The Swiss referendum that prevents the building of minarets strikes me as about the least controversial thing imaginable–especially in the context of an expressly Christian nation worried about the threat of Islamification. True, it is discriminatory (that is the point, after all), but no more so than the Swiss noise regulations that prevent the installation of tannoys at mosques to call the faithful to prayers. What I find amazing is this paragraph from a BBC report on the matter that was written with a straight face:
Muslim leaders across the world, as well as those of other faiths, criticised the minaret ban as a blow to religious freedom.
Not only is it interesting that these "leaders" remain anonymous, but that this criticism is vented about a prohibition on an architectural feature of mosques in Switzerland while Islamic countries practice outright bans not only on the building of churches and synagogues, but the possession of a cross or Bible–or merely being a Jew! When a cathedral is raised in Mecca where Christians can openly worship as Muslims may practice their faith in Rome, then these "leaders" will have cause to criticise.
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