Islam in europe

Swiss Federal Councilor and Foreign Minister Miicheline Calmy-Rey assured ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) that the results of the referendum to ban minarets in Switzerland are not directed against Muslims in the country.

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Switzerland Dr. Suhail Khalil Shuhaiber, and dean of the Arab diplomatic corps in Bern, Switzerland, told KUNA that the Swiss foreign minister met yesterday OIC ambassadors accredited to Switzerland to explain that Muslims have the right to all freedoms and those of continuing the building of mosques and performing their Friday prayers in mosques that surpass the 200.

The Kuwaiti Ambassador to Switzerland said that the Swiss Foreign Minister urged the Ambassadors of the OIC to place the adopted initiative in the right perspective and noted that the initiative was exploited by the People’s party and played on the fears of the people from trends in extremist Islam.

He added that the Swiss Foreign Minister called for continued constructive dialogue between Muslims in Switzerland and all sections of the Swiss society in a climate of openness, tolerance and mutual respect.

Shuhaiber said that the Swiss foreign minister stressed the importance of strengthening the already close relations between Switzerland and Islamic countries and noted that Swiss foreign policy is built on building bridges of dialogue and understanding with the Islamic countries and that this attitude will not change.

He added that the Swiss foreign minister expressed her willingness to visit the greatest number of Islamic capitals as soon as possible to explain the situation.

Source: KUNA

written by *