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Swiss to Vote on Minaret Ban

Referendum this month sparks fear of Muslim backlash

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 5, 2009 6:47 AM CST

(Newser) – Swiss government and business leaders are having a panic attack over a referendum that would ban minarets on mosques—and, they fear, make the country a target for Islamic terrorism. The handiwork of the anti-immigrant Swiss People's Party, infamous for an earlier campaign poster showing a white sheep kicking a black sheep out of Switzerland, the referendum will be voted on Nov. 29. Only four of the 150 mosques in Switzerland have minarets, the Wall Street Journal notes, and sound-pollution laws already ban amplified calls to prayer.

Polls show 53% of voters oppose the ban and 34% support it. Should it pass, business leaders fear a backlash against their products in Muslim countries, an important market for Swiss goods. "The brand 'Swiss' must continue to represent values such as openness, pluralism, and freedom of religion," a Swatch exec tells the Journal. "Under no circumstances must it be brought in connection with hatred, animosity towards foreigners, and narrow-mindedness."

A man passes a poster of the right-wing Swiss People's Party which shows a woman wearing a burqa against a background of a Swiss flag with several minarets resemble missiles in Geneva, Nov. 4, 2009.
A man passes a poster of the right-wing Swiss People's Party which shows a woman wearing a burqa against a background of a Swiss flag with several minarets resemble missiles in Geneva, Nov. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Salvatore Di Nolfi)
The minaret and dome of the Birmingham Central Mosque dominate the skyline as Muslims arrive for Friday prayers on 2 February, 2007, Birmingham, England.
The minaret and dome of the Birmingham Central Mosque dominate the skyline as Muslims arrive for Friday prayers on 2 February, 2007, Birmingham, England.   (Getty Images)
Pedestrians walk below posters of an initiative promoting a Yes to ban the erection of minarets in Switzerland, in Zurich, Oct 26, 2009. Voting on the initiative is to be held on Nov. 29, 2009.
Pedestrians walk below posters of an initiative promoting a "Yes" to ban the erection of minarets in Switzerland, in Zurich, Oct 26, 2009. Voting on the initiative is to be held on Nov. 29, 2009.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Steffen Schmidt)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 32 comments
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 7, 2009 8:51 AM CST
Also, banning the minaret would be in effect banning free speech. People who wish to be free should fight against any such ban.
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 7, 2009 8:44 AM CST
What an informative and intersting report. Your intellectual skills are astounding.
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 7, 2009 8:36 AM CST
You identify yourself with your words. We know what you are.

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