On November 2009, 57,5% of the voters at the conducted referendum in Switzerland voted with a “yes” to the ban of the construction of new minarets in Switzerland. According to the final results of the referendum, only 4 of the 26 cantons opposed this prohibition. In Switzerland with a population of 7.5 million, only 4 mosques with a minaret can be found in the cities, among these Geneva and Zurich. The total number of mosques in the country is 150. In Switzerland, where a total number of 400.00 Muslims live (the majority presented by migrants from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Turkey), the result of the realized referendum has met with response. The result of the referendum is contrary to the constitution and to freedom of belief and worship At the referendum held as a result of initiatives of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and the Federal Democratic Union (EDU), the voter turnout was 54%. In the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland, the rate of people saying “no” to the construction of new minarets was represented by a higher number than the total country rate. In the cantons of Appenzell-Innerrhoden, Schaffhausen and Aargau, 64% of the population voted with a “yes” to the minaret ban. 71,4% in Appenzell-Innerhoden, 40,3 % in Geneva, 51,2 % in Jura, 48,4 % in the city center of Basel, 55,9% in Freiburg, 58,6 % in Graubünden and 63,8% in Uri voted for the ban of the construction of new minarets. Even though the Swiss government and parliament had expressed they rejected the proposed ban on new minarets by close circles to the Swiss People’s Party, saying it was contrary to the constitution and the country’s tradition of tolerance and would violate religious freedom, the referendum was called after campaigners collected the 100.000 signatures required to put the question to a nationwide vote. While the result of the referendum was expected to be a “no” to the ban of the construction of new minarets, the final result was a “yes”. On the other hand, the right parties, which had supported the referendum, announced their satisfaction with the results of the referendum and added that they were against the increasing Islamization of the country. While the result of the referendum is interpreted as a serious reversal against the efforts of integration, it has not become clear yet how to implement the referendum decision. Despite the fact that the Swiss constitution guarantees the freedom of religion and belief, the decision of the referendum is required to be implemented through adding a new provision to the constitution. However, since the referendum decision is contrary to the constitution and to the international treaties guaranteeing the freedom of religion and belief to which Swizerland is a party, it is curious how the decision regarding the minaret ban would be implemented. Habipoğlu: It is unacceptable to hold a referendum on issues related to the freedom of belief and worship With regard to the subject matter, Halit Habipoğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF), stated that “The referendum results in Switzerland present a serious blow to the freedom of belief and worship. It is unacceptable to hold a referendum regarding issues of freedom belief and worship. However, members of the Swiss People's Party and of the Federal Democratic Union managed to collect enough signatures for calling a referendum. Although the referendum decision of “no” has been surprising, it also portrays to which serious dimensions Islamophobia and integration problems have reached in Europe. Within the last month, the central mosque in Geneva was attacked more than once. The calls of prayer were imitated by speakers from a vehicle passing by the mosque, stones were thrown at the mosque and mosaics were destroyed, pink paint was poured at the entrance of the mosque. It is being discussed now how to implement the decision resulting from the referendum. The referendum decision is contrary to the Swiss constitution and to the international treaties guaranteeing the freedom of religion and belief to which Switzerland is a party. We condemn the decision resulting from the referendum and reminding that the referendum decision is contrary to the freedom of belief and worship, call on the Federal Government of Switzerland to play an active role and solve the problem“.
