Artwork by Shepard Fairey aka Obey

So the world stood still (did it?!) once again today as the Swiss voted against minarets in a referendum. Now I must admit I hardly know anything about the country. I grew up learning how Switzerland was a haven of peace and neutrality. I’ve been in Zurich in transit travelling with SwissAir. I know they are the country of the Alps, cows and cheese. I know they’ve got more banks than anyone else in the world (just guessing here) and that probably Roger Federer, who’s the best know Swiss guy right now, likes dropping big bags of cash in their volts.

Now reading certain publications and hearing debates across media today, I must also consider it a harbour for new extremism as it seems throughout the passed years Switzerland (as many other European countries) has held many debates on the integrations of the Muslim community within their borders. The most recent being the discussion on whether the construction of minarets in Switzerland should be banned or allowed.  Bare in mind that the country right know only has four minarets.

The referendum was held. The people spoke and minarets are out of the question. For a country that pretends to be neutral, this seems to be a strange decision (considering other forms of religious symbols and buildings are still allowed).

Although the Swiss constitution will add the law, people have started speaking out against it. Just as them I question the legality of the referendum initiative with the European Charter for Human Rights.

Anyways, we haven’t gathered here to discuss politics, as we definitely are not a political blog. What I will tell you though is that this post grew from the taught that a situation as presented today, usually brings forth some forