What is Swiss minaret controversy?
As of 2009, there is a [[controversy]] in [[Switzerland]] about the [[construction]] of [[minaret]]s. A minaret is a tower-like structure belonging to a [[mosque]]. Its main use is to call the worshippers to prayer, much like a belltower of a Christian church. On 1st May 2007, the [[Swiss People's Party]] and the [[Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland|Federal Democratic Union]] launched a popular referendum. They want to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland. The Swiss people voted in favor of the issue on November 29, 2009. == Background == There are two disputes that form the basis of the controversy: * Local associations of Muslims wanted to build minarets in different Swiss communes; in some there was opposition to this plan. * There is a broad discussion about whether it should be possible to build minarets, and how building minarets might be bad for the country. == Building minarets == [[File:Winterthur-Minarett Kronaustrasse 6-2009.jpg|thumb|Mosque in Winterthur]] The Swiss Minaret controversy started in the Eastern part of Switerland, in 2005. A [[Turkey|Turkish]] cultural association applied for the permit to build a six metre high tower (a minaret) on the roof of the center where they met. The residents around it did not like the idea. They therefore formed an association to oppose it. The people in this association were [[bias]]ed, they had strong (Christian) religious views. Some of the members of the association were also in the committee that had to assess the building plans. As a matter of course, the plans were rejected. The matter was taken to [[Court of law|Court]], and the Islamic community lost the case. In 2009, the tower was built despite the previous loss.<ref>[http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=cache:-FR6VZ8tLVEJ:www.bger.ch/mediencommunique_d.pdf+bundesgericht+juli+2007+wangen+bei+olten&hl=de&gl=ch ''Media Information of the Federal Supreme Court'']{{Dead link|date=September 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> There are other communes where similar sc