|
Swiss minaret ban violates Muslim rights: Arabs
[Al Arabiya Latest] Arab League chief Amr Moussa on Tuesday denounced a vote in Switzerland that banned the construction of any further minarets as the top United Nations rights official said the ban was linked to a growing wave of "anti-foreigner scaremongering."Moussa, who heads the 22-member organization, told reporters that the ban, approved by almost 58 percent of Swiss voters on Sunday, was a "violation of the rights of Muslims living in Switzerland." He added that he hoped "the issue will be treated by resorting to the authorities and human rights courts." Muslim leaders and rights groups have condemned the ban, which will be included in Switzerland's constitution. The alpine country's four existing minarets will not be affected. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said on Tuesday the ban endangered security. "The reality of our societies, in Europe and in the world (is that) every blow to the co-existence of different cultures and religions also endangers our security," she said, according to a written transcript of her speech in Greece which was released by the ministry. Posted by: Fred 2009-12-02 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=284643 |