Swiss voters on Sunday adopted a referendum banning the construction of minarets, seen by some on the far right as a sign of encroaching Islamism.

"The Federal Council respects this decision," said a statement from Switzerland's government. "Consequently the construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted. The four existing minarets will remain.

"It will also be possible to continue to construct mosques," the government statement said. "Muslims in Switzerland are able to practice their religion alone or in community with others, and live according to their beliefs just as before."

Continue
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/29/switzerland.minaret.referendum/index.html

SeanT21:

Swiss voters on Sunday adopted a referendum banning the construction of minarets, seen by some on the far right as a sign of encroaching Islamism.

"The Federal Council respects this decision," said a statement from Switzerland's government. "Consequently the construction of new minarets in Switzerland is no longer permitted. The four existing minarets will remain.

"It will also be possible to continue to construct mosques," the government statement said. "Muslims in Switzerland are able to practice their religion alone or in community with others, and live according to their beliefs just as before."

Continue
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11/29/switzerland.minaret.referendum/index.html

They banned minarets and not mosques, no need to turn everything into discrimination. It could be as simple as, some people just didn't see minarets as a part of Swiss architecture or the modern day Switzerland skyline. I respect that the swiss could vote without the fear of trying to be politically correct. In certain parts of Paris, you are not allowed to build past a particular height, not sure the specific areas but I think in places around the champs elysees, arc de triomphe and eiffel tower. A lot of european countries have their particular culture and architecture, I guess the swiss just didn't see minarets in theirs, no biggie.

Sky Blue:

They banned minarets and[b] not mosques, no need to turn everything into discrimination. [/b]

She never said mosques.

Anyway thats old news.

Ikomi:

She never said mosques. 

Anyway thats old news.

It is old news. Didn't say she claimed mosques were banned. Was just pointing out that mosques weren't banned so it is not necessarily the kind of discrimination a lot of major media outlets have been alluding to. Was simply commenting on the article she posted.

Sky Blue you have no right to comment on the article.

Ikomi:

Sky Blue you have no right to comment on the article.

?? And why is that?

I cant let the cat out of the bag! There watching.

Ikomi:

I cant let the cat out of the bag! There watching.

Sorry but you are not making any sense, have a nice day

You too.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-france-muslims1-2009dec01,0,965955.story

Reporting from Paris - The decision by Swiss voters to ban minarets on Muslim houses of worship resonated across neighboring France on Monday, stoking an already emotional debate on whether burkas should be banned in public and coloring a government-sponsored debate over what it means to be French.

Commentators and officials in France and across Europe took sides Monday on the surprise Swiss decision, passed in a referendum the previous day. French lawmakers who support banning the burka, the all-covering garment worn by some Muslim women, defended themselves against accusations that the move would fuel a growing phobia against Islam in Europe.

French Socialist Party spokesman Benoit Hamon said the Swiss decision in effect blamed Muslims for "all of Western society's ills," and compared it to the three-month-long public debates on French identity spearheaded by conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I regret that the president is surrendering himself to this type of stigmatization of foreigners and immigrants by associating national identity and immigration," Hamon said on RTL French radio.

more on the link.

Even if they want to ban mosques or churches for that matter - that is their business.

As long as the process was democratic and the[b] citizens[/b] of the country voted, then no biggie. Personally I don't want to be driving around seeing those minarets or whareva rising up from the landscape, unfortunately they are symbols of something associated with evil and make me nervous!

JeSoul:

Personally I don't want to be driving around seeing those minarets or whareva rising up from the landscape, unfortunately they are symbols of something associated with evil and make me nervous!

Says who?

Says I, and a few million other Swiss citizens.

Political correctness cannot correct that unfortunate truth which is that any icon or symbol of middle eastern/islam origins will invoke equations to terrorists/terrorism. Me I don't want any mosques in my neighborhood - whether or not that makes me intolerant I could care less, na them sabi.

JeSoul:

Says I, and a few million other Swiss citizens.

Political correctness cannot correct that unfortunate truth which is that any icon or symbol of middle eastern/islam origins will invoke equations to terrorists/terrorism. Me I don't want any mosques in my neighborhood - whether or not that makes me intolerant I could care less, na them sabi.

Stop speaking in hyperbole. That they are "associated with evil" is a subjective view.

A subjective view that happens to be held by a vast majority of people all across the west. This is not a coincidence Ibime. Mosques make people uncomfortable in this era of terrorism, its unfortunate but true.

JeSoul:

Says I, and a few million other Swiss citizens.

Political correctness cannot correct that unfortunate truth which is that any icon or symbol of middle eastern/islam origins will invoke equations to terrorists/terrorism. Me I don't want any mosques in my neighborhood - whether or not that makes me intolerant I could care less, na them sabi.

U are wicked.

SeanT21:

U are wicked.

Wicked and proud of it 

JeSoul:

Even if they want to ban mosques or churches for that matter - that is their business.

