The rise of mosques becomes catalyst for conflict across Europe

Ian Traynor in Wangen, Switzerland writes for The Guardian about a minaret being planned for a Swiss village and how it has prompted the most recent of several disputes over new places of worship.

"If Ulrich Schlüer has his way the Wangen minaret will be toppled. An MP from the rightwing Swiss People's party (SVP), the country's strongest, Mr Schlüer has launched a crusade to keep his country culturally Christian.

Switzerland’s direct democracy rules require referendums if there is enough public support. Mr [Ulrich] Schlüer [of the Swiss People’s party] has launched a petition demanding a new clause in the Swiss constitution stating: 'The building of minarets in Switzerland is forbidden.' He already has 40,000 signatures. If, as expected, he reaches 100,000 by this time next year a referendum is automatically triggered."

Schlüer added:

“Unlike other religions, Islam is not only a religion. It’s an ideology aiming to create a different legal system. That’s sharia. That's a big problem and in a proper democracy it has to be tackled. If the politicians don't, the people will.”

Read more from The Guardian.