Switzerland: Anti-minaret petition to go to national referendum

Swiss nationalists say they have enough signatures to force a nationwide referendum on whether to ban the construction of minarets.


Initiative Committee Co-President Ulrich Schlueer says 103,000 signatures have been verified, exceeding the required minimum of 100,000. The scheduling of the vote likely will take months.


The referendum if approved would enshrine in the Swiss constitution a ban on the Muslim call-to-prayer towers built next to mosques.


The organizers say they are acting against the political spread of Islam. Opponents say a ban would violate religious freedom.


Schlueer confirmed a report Sunday in the weekly NZZ am Sonntag.


Source: Jpost (English)


See also: Switzerland: Bishop suggest monitoring mosques, Switzerland: Move for vote on minarets

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