The UK's Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board condemns in the strongest terms the Swiss ban on the building of new minarets.
"People who campaigned for the ban were clearly fuelled by their ignorance and hatred of one specific religious group and such an action is undoubtedly racist and Islamophobic", said Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, Chairman of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board.
This is a worrying development as the manipulation of the democratic vote to ban minarets is not only contrary to Switzerland's obligations under international human rights but will also have hugely negative consequences for the citizens of Switzerland who happen to be Muslims.
We urge the Swiss authorities to abide by all its international obligations and to take the necessary measures to fully protect the right to freedom of religion or belief of members of the Muslim community.
We call upon our Government to formally protest to the Swiss Government under their international human rights obligations against this clear discrimination of the Muslim community.
We also call upon our friends from different faiths to show solidarity both here as well as in Europe and play their part in eliminating racism, Islamophobia and attacks against Muslims and help promote social harmony", he said.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) is the representative body of all UK Muslim denominations set up to promote excellence in Mosques and Islamic Institutes.
- Twelve hundred people representing nearly six hundred mosques and Islamic institutes from across the country and from all sections of the Muslim communities, Shi'as as well as Sunnis joined together on Sunday 10th May 2009 in Birmingham to elect the Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board.
- For further information please contact Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, Chair of MINAB's Public Affairs Committee on 07917 052 596 or on (0121) 285 0440.
