Switzerland: Politician apologizes for calling to ban Jewish, Muslim cemeteries
A Swiss politician has apologized today for calling for a ban on Jewish and Muslim cemeteries two days after the country voted to outlaw minarets on mosques.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean it like that," said Christopher Darbellay, president of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland, a centrist party and the smallest member of the government coalition.
"It was about the principle that we all belong to the same Swiss society," he added.
In his call for the ban, Darbellay said, "I don't imagine that in this country, every religion or sect can have a separate cemetery in every town. It wouldn't be manageable to make these exceptions. ... Principle requires that one does not distinguish on the basis of origin or religion."
Darbellay has also called for a ban on burkas or veils worn by some Muslim women.
Switzerland made international headlines Sunday when residents voted to add a line to their constitution banning the construction of minarets, or prayer towers, on mosques. The initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, passed by more than 57 percent of voters.
"The minute you have minarets in Europe it means Islam will have taken over," said one SPP politician.
(more)
Source: TPM Livewire (English)
A Swiss politician has apologized today for calling for a ban on Jewish and Muslim cemeteries two days after the country voted to outlaw minarets on mosques.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean it like that," said Christopher Darbellay, president of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland, a centrist party and the smallest member of the government coalition.
"It was about the principle that we all belong to the same Swiss society," he added.
In his call for the ban, Darbellay said, "I don't imagine that in this country, every religion or sect can have a separate cemetery in every town. It wouldn't be manageable to make these exceptions. ... Principle requires that one does not distinguish on the basis of origin or religion."
Darbellay has also called for a ban on burkas or veils worn by some Muslim women.
Switzerland made international headlines Sunday when residents voted to add a line to their constitution banning the construction of minarets, or prayer towers, on mosques. The initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, passed by more than 57 percent of voters.
"The minute you have minarets in Europe it means Islam will have taken over," said one SPP politician.
(more)
Source: TPM Livewire (English)
No comments:
Post a Comment