Swiss Muslims ask fellow citizens to stop minaret ban

Muslims have invited the public into mosques amid an initiative to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland.

The open day was held on Saturday in 12 cantons, including Geneva, Vaud and Freiburg. "We hope these meetings will build a dialogue and better understanding," said Hisham Maizar, a senior Muslim representative in Switzerland.

An emotional debate over the role of Islam in Switzerland is heating up as the Swiss will cast their votes on November 29 over a referendum that would ban the construction of minarets on mosques. The initiative was promoted by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, who argue that a minaret is a symbol of Muslim political power. Opinion polls suggest the proposed ban will be rejected by voters.

The debate comes in a country that has prided itself on integrating its large immigrant population and has largely avoided the clashes over the rights of Muslim minorities seen elsewhere in Europe. Swiss business and political interests are especially worried about a possible backlash from the Muslim world.

At a joint media conference on Thursday, representatives of national Muslim umbrella organizations 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 Organizations of Switzerland.

Afshar accused the initiators of the anti-minaret campaign of attacking Islam and the freedom of religious practice under the cover of attacking minarets.

He pointed out that all religious buildings have their own specific characteristics which are part of the identity of the religion involved. It is up to members of whichever religion to decide what they want to build, within the general framework of the law.

Afshar warned that both Switzerland's excellent image in the Muslim world and the hopes that many Muslims placed in the country could be damaged by the 'senseless' campaign.

Switzerland is home to 400,000 Muslims, who have about 200 places of worship. Only four have a minaret.