A minaret is a spire that towers above many Muslim mosques, typically broadcasting the morning Call to Prayer. In a move that garnered criticism around the world, Swiss voters yesterday elected to ban them, citing fears of a growing influence of Islam in society and government.
The Vatican joined Muslim figureheads from Indonesia and Egypt, as well as Switzerland, in denouncing the vote as a blow to religious freedom.
France's FM Bernard Kouchner expressed shock at the ban which, he said, showed "intolerance" and should be reversed.
Huh? Even Muslim headscarf-banning France is appalled? Clearly Switzerland is not alone among European nations over-reaching in reaction to the growth of Islam.But this vote, which may still be overturned by Swiss courts as unconstitutional, seems to mark a new level of politically driven religious restriction.