As long as the process was democratic and the[b] citizens[/b] of the country voted, then no biggie. Personally I don't want to be driving around seeing those minarets or whareva rising up from the landscape, unfortunately they are symbols of something associated with evil and make me nervous!

what if the people of Switzerland voted to segregate muslims and christmas in a democratic vote, would that be right?
this is a slippery slope o. i'm personally not bothered by the minarets as long as the mosques keep their noise down.

Though Islam harbors hordes of zombified lunatics, the rights of the sane Muslims must be defended!

The minaret is part of Islamic architecture and has some significance in Mosque design. It is not used for any form of evil as far as I know.

It is unfortunate that it has come to this.

RichyBlacK:

Though Islam harbors hordes of zombified lunatics, the rights of the sane Muslims must be defended!

The minaret is part of Islamic architecture and has some significance in Mosque design. It is not used for any form of evil as far as I know.

It is unfortunate that it has come to this.

Come to what? What rights should be defended? Right to build minarets? Can we stop turning this into what it doesn't have to be please, it is getting old; Europe and its constant need to be politically correct. When you think of Switzerland you think a lot of things but you do not think minarets. It is not part of their mordern culture and they have chosen not to change that anytime soon. It is like going to saudi arabia and expecting to marvel at victorian architecture. It is Switzerland and they have a culture and identity they want to preserve; they do not see minarets in their skyline, so be it (it is afterall their country).

Sky Blue:

Come to what? What rights should be defended? Right to build minarets? Can we stop turning this into what it doesn't have to be please, it is getting old; Europe and its constant need to be politically correct. When you think of Switzerland you think a lot of things but you do not think minarets. It is not part of their mordern culture and they have chosen not to change that anytime soon. It is like going to saudi arabia and expecting to marvel at victorian architecture. It is Switzerland and they have a culture and identity they want to preserve; they do not see minarets in their skyline, so be it (it is afterall their country).

Just because Saudi-Arabia remains the center of barbarism does not mean Europe and the rest of the sane world should use it as a yardstick for anything meaningful!

RichyBlacK:

Just because Saudi-Arabia remains the center of barbarism does not mean Europe and the rest of the sane world should use it as a yardstick for anything meaningful!

What exactly have you said and what has it got to do with the points I raised?? Nevermind

I wonder why Swiss people passed a referendum to banned Masjid's minarets? I thought Switzerland is one of the most educated and secular country so never thought they will resort to stone age and barbaric acts like this.

A friend of mine who lives in a Muslim country wrote to me concerning this, and I quote: In my country, a predominantly Islamic country, we have more churches and temples if compared to Masjids. See how much freedom given by my Islamic govt. In area I stay alone, 95% of the population are Muslims, yet temples and churches outnumbered our Masjids.

Why "persecute" the Muslims minority?

Sky Blue:

What exactly have you said and what has it got to do with the points I raised?? Nevermind

The response actually gets lots to do with your points. Re-follow your posts.

muhsin:

The response actually gets lots to do with your points. Re-follow your posts.

Since you seem to see the connection, why not point it out? I keep asking how this is "babaric" or "stone age", such postulations are quite laughable. Read the article again, mosques were not banned, muslims were not banned from worshipping, minarets were banned. MINARETS. The Swiss do not want Minarets in their sky line and do not see it as part of their culture, just like most western cities in the world won't allow you to build whatever you like in their cities, the Swiss have decided to keep their skylines Minaret free. Wouldn't forcing them to adopt an architectural style they find foreign and not paticularly likeable be undemocratic and "barbaric"? Minarets is not part of Swiss architecture, it is not the style and they want to maintain a particular look in their cities, so what are you talking about?

Ikomi:

She never said mosques. 

Anyway thats old news.

Sky Blue:

It is old news. Didn't say she claimed mosques were banned. Was just pointing out that mosques weren't banned so it is not necessarily the kind of discrimination a lot of major media outlets have been alluding to. Was simply commenting on the article she posted.

Do you now see why I quickly explained and emphasised that Minarets were all that was banned? LOL. That's how predictable I knew the responses would be.

bawomolo:

what if the people of Switzerland voted to segregate muslims and christmas in a democratic vote, would that be right?
this is a slippery slope o. i'm personally not bothered by the minarets as long as the mosques keep their noise down.

It is a slippery slope. But the Swiss are by and large a moral people - along with the rest of the European and American world. They will not go down that road.

When in Nairaland do as the Nairalanders do. You cannot go to a foreign country and demand they bend to your traditions. The Swiss have spoken, the muslims must accpet. For crying out loud they make up less than 5% of the entire population!

There is plenty of land, brick, mortar and space in Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran etc . . . let them go and build there in peace. I guarantee 100% no one will object.

RichyBlacK:

Though Islam harbors hordes of zombified lunatics, the rights of the sane Muslims must be defended!

The minaret is part of Islamic architecture and has some significance in Mosque design. It is not used for any form of evil as far as I know.

It is unfortunate that it has come to this.

What you should ask yourself is How many churches worship freely in iran, saudi, etc not to talk of building cathedrals. The western world should stop tolerating the intolerant. This desert dwelling reprobates would only use their democracy against them.

Akanniade:

What you should ask yourself is How many churches worship freely in iran, saudi, etc not to talk of building cathedrals. The western world should stop tolerating the intolerant. This desert dwelling reprobates would only use their democracy against them.

This is a wrong comparism; Churches are allowed in Iran. . .go ask. Iran as an Islamic country.

Switzerland is a SECULAR country. . .go ask if you don't know.

And, Saudi is a sacred city for Muslims. What you here have to ask is: are mosques allowed in Vertican?

How many questions? 3. Only.

Sky Blue:

Since you seem to see the connection, why not point it out? I keep asking how this is "babaric" or "stone age", such postulations are quite laughable. Read the article again, mosques were not banned, muslims were not banned from worshipping, minarets were banned. MINARETS. The Swiss do not want Minarets in their sky line and do not see it as part of their culture, just like most western cities in the world won't allow you to build whatever you like in their cities, the Swiss have decided to keep their skylines Minaret free. Wouldn't forcing them to adopt an architectural style they find foreign and not paticularly likeable be undemocratic and "barbaric"? Minarets is not part of Swiss architecture, it is not the style and they want to maintain a particular look in their cities, so what are you talking about?

Let me do it here briefly:

The word “secular” encompasses huge meaning, really, politically and democratically. And that meaning comprises total negation to putting "embargo" on any particular religion as there is freedom to profess and practice any of the religion on the earth. Putting that fact in mind, doesn't this action resemble barbarism . . . where certain rule is stated but a different thing is practiced? Hope you get my point.

More-over, why even Islamic countries don’t ban spires? Is it because they don’t value architectural stuff or what? This is ridiculous. . . They are just trying to ban anything Islamic that’s why they started with smaller, smaller things like minarets.

muhsin:

This is a wrong comparism; Churches are allowed in Iran. . .go ask. Iran as an Islamic country.

Switzerland is a SECULAR country. . .go ask if you don't know.

A[b]nd, Saudi is a sacred city for Muslims. What you here have to ask is: are mosques allowed in Vertican?[/b]

How many questions? 3. Only.

This is getting a tad irritating. Switzerland has not banned the building of mosques for crying out loud, so why the reference to Iran.

Then to look at your second excuse for an argument. How big is the vatican? Please do tell. Are muslims banned from going to the vatican? How big is the vatican and how big is Saudi Arabia? What is the population of the Vatican and what is the population of Saudi Arabia? The Vatican is actually in Italy, to be more precise Rome. Are mosques banned in Italy or Rome? Please at least do some basic research before trying to put up such weak arguments.

muhsin:


Let me do it here briefly:

The word “secular” encompasses huge meaning, really, politically and democratically. And that meaning comprises total negation to putting "embargo" on any particular religion as there is freedom to profess and practice any of the religion on the earth. Putting that fact in mind, doesn't this action resemble barbarism . . . where certain rule is stated but a different thing is practiced? Hope you get my point.

More-over, why even Islamic countries don’t ban spires? Is it because they don’t value architectural stuff or what? This is ridiculous. . . They are just trying to ban anything Islamic that’s why they started with smaller, smaller things like minarets.

Putting in mind what fact? "Building embargo on any religion"? Apologies, but my patience seems to be running out, so I would have to ask again, what are you talking about? In most western countries people are hardly just allowed to build anything they want, a permit is required. Such a prerequisite for building, is useful in controlling what such cities or towns or nations want their image to be. The Swiss have not banned mosques, they have banned Minarets. So is Minarets Islam? They have decided they do not want Minarets in their country, it seems they have decided it is alien to them, it is not part of their culture or traditional architecture. I guess it is "barbaric" because they want to keep some of their traditions? It is barbaric because they have refused to be arm twisted into accepting what they don't want? Have they stopped Muslims from practising?

Spires are a recluse of 'church architecture'? What on earth are you talking about? Please I urge you, do some research.

Sky Blue:

This is getting a tad irritating. Switzerland has not banned the building of mosques for crying out loud, so why the reference to Iran.

Then to look at your second excuse for an argument. How big is the vatican? Please do tell. Are muslims banned from going to the vatican? How big is the vatican and how big is Saudi Arabia? What is the population of the Vatican and what is the population of Saudi Arabia? The Vatican is actually in Italy, to be more precise Rome. Are mosques banned in Italy or Rome? Please at least do some basic research before trying to put up such weak arguments.

In a much hurry, I was replying to this:

Akanniade:

What you should ask yourself is How many churches worship freely in iran, saudi, etc not to talk of building cathedrals. The western world should stop tolerating the intolerant. This desert dwelling reprobates would only use their democracy against them.

Then I wonder why did you think I am wrong?