Minarets in the Alps

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/swiss-tensions-rise-over-racist-minaret-poster-1800587.html

Reading this report it seems that Islam is now moving in on the once picturesque country of Switzerland.

Are the Swiss wrong to object to minarets being constructed beside some mosques?

More than 100,000 have signed an anti-minaret petition, which under Swiss law means that the issue must be decided through a national referendum.

Would it be a good idea for Britain to introduce this "100,000 signed petition" = "a national referendum" law also?

[rov1200]

I don't think British poilicians believe in referendums but as we have such a divisive society you would think they should. They came close to engaging with public opinion when they allowed a poll on any subject decided by the public and put on the No. 10 website. When a poll was conducted and received over 2 million votes about reducind the tax on fuel the powers that be ignored it. Some would say we are run by a Nanny dictatorship. What to eat or drink, how to exercise, how to drive, how to exist really. Out top down society has no place in us changing the system.

[hc4361]

There are mosques all over Switzerland,and over 300,000 Muslims are resident in that country. Why do think Switzerland is no longer picturesque?

[Gromit]

Switzerland's population is quite small at 7.5 million compared to ours 60million +.

Referendums are used up to 30 times a year in Switzerland, voting on national, regional and local decisions. This system has been used for the last 150 years. It is undoubtedly more democratic than here, but it tends to slow policy down, and it is rare that the citizens do not rubber stamp the Government's favoured policy.

It would be extremely expensive to try and replicate the system here, and it would take ages to get anything done.

Last time I was in Switzerland, it was still picturesque, and like anywhere else in the world, the population is becoming more diverse because travel is cheap and easy. Elsewhere in the world, I have seen many picturesque mosques. Like churches they tend to be beautiful buildings and I would go out of my way to see a good one. I can highly recommend the Blue mosque in Istambul.

I don't think the state should tell people what they can and can't spend their money on. Whether it is in Europe or in the middle east. If you believe in free speech then you should be allowed to build a church or a mosque.

[Gromit]

Still laughing at... 'Nanny Dictatorship'.

[anotheoldgit]

It's all a matter of the right thing in the right place, would you wish to see a cathedral built next to the pyramids, a mosque next to Anne Hathaway's cottage, or a fish & chip shop in St Mark's square?

[anotheoldgit]

// I can highly recommend the Blue mosque in Istambul. (Istanbul) \\

Exactly it fits in with it's surroundings.

// It would be extremely expensive to try and replicate the system here, and it would take ages to get anything done.\\

So what's new?

[fredpuli47]

Ah, but Switzerland has planning laws, just as we do. They are quite extraordinary people when it comes to spoiilng the views. I recently read a piece in a Swiss local paper where there was such an argument. The local authority had declared some piece of public land a place where people could walk and exercise their dogs. The objection was not to that but to signs being put up on the land to say so .It was being seriously debated whether any sign would spoil the view ! The opponents said there should be no signs at all. That's the Swiss for you ! Can't think that an obtrusive minaret has much chance of being built even without invoking the Swiss enthusiasm for referenda.

[Gromit]

there are already, plenty of mosques in Switzerland

http://a9.idata.over-blog.com/0/43/32/42/al_fateh_mosque.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2829475329_d36e4cb72e.jpg