Turkish president, foreign minister criticize Swiss minaret referendum

Tue 01 December 2009 16:36 GMT | 21:36 Local Time

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Abdullah Gul

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has described Sunday's referendum banning the construction of new minarets in Switzerland as contrary to fundamental rights and freedoms.

"This is a shame for the Swiss," President Gul told reporters on Tuesday before leaving for Jordan on an official visit.

"This issue should be monitored seriously. It is a striking way to show how Islamophobia develops in the Western world," Gul said.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "disappointment" on Tuesday at the referendum.

The ministry said both Turkey and the international community expected Switzerland to take steps to correct the situation which was not in line with the traditions of Switzerland.

More than 57.5% of Swiss voters and 22 out of 26 cantons voted in favour of the ban on the construction of new minarets. The proposal had been put forward by the Swiss People's Party, the largest party in parliament, which described minarets as a sign of Islamisation.

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