Swiss
Swiss vote delivers blow to architectural freedom
Imagine outlawing in America the construction of a particular architectural element because some citizens perceive it to be culturally undesirable or symbolically threatening
Iran outraged over Swiss vote for banning minarets
An East-West clash over a Swiss referendum last week banning the construction of mosque minarets heated up today as Iran’s foreign minister warned of unspecified “consequences” if the ban were enforced.
Manouchehr Mottaki spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey. Switzerland and Iran generally have good relations. The Swiss serve as Washington’s representative in the Iranian capital in the absence of formal relations between America and the Islamic Republic, giving them exalted status in Tehran’s diplomatic circles.
But Mottaki had harsh words for Switzerland, saying enforcement of the ban on new minarets was “against the prestige of a country which claims to be an advocate of democracy and human rights” and would “damage Switzerland’s image as a pioneer of respecting human rights among Muslims’ public opinion,” according to a report by the official Islamic Republic News Agency, or IRNA. Source: LA Times
Analysis: The utterly idiotic Swiss minaret building ban
Switzerland’s decision to adopt a referendum banning the construction of minarets is hard to see as anything other than an act of bigotry against Muslims.
Muslim leaders condemn the Swiss vote to ban minarets
Muslim leaders from around the world condemned a vote in Switzerland to ban the construction of minarets in the Alpine country, raising fresh fears of a backlash against Swiss interests around the world. Source: WSJ
Swiss official: Voter approval banning minarets could be struck down in court
A top Swiss official said Monday that voter approval of a ban on minarets next to mosques could be struck down in court, as critics at home and abroad swiftly condemned the vote, saying it undermined the country’s liberal, secular image. Legal experts have questioned whether the ban on the Islamic towers used for the call to prayer is compatible with Switzerland’s constitution and international human rights law. “The ban contradicts the European Convention on Human Rights,” Zurich daily Blick cited Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf as saying. Source: AP
Swiss voters over minarets anger Muslims around the world
Anger was swift from more militant wings of the Muslim world in reaction to yesterday’s decision by Swiss voters to outlaw the construction of minarets. “This is the hatred of Swiss people against Muslim communities. They do not want to see a Muslim presence in their country and this intense dislike has made them intolerant,” said Maskuri Abdillah, the head of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s biggest Muslim group. He urged Muslims not to take “revenge” for the decision. Source: Times on Line
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