Swiss Islamic Council Questions Banning Quran Distribution

Swiss MP Seeks to Stop Distribution of Quran.

 

Geneva, 9 Sya’ban 1438/6 May 2017 (MINA)- The Islamic Shura Council in Switzerland is planning to refer to judicial authorities for determining legality of Zurich’s authorities’ ban of distributing the Holy Book, the Quran, in public The council’s media spokesperson, Abdul Aziz Elie, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), on Friday, that the council examined details of the announcement by the director of public security in Zurich, Mario Fehr, to enforce the ban in the district towns.

The prohibition is another phase in a process of restricting Muslims and breaching the law that protects right to freedoms of religion and expression and legalizes distribution of religious books, he said.

Elaborating, Elie expressed concerns toward Zurich’s security chief’s intentions, accusing him of harboring hostile sentiments against the Muslims, noting that Fehr has urged owners of public conference halls against hosting activities and seminars by the council.

Distribution of religious publications at public places is common in Switzerland, thus the measure against the Quran is unprecedented.

The director of public security in Zurich had issued a statement advising authorities in the district towns to abstain from issuing permits to Islamic associations and councils to distribute the Quran free of charge at public locations. Some 72,000 Muslims live in Zurich, some 6.5 percent of the canton population. Totally, there are 451,000 Muslims in the European nation. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)