Swiss vote to ban minarets in referendum

[mateykatie]

Switzerland has voted to ban the construction of mosque minarets in a national referendum. 57% supported the ban.

Here is the BBC story.

Women voted for the ban more than men according to the Times.

This seems pretty horrible to me. I always thought the Swiss were tolerant but obviously not.

f* they really do live in a different world, dont they

Point taken re the relevance of the national referenda. But it was never about the buildings per se - the SVP were campaigning re the over-Islamisation from the start.

Just because 57% of people vote for something, it doesn't make that something right.

"When the vote is swayed by lies, it loses credibility". I'm really glad all the political parties in the UK are so downright honest!

Pity the Swiss aren't in the EU. They could just have another referendum until they get the "right" result.

you know - I think Daftpunk is a loon with her views, but I tolerate her (actually I think I agreed with her over something - probably non-politcal - the other day on a thread) - and she tolerates me - we throw a few slurs at each other and carry on our way

GrumpyYoungFogey I think you're a bloody racist

Absolutely.

Is the SVP some far right party?

Looking at that sheep poster, it would seem so
"Achieve security" - yes, because we are so petrified of all these foreigners
and
"My Home - Our Switzerland"

these sound like BNP type slogans.

scarletlily, do you agree that the muslim poster linked earlier, is not a fair and honest reflection of islam?

British elections have been swayed by lies - thats why democracy is so crap, and why we aren't allowed much of it in the UK. Because under our system, it doesnt matter if one side lies more than the other and gets elected, cos nothing will change anyway, the unelected establishment makes sure of that. Anyway.
It is far easier to sway a single issue referendum with lies than an election, especially one where one side can make a whole load of allegations, that the other side is then put into the position of having to refute.
Most of the voters in teh referendum probably dont even know any muslims.

The SVP are a mainstream conservative party.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_People%27s_Party

they are a far right (a la BNP and beyond) party as well.

Mainstream doesn't mean they are tolerant

Good for them - they had a chance to exercise their democratic right.

< must remember to buy more swiss chocolate, cuckoo clocks.....>

What would constitute a "fair and honest reflection of Islam"?

I don't think the posters were at all pleasant - I'm not sure even the BNP would try to run a campaign like that in the UK. Tbh, I thought it was all very crude and racist and I'm surprised the campaign was successful.

But that's the price you pay for living in a Western democracy. I for one would prefer to live in a democracy, where you don't always get the government or the decisions you want, rather than in an Islamic state like Somalia, for example.

Heeeeeeeere we go.
All the right on Chardonnay swillers getting their knickers in a twist because a Mumsnetter no less!!! dares to cock a snook at the 'Gosh aren't we just so right on and tolerant and open and engaged' brigade.

Sit back and enjoy the fun Daftpunk.

No doubt they are all busy getting out the facepaints and mixing up the non-alcoholic for their next multi-cultural get-together.
(Not.)

I'd like a minaret shaped Toblerone.

Make mine a huge bar!
I'll happily break my no chocolate habit for this one.

you know one poster on this thread (and others having had a nosey at some of their others) is giving me some uncanny memories.

I don't think DP is quite as hard as she comes over on MN - I've seen some photos of last night

I'm more of a Pinot Grigio woman myself .

Moondog - you're confusing righteous indignation with debate. I'm glad there are people with less than right-on views on MN; it would be a very dull place otherwise.

I live in central Switzerland and wasn't surprised in the slightest. IME, the SVP play to the fears of the Swiss nationals, we moved here three years ago and it was at the time of the black sheep posters. Me and dh were when we saw them and even our dd who was six at them time understood what was being implied. Another of the SVP posters showed a lot of brown hands stealing Swiss passports. They are a nasty lot on the whole. Casual racism is a sad fact of life for us. I am very happy that my dd is prepared to challenge this though (not that it affects us personally, just the pervasive ignorance is horrid)

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

what am i doing...?

maybe 4 double vodkas doesn't = totally sober...

always....who has the photos? tell her i am open to blackmail....how much does she want..?

no - actually you're not doing anything daft (hahaha 'scuse the pun) - you just don't look as 'ard as you come across on here

Moondog this is racism, pure and simple. Can you explain why you think that's a celebratory cause?

Many people were concerned that the minaret would affect the skyline.

That's already covered by planning permission laws.

Can you just explain how building minarets leads to Sharia law?