Zurich Allows Anti-Minaret Poster

Earlier today I had posted an article that stated, that Switzerland had banned these anti-minarets posters. Thankfully Zurich has remembered a little something called free speech, and has decided to allow the posters. Maybe there is still some hope for Europe.

Hat tip to the Wrath.

Zurich allows anti-minaret poster

Switzerland's biggest city, Zurich, has allowed the use of a controversial poster which urges a ban on the building of minarets in the country.

The poster shows a woman dressed in a burka in front of black minarets standing on a Swiss flag.

But Zurich city council said campaign posters were protected by free speech.

The advert is being used by the far-right Swiss People's Party (SVP) ahead of next month's referendum on whether to ban the building of new minarets.

The Swiss Federal Commission Against Racism said earlier this week that the poster was "tantamount to the denigration and defamation of the peaceful Swiss Muslim population".

Some media reports have said the minarets resemble missiles.

New opinion poll

Zurich city council said on Thursday that although it disapproved of the "negative and dangerous" poster, it had to be accepted as part of political free speech ahead of the 29 November national referendum.

The city followed the examples of Geneva, Lucerne and Winterthur, who earlier also gave the green light to the use of the SVP's advert.

But a number of Swiss cities - including Basel, Lausanne and Fribourg - have banned the advert in public spaces.

Meanwhile, an opinion poll on Thursday showed that 51% of those questioned would reject the proposed ban.

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Switzerland Bans Anti-minaret Posters

Just like in the Netherlands, and the UK, non-Muslims just cannot stop themselves from helping to advance Islam within their countries. Will Muslims be so kind when they finally takeover? Of course not.

Switzerland Bans Anti-minaret Posters

GENEVA -- Switzerland's Federal Commission against Racism banned on Wednesday, October 7, a racially prejudiced poster, part of a campaign by a far-right party against the building of minarets in the central European country.

"The commission believes that this could threaten social cohesion and public peace," it said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The Swiss People's Party (SVP) has unveiled a campaign poster depicting a woman wearing a burka against a background of a Swiss flag upon which several minarets resembling missiles were erected.


"Stop! Yes for the ban on minarets," read the French and German posters, referring to a referendum on minarets construction in November.

The government commission asserted that the posters "feed prejudices, are over-simplistic and presents Islam overall in an unfavorable manner."

The cities of Basel and Lausanne earlier described the poster as racist and banned it in publicly-owned spaces.

One of Switzerland's major media groups, Ringier, has said it will not publish the poster.

The Tages-Anzeiger and the free 20 Minuten dailies will also not carry it.

The SVP has collected more than 100,000 signatures to force a referendum on the issue of minaret after the Senate overwhelmingly rejected a ban proposal.

Its anti-minaret campaign has caused an outcry, with the government denouncing it as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

The centre-right Free Democratic Party (FDP) has also attacked the idea, saying it would only compound "unfounded" fears against the country's Muslims.

Switzerland’s Roman Catholic bishops have urged voters to reject the proposed ban on minaret construction.

Amnesty International has blasted the proposed ban, warning the drive aims to exploit fears of Muslims and encourage xenophobia for political gains.

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Swiss Bishops Reject Minaret Ban

Recently in America we have seen some Churches step up and speak out against Islam. In Europe though, we are seeing the opposite. Major Church leaders in the UK actually supported the opening of the Sharia Courts there. This time Swiss Bishops are taking a stand for Islamic minarets. Which if built will be a sign of Islamic dominance. Apparently they are ready to bow down to Islam.

Swiss Bishops Reject Minaret Ban

GENEVA – Joining the chorus of voices opposing a minaret ban, Switzerland’s Roman Catholic bishops have urged voters to reject a far-right campaign to ban minaret construction in the country.

"A general ban on minaret construction would hurt needed efforts to create a two-way welcoming attitude of dialogue and respect," the Swiss Bishops’ Conference said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse on Thursday, September 10.

"Fear serves as a poor counsellor in this matter."

Swiss voters will vote next month in a referendum championed by the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to ban the building of minarets in Switzerland.

The far-right party has pushed for the poll, collecting more than the 100,000 signatures needed under the constitution to hold a referendum.

The SVP claims that a minaret is not necessary for worship but is rather a symbol of Islamic law which is incompatible with Switzerland's legal system.

The SVP campaign has caused an outcry in the Swiss political world, with the government denouncing it as unconstitutional and discriminatory.

The centre-right Free Democratic Party (FDP) has also attacked the idea, saying it would only compound "unfounded" fears against the country's Muslims.

Amnesty International has further blasted the proposed minaret ban, warning the drive aims to exploit fears of Muslims and encourage xenophobia for political gains.

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