Geneva, November 29: Swiss voters are deciding in a referendum today whether to accept a ban on the construction of minarets, which right-wing parties regard as symbols of militant Islam.
The move led by the Swiss People’s Party, which has campaigned in previous years against immigrants has stirred fears of boycotts and violent reactions from Muslim countries.
Polls indicate growing support for the proposal, but doubt remains about whether it will pass. The seven-member Cabinet that heads the Swiss government has spoken out strongly against the initiative.
Muslims have been keeping a low profile so far. Still, the Geneva Mosque was vandalised Thursday when someone threw a pot of pink paint at the entrance.
Earlier this month, a vehicle with a loudspeaker drove through the area imitating a muezzin’s call to prayer, and vandals damaged a mosaic when they threw cobble stones at the building.
–Agencies