Swiss voters approve ban on minarets in referendum
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Switzerland voted to ban the construction of new minarets on Sunday, a surprise result certain to embarrass the neutral government and which the justice minister said could affect Swiss exports and tourism.
The Swiss news agency ATS and other media said about 57.5 percent of voters and all but four of the 26 cantons approved the proposal in the nationwide referendum, which was backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
The government and parliament had rejected the initiative as violating the Swiss constitution, freedom of religion and the country’s cherished tradition of tolerance.
The government said it would respect the people’s decision and construction of new minarets would no longer be permitted.
The Alpine country of nearly 7 million is home to more than 300,000 Muslims, mainly from Bosnia, Kosovo and Turkey.
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