I am shocked at the vote in Switzerland to ban the construction of minarets. This is a grave restriction on people’s freedom of religious expression. Surely legislation to limit the height of the minarets to conform with aesthetic and relational issues of ‘who has the biggest’ tower could have been readily handled.

Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the result of the referendum reflected fears among the Swiss of Islamic fundamentalist tendencies. ”But the Federal Council [government] takes the view that a ban on the construction of new minarets is not a feasible means of countering extremist tendencies.”

I could not agree more!  This referendum result is very inflammatory. It does not make for peace. Pray for people of peace to bring peace to this situation. Fear is a destructive colleague.

Further comment at http://www.theage.com.au/world/swiss-ban-on-minarets-causes-shockwaves-20091130-k148.html.  

I am pleased to note that the Vatican has condemned the vote.

I have expressed my concern about the curtailment of religious expression in multi-faith settings previously in Burqas and religious freedom.

Also an optimistic view of recent developments on our living together in a world of diverse views at Islam: current trends.

Look out for upcoming ABC Compass program re Multi-faith society: an oxymoron?