In Switzerland, a referendum deciding whether to allow the construction of minarets in the country

The Swiss started a nationwide referendum, during which citizens must decide – whether to ban the construction of the minarets of the country, ITAR-TASS.

The initiative for such a constitutional limitation made Swiss People’s Party (SNP). Extreme-right party with a majority of the Federal Assembly (Parliament) of Switzerland and part of the coalition of the Federal Council (government), believes that the citizens will say today, a resounding “no” Islamization of the country.

According to the Federal Commission against Racism in Switzerland – an advisory body to the Government, such proposals “hate speech” cause confusion abroad and tarnished the image of the country.

Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz urged citizens to reject the SNP’s initiative and prove that there are the Confederation “strong tradition of religious tolerance. Condemned the imposition of such a question to a referendum and the political left, non-governmental and human rights organizations.

Campaign supporters initiatives spa was rather aggressive. The posters, hung across the country, depicts a woman in a black burqa with a threatening look, and behind it – black minarets, is more reminiscent of military rockets, closing the Swiss flag.

According to the poll conducted before the referendum, 53 percent of Swiss people are not going to make changes to the 72nd article of the constitution concerning the relations between members of different religious communities. 37 percent – favored a ban on the construction of minarets.

In Switzerland, with a population of 7 million people, there are 400 thousand Muslims. The territory of the country are 4 minarets, and another is being built. But, according to Swiss law to protect citizens from noise, or with one of these believers are not called to prayer.