Swiss May Vote on Minaret Ban

June 19, 2008

Author: Staff Reporter

Source: The Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-religbriefs131jun13,0,4748.story

Swiss nationalists say they have enough signatures to force a referendum on whether to ban the construction of Muslim call-to-prayer towers next to mosques.

Ulrich Schlueer, co-president of the Initiative Committee, said that 103,000 signatures have been verified, exceeding the required minimum of 100,000.

If approved, the referendum proposal would enshrine in the Swiss constitution a ban on the minarets. The organizers say they are acting against the political spread of Islam. Opponents say a ban would violate religious freedom.