

[prmd142]

whenever there is friction between a society & a religion, invariably the religion will be Islam more often than not. These days everybody - Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists seems to have problems with Muslims or Muslims with them... And even the ever neutral swiss are guarded about it, just shows how much damage it (Islam) has done to its own image. I would 've opposed it if it was a vote by the government. but I believe given the freedom, people always make right decisions. Today they want to construct minarets.. tomorrow they want mosques within shouting distance from one another all in the name of religious freedom. However Freedom & Islam never fit in the same sentence together...

I 've many good Muslim friends. and one thing common to all of them is they don't take their religion seriously! coincidence? I don't think so....

And why should this upset middle east??? it is not in their country.... It is switzerland's internal matter. that's the problem when religion comes before national identity

Hats off to swiss people for not giving a damn about political correctness!

 

[Pauls' Revere]

I lost my respect for Switzerland after this vote.

I lost it when they supported Hitler.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nazis/

http://www.worldfreeinternet.net/news/nws39.htm

In news stories over the last two years, the world has learned that the Swiss were hardly the beset-upon neutrals that they have claimed to be but instead were full partners with the Nazis. Moreover, as Tom Bower's masterly chronicle, "Nazi Gold," makes clear, the Nazis could never have prevailed as long as they did without the Swiss. Indeed, as Bower makes clear, the war would most likely have ended a full year earlier had it not been for the financial intervention of Swiss bankers.

 

[Fozz]

For once i am going to side with Switzerland on this one

you guys who are defending it like that idiotic human rights group have no clue on whats really happening in Europe the so called minarets on mosques have speakers towers or just speakers on them each morning the prayer comes on, atleast thats how life is in the new Bosnia everywhere you go to in bosnia there are.


minarets with speakers, some people even some Muslims are getting tried of it that thing is loud, dont attack Switzerland.


If Muslims want build the minarets they can do it in there own homelands cant they?
i mean your homelands sure have more land values, then america or eupore for that matter, no offence but i dont want the

minarets in eupore.



if you want exercise your religion that's fine, but its not fine by building minarets say where have you seen a church been built in some Arab countries?

for those who are defending the actions taken by the people of switzerland remember to think before you say something, oh and dont say to me that Israel has churchs i dont count israel i only meant arab countries.


Maybe you could find me if they allow us to built churchs in there homelands no?

and also bushviking thats not censorship of people's rights.


Another thing switzerland has mosques this has nothing to do with mosques but the thing between the mosque.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/57/220089848_0c84556887.jpg
http://www.mosque.ch/uploads/images/Moasasah.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2855980470_9b3dd5bba3.jpg
speaker on minaret…

^ thats what the ban is all out about.

Your post is incoherent and utterly nonsensical, and false. Switzerland's mosques which have minarets do not have speakers on the minarets, nor is the call to prayer done from it. The minarets are there for architectural design---that is it.

 

[Fozz]

I lost it when they supported Hitler.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/nazis/

They were neutral in WWII.

 

[Fozz]

whenever there is friction between a society & a religion, invariably the religion will be Islam more often than not. These days everybody - Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists seems to have problems with Muslims or Muslims with them... And even the ever neutral swiss are guarded about it, just shows how much damage it (Islam) has done to its own image. I would 've opposed it if it was a vote by the government. but I believe given the freedom, people always make right decisions. Today they want to construct minarets.. tomorrow they want mosques within shouting distance from one another all in the name of religious freedom. However Freedom & Islam never fit in the same sentence together...

I 've many good Muslim friends. and one thing common to all of them is they don't take their religion seriously! coincidence? I don't think so....

And why should this upset middle east??? it is not in their country.... It is switzerland's internal matter. that's the problem when religion comes before national identity

Hats off to swiss people for not giving a damn about political correctness!

Your post is full of bigoted nonsense and it is reminiscent of something that the banned user "Objectivist" would post.

Votes like this are the reason why pure democracy is a bad idea, and this is an example of taking away religious freedom. And your definition of "political correctness" is utterly nonsensical. The only European country that is being PC with the Muslim issue is Great Britain. Do you praise FDR for imprisoning Japanese Americans and not caring about political correctness? Or is it only Muslims who you hate? If so, you might as well join the neocons, since their primary goal is to slaughter as many Muslims as possible.

 

[BlackTerrel]

whenever there is friction between a society & a religion, invariably the religion will be Islam more often than not. These days everybody - Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists seems to have problems with Muslims or Muslims with them...

Religions and different minority groups are engaged in all kinds of conflict around the world. Always been that way. Sad but true, and it's not just Islam. But things are getting better.

I 've many good Muslim friends. and one thing common to all of them is they don't take their religion seriously! coincidence? I don't think so....

Why is it that every bigot on the internet always prefaces their statements with "I have many good friends who are X"... Only took you your whole of two posts to figure it out.

 

[Give me liberty]

Hey Fozz i would buy you a ticket to bosnia but cant, due to crisis.
so you can see some with the speakers


The minarets are there for architectural design---that is it.
really? lol just wait when you visit bosnia

 

[prmd142]

@ fozz, blackterrel

religious freedom you say....

if a Muslim says that he has a right to kill a person because that person insulted his religion/god/prophet do you call that religious freedom? and yes quran grants him that permission... there are violent verses in quran. And I've heard old bible is no different. But remember Christianity went through renaissance period and in most countries church & state are separate... But Islam never under went any changes/revival since 7th century. it has always resisted change. That's why it'll always be in friction with modern civilization.

And if I wanted all Muslims dead then there would be difference between me & those who follow hate ideology. I believe no killing can ever be justified unless it is done in self-defense...

Religions have done more harm to humanity than good. There is no god... get over it!

stop calling people names if you can't put forth your argument in a reasonable manner.

 

[prmd142]

correction - I meant there would be NO difference between me and them

 

[devil21]

Why not just ban the speakers then?

I think everyone can agree that blaring sound, whatever it may be, into the homes of people that don't want it is a violation of individual rights. There, problem solved. Muslims can practice their faith all they want and no one else has to be disturbed by it. But that means you have to take the bells out of the Christian churches too. Ha fat chance right?