The Swiss vote to ban minarets reflects the fears of many Europeans but has tarnished the country’s reputation, many international commentators believe.

“The irrational fear of Islam has struck once again in Europe,” said the French Libération newspaper in an editorial headed “Absurd”.

“The ban on minarets has cast a sudden pall on the image of a country which is used to the peaceful coexistence of religions,” it commented.

Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung says the Swiss People’s Party – which backed the ban – managed to make a mountain out of a molehill. The paper points out that less than five per cent of the Swiss population are Muslim, and they are mostly well integrated. “Where difficulties with Muslims do exist, they can’t be solved by banning minarets.”

The Times newspaper of London deplores the vote and sees it as a blow against the principles on which European societies are built.

“In the name of defending the principles of a constitutional society against religious intolerance, Swiss voters have adopted intolerance. That is more than a paradox: it is a calumny,” it says.   »»» swissinfo.ch

Go to article…