Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – “A ban on the construction of new minarets is not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies,” said Swiss Federal Councilor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, speaking for the cabinet after the 29 November popular vote in favour of a ban. The Federal Council issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying that “the outcome of the vote reflects fears among the population of Islamic fundamentalist tendencies, which reject our national traditions and which could disregard our legal order,” with Widmer-Schlumpf, who is the minister for Justice and Police, adding that “These concerns have to be taken seriously.” Nevertheless, the ban will not counter terrorism fears, she noted.
Both the government and a strong majority of parliament came out against the ban before the vote.
The government insists that the ban is limited to new minarets: the four existing ones are not affected and building permits will continue to be issued for mosques, of which there are 150 in Switzerland.
The government statement was firm in tone: “Today’s popular decision is only directed against the construction of new minarets. It is not a rejection of the Muslim community, religion or culture. Of that the Federal Council gives its assurance.”
The government had earlier expressed its opinion that a ban might be at odds with its agreements with the European Union. Sunday the president of the Swiss Federal Commission Against Racism, George Kreis, said that “the rights and liberties guaranteed by the federal constitution remain the basis for the peaceful and respectful cohabitation of people of different religions and cultures who live in Switzerland.” He noted that in the weeks leading up to the vote discussions had been lively and open, and that what was learned from that dialogue can serve as a basis for a way forward.
Switzerland traditionally prides itself on its history as a country with four languages and different religious traditions, whose institutions and decentralized system have been developed with the goal of ensuring diverse groups can work and live together. At the same time, the tradition is essentially Christian and the minaret ban appears to point to unease to extending this openness to groups who are not part of the original settlers.
Vote results, 29 November 2009, GenevaLunch
Links to other sites: ch.ch, Federal Commission Against Racism
News story, GenevaLunch, 29 November 2009.
Filed under: Politics
Tags: Politics, Switzerland
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5 Responses to “Swiss gov’t says minaret ban won’t counter terrorism”
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November 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Well, since Europe has tried placating, coddling, and ignoring the Muslim threat for the past forty years it would be interesting to know just how Councilor Widmer-Schlumpf is so certain that this positive action “will have no effect.” Europeans governments have stood silent as their native peoples have been attcked, beaten, raped, gang raped, murdered, and even blown apart. Perhaps the fears of this ineffectual Councilor are more representative of her cognizance that the people of Europe will not much longer permit supposedly “representative” Goverments to dither while native citizens die. This is the first step on the long road to reclaiming our birthrights as Europeans, as Human Beings, and as the forces of Culture on a continent seemingly intent on embracing Anti-Culture as its future.
November 29th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
After flying under the radar for decades, the Swiss have proven that they can act as frightened and stupid as the rest of the world.
I expect future laws will declare that all future construction be half-timbered, all clothing lederhosen, and baby boys and girls must be named Heidi.
You guys suck.
Signed,
An American who doesn’t like when other countries are more xenophobic than the U.S.A.
November 29th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
HonestMan,
Majority of Swiss Muslims are European in origin. They come from Bosnia which saw a genocide only 15 years ago. So Europe still does genocides against its minorities. It still restricts freedom of religion to its minorities.
Switzerland is officially not a democracy anymore. What is next? Are they going to ban construction of synagogues next? Are they ever going to return the stolen money and goods confiscated from Jews during the WWII?
November 29th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Edward,
You clearly have no idea of what a Democracy consists. Technically and in the most basic sense, it is rule by the people. This is what happened today in Switzerland. By changing the word “Democracy” you hope to corrupt it, but unfortunately you have met an opponent who will not allow you to do so. As for “genocide” in Europe, clearly you are a devotee of the BBC or some similar propaganda organization. There is at best contradictory evidence and outright lying that accomanied the war in former Yugoslavia. (i.e., taking photographs from INSIDE fences toward the outside to make it appear that people were in pens, paying top money for “genocide” stories with the most gruesome story receiving the highest payout, and other despicable tricks which debased the entire reportage of the conflict). Finally, as for events of finance connected with World War II, it is another subject mired in contradiction and misinformation. Abuses occurred…one both sides. Moreover, it is not an applicable correlary to preserving Swiss Culture. No one has forbidden worship, only intimidation by proxy. Just as the French ban the burqa and the Americans screen turbans at airports. If Muslims feel the need to adhere to every aspect of their religion to the exclusion of secular societies and insist on infringing the rights of Civilized People, then they should return to any of a number of Middle Eastern nations that openly degrade women, stone homosexuals, rape children, and punish dissent or even disagreement by death. As for Switzerland, we will be just fine without them, thank you.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Edward, why would you ask if they were going to ban synagogues? They haven’t banned building mosques…. Do you even know what a minaret is?