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| Leaders condemn Swiss minaret ban | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Religious leaders across the world have criticised Switzerland's referendum vote to ban the building of minarets. | |
| 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. | |
| More than 57.5% of voters and 22 out of 26 cantons - or provinces - voted in favour of the ban on Sunday. | More than 57.5% of voters and 22 out of 26 cantons - or provinces - voted in favour of the ban on Sunday. |
| The proposal had been put forward by the Swiss People's Party, (SVP), the largest party in parliament, which said minarets were a sign of Islamisation. | |
| 'Expression of intolerance' | |
| The Vatican on Monday endorsed a statement by the conference of Swiss Bishops criticising the vote for heightening "the problems of cohabitation between religions and cultures". | |
| Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa described the ban as an insult to the feelings of the Muslim community in Switzerland and elsewhere. | |
| Much of the concern is based on fear... There are only four minarets in Switzerland but there are widely-held concerns of society dividing into 'parallel communities'. Gavin Hewitt Gavin Hewitt's blog on Europe Minaret vote: Your views Result "reflects unease with Islam" | |
| Sunday's surprise result also prompted dismay from secular leaders in Europe. | |
| "I am a bit shocked by this decision," Mr Kouchner told France's RTL radio on Monday. "It is an expression of intolerance and I detest intolerance. | "I am a bit shocked by this decision," Mr Kouchner told France's RTL radio on Monday. "It is an expression of intolerance and I detest intolerance. |
| "I hope the Swiss will reverse this decision quickly." | |
| The Swiss government had opposed the ban, saying it would harm Switzerland's image, particularly in the Muslim world. | The Swiss government had opposed the ban, saying it would harm Switzerland's image, particularly in the Muslim world. |
| The vote is very bad news for the Swiss government which fears unrest among the Muslim community, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern. | The vote is very bad news for the Swiss government which fears unrest among the Muslim community, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Bern. |
| Voters worried about rising immigration - and with it the rise of Islam - had ignored the government's advice, our correspondent adds. | Voters worried about rising immigration - and with it the rise of Islam - had ignored the government's advice, our correspondent adds. |
| The government said it accepted the decision, and that the construction of new minarets would no longer be permitted. | The government said it accepted the decision, and that the construction of new minarets would no longer be permitted. |
| Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said: "Concerns [about Islamic fundamentalism] have to be taken seriously. | Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said: "Concerns [about Islamic fundamentalism] have to be taken seriously. |
| "However, a ban on the construction of new minarets is not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies." | "However, a ban on the construction of new minarets is not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies." |
| She sought to reassure Swiss Muslims, saying the decision was "not a rejection of the Muslim community, religion or culture". | She sought to reassure Swiss Muslims, saying the decision was "not a rejection of the Muslim community, religion or culture". |
| 'Major problems' | |
| Switzerland is home to some 400,000 Muslims and has just four minarets. | Switzerland is home to some 400,000 Muslims and has just four minarets. |
| After Christianity, Islam is the most widespread religion in Switzerland, but it remains relatively hidden. | After Christianity, Islam is the most widespread religion in Switzerland, but it remains relatively hidden. |
| There are unofficial Muslim prayer rooms, and planning applications for new minarets are almost always refused. | There are unofficial Muslim prayer rooms, and planning applications for new minarets are almost always refused. |
| Supporters of a ban claimed that allowing minarets would represent the growth of an ideology and a legal system - Sharia law - which are incompatible with Swiss democracy. | Supporters of a ban claimed that allowing minarets would represent the growth of an ideology and a legal system - Sharia law - which are incompatible with Swiss democracy. |
| Mr Kouchner said he hoped the Swiss would reverse the decision | |
| But others say the referendum campaign incited hatred. On Thursday the Geneva mosque was vandalised for the third time during the campaign, according to local media. | But others say the referendum campaign incited hatred. On Thursday the Geneva mosque was vandalised for the third time during the campaign, according to local media. |
| Amnesty International said the vote violated freedom of religion and would probably be overturned by the Swiss supreme court or the European Court of Human Rights. | Amnesty International said the vote violated freedom of religion and would probably be overturned by the Swiss supreme court or the European Court of Human Rights. |
| The president of Zurich's Association of Muslim Organisations, Tamir Hadjipolu, told the BBC: "This will cause major problems because during this campaign mosques were attacked, which we never experienced in 40 years in Switzerland. | The president of Zurich's Association of Muslim Organisations, Tamir Hadjipolu, told the BBC: "This will cause major problems because during this campaign mosques were attacked, which we never experienced in 40 years in Switzerland. |
| "Islamaphobia has increased intensively." | "Islamaphobia has increased intensively." |
| Sunday's referendum was held after the SVP collected 100,000 signatures from voters within 18 months calling for a vote. | Sunday's referendum was held after the SVP collected 100,000 signatures from voters within 18 months calling for a vote. |
| In recent years, countries across Europe have been debating how best to integrate Muslim populations. | |
| France focused on the headscarf, while in Germany there was controversy over plans to build one of Europe's largest mosques. |