Posted on 03/11/2021 6:43:13 PM PST by marshmallow
CNA Staff, Mar 8, 2021 / 06:33 pm MT (CNA).- Swiss voters have narrowly approved a proposal to ban religious facial coverings in public nationwide. Though the move will affect a small minority of Muslim women, commentators voiced concerns about the effect on religious freedom and tolerance for religious minorities.
Over 51% of voters backed the measure in a March 7 vote. The ban on facial coverings in public places does not mention Islam directly but was presented as a burqa ban. It would also affect protesters who wear ski masks and bandanas. The ban exempts venues that are religious institutions, facial coverings used for health reasons and masks used for traditional Carnival celebrations.
Authorities must implement the referendum with legislation within a two-year period.
About 5% of Switzerland’s 8.6 million people are Muslim. Most have ancestral roots in Turkey, Bosnia and Kosovo, BBC News reports. Almost no Muslim women in Switzerland wear a burqa, a full body covering that uses a mesh screen to cover the eyes. Perhaps 30 women in the country wear the niqab, which veils the face but leaves the eyes visible.
Foes of the measure had included major religious groups. The Swiss Council of Religion put out a Jan. 25 statement opposing the measure, with support from the Conference of Swiss Bishops.
“The initiative claims to want to strengthen public safety. However, it is in reality directed against a tiny minority of the population. The initiative does not solve any problem, neither for the women concerned, nor in response to the challenges posed by radical religious ideologies in our society,” the Council of Religion said.
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
How does anybody know who you are if you try to do banking? How does a store owner know whether or not you’ve got a gun concealed?
Now I see why everyone in the future wears form-fitting silver unitards.
The good news is they are for decriminalizing rape and decapitation of teenage female family members
William Tell wore no mask!!
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