Swiss reject headscarf ban for schools

Too bad. They were doing so well in setting the parameters for Muslim assimilation in Switzerland.

From RNW:

The cantonal parliament of Zurich rejected on Monday a proposal by the far right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) – Switzerland’s largest party - to ban headscarves for female Muslim students in Swiss schools. The proposal was aimed at “instilling respect of Swiss values in schools”, the party’s leadership says, and that people who settled in Switzerland needed to realise “they could not turn up to work in a headscarf”.

Adrian Amstutz, parliamentarian and senior member of the SVP is one of the strongest supporters of those bans: “Muslims must be spurred to integrate into society”, he said to Swiss News Worldwide. The more moderate, centre right Christian Democratic Party, has been advocating the ban on burqas, a body covering including a face veil, in a bid to defend women’s rights.

Interestingly enough, Egypt recently banned the niqab during university examinations. You can guess why...

The government said it brought in the ban in part because students, male and female, were sitting exams disguised as other candidates by wearing a face veil.

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Iran threatens Switzerland with "unspecified consequences"...

... if minaret ban enforced.

OMG, hearing the Iranians wax eloquent about human rights is a joke, isn't it?

From the LA Times:

An East-West clash over a Swiss referendum last week banning the construction of mosque minarets heated up today as Iran's foreign minister warned of unspecified "consequences" if the ban were enforced.

Manouchehr Mottaki spoke on the phone with his Swiss counterpart Micheline Calmy-Rey. Switzerland and Iran generally have good relations. The Swiss serve as Washington's representative in the Iranian capital in the absence of formal relations between America and the Islamic Republic, giving them exalted status in Tehran's diplomatic circles.

But Mottaki had harsh words for Switzerland, saying enforcement of the ban on new minarets was “against the prestige of a country which claims to be an advocate of democracy and human rights" and would "damage Switzerland’s image as a pioneer of respecting human rights among Muslims' public opinion," according to a report by the official Islamic Republic News Agency, or IRNA.

[...]

“Values such as tolerance, dialogue and respecting others' religions(Ed. Note: Don't make me laugh - you mean like Iran respects and tolerates religions other than Islam?) should never be put to referendum,” Mottaki told his Swiss counterpart. He expressed hope that Bern would soon “take necessary steps and find a constitutional way to prevent imposition of the ban.”

An Iranian cleric today also condemned the minaret ban. Ayatollah Hossein Nouri-Hamadani, said the move was "at odds with the protection of Muslim citizens' civil rights and will hurt the feelings of Muslims across the world," according to Iran's state television. (Ed. note: Oh noes! Muslims itty bitty feelings are hurt!)

Calmy-Rey told Mottaki her government would "use all its means to support Muslims rights," according to IRNA.

Calmy-Rey = Another Dhimmi politician...

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Turkish Minister urges muslims to take money out of Swiss bank accounts

A Turkish minister is urging muslims to take out money out of Swiss bank accounts after the Swiss voted to ban minarets.

From AKI

Ankara, 2 Dec. (AKI) - Muslims should consider withdrawing their money from Swiss bank accounts in response to the country's ban on construction of minarets, a Turkish minister said. "I am certain this (vote) will prompt our brothers from Muslim countries who keep their money and investments in Swiss banks to review their decision," said Egemen Bagis, cited by Turkish daily Zaman.[...]

Turkish president Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that Switzerland's vote was contrary to fundamental rights and freedoms.

Perhaps Turkey should look first to their own backyard where Christians, Jews, Hindus and just about any religious group other than islam can't build a place of worship. Countries like Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are prime examples.

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UN slams 'discriminatory' Swiss minaret ban.

57 percent of the people voted to ban Minarets ,That sounds like a majority !
Yet the Swiss Government has its panties in a bunch , along with some "Muslim Countries ", and now the U.N. is piping up .
Don't go voting against anything Islamic ... Or else !

....AP
GENEVA — The United Nations called Switzerland's ban on new minarets "clearly discriminatory" and deeply divisive, and the Swiss foreign minister acknowledged Tuesday the government was very concerned about how the vote would affect the country's image.

U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay said Sunday's referendum to outlaw the construction of minarets in Switzerland was the product of "anti-foreigner scare-mongering."

The criticism from Pillay, whose office is based in the Swiss city of Geneva, comes after an outcry from Muslim countries, Switzerland's European neighbors and human rights watchdogs since 57.5 percent of the Swiss population ratified the ban.

The Swiss government opposed the initiative but has sought to defend it as an action not against Islam or Muslims, but one aimed at improving integration and fighting extremism.

"These are extraordinary claims when the symbol of one religion is targeted," Pillay said in a statement. She said she was saddened to see xenophobic arguments gain such traction with Swiss voters despite their "long-standing support of fundamental human rights."


"long-standing support of fundamental human rights."

WTF? are we talking about Islam Or what ?
This is why the U.N. needs to go , How can an organization fight for human rights And try to stand in the way of oppression , Stick up for anything Islamic ?
Sorry to say , but if Muslims are givin their way all the time in Switzerland , they better prepare to rename it ! Switzerlandistan ?

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Muslims say Swiss minaret ban discriminates against them

Muslim groups in Switzerland are furious over a call to ban minarets. The groups claim that the ban would discriminate against muslims and islam.

Minarets aren't essential for muslims to pray in a mosque. But these muslim groups are real hypocrites. When they perceive a slight against them, they automatically complain of discrimination. However, they remain silent of the real discrimination occurring in muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia where it is to own a bible let alone build a church.

If they are really disturbed about discrimination against minorities, speak out against that.

From Swiss Info

The initiative to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland discriminates against Muslims as a religious minority, Swiss Muslims believe.

At a joint media conference on Thursday, representatives of national Muslim umbrella organisations explained the position of their communities towards the anti-minaret initiative which comes to a popular vote on November 29.

"Muslims in Switzerland identify with Switzerland as their home, whose constitution and laws guarantee them protection, freedom and security," said Farhad Afshar on behalf of the Coordination of Islamic Organisations of Switzerland.

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Iraqi shoe thrower gets hero welcome in...Switzerland

The Iraqi shoe thrower received a hero's welcome in Geneva Switzerland. Currently he is trying to raise awareness of his foundation which he set up to help suffering Iraqis.

From Breitbart

GENEVA (AP) - The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at President George W. Bush leaned back in his chair and soaked in the round of applause.

This was not Baghdad or Damascus or Beirut. This was Geneva, where Muntadhar al-Zeidi was given a hero's welcome Monday far warmer than the subdued reception in his own homeland.

"I am one of the victims of the occupation," al-Zeidi said at a press conference alongside two local politicians, repeating his allegations that he was severely tortured, including with electric shocks, during his nine months of Iraqi detention.

His claims were often inexact

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Anti-minaret coalition is raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist

Anyone who opposes the liberal multicultural utopia is a raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacist. Never mind that islam is not a race, but the poster itself isn't very offensive unless you're a liberal. Straight Times

GENEVA - SWITZERLAND'S Commission Against Racism said Wednesday that an anti-minaret poster campaign by a far-right party defamed the country's Muslim minority and could threaten public peace.

'The commission believes that this could threaten social cohesion and public peace,' the government commission said in a statement.

The Swiss People's Party has unveiled a campaign poster depicting a woman wearing a burka against a background of a Swiss flag upon which several minarets ressembling missiles were erected. It is aimed at getting the population to vote for a ban on minarets in Switzerland in a referendum on the issue in November.

The commission said it found that the posters 'feed prejudices, are over-simplistic and presents Islam overall in an unfavourable manner.' They 'suggest that the Muslim minority living in Switzerland represents a danger' and send the message that the Muslim population is seeking to dominate the Swiss people, oppress women and disregard fundamental rights, it noted.

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