Monday, November 30, 2009

Swiss Voters Say 'No' to Muslim Minarets

Voters have approved a constitutional ban on construction of new minarets ("spires from which criers traditionally call Muslims to prayer") on mosques in Switzerland whose population is reported to be 44% Catholic and 4% Muslim. Bishops and the Vatican had opposed the ban, as did the nation's government. Those opposed to the ban claim it is a "setback" to religious freedom. Voter turnout was "high" and the measure was approved by about 58% of those voting. A "backlash" is feared by some.

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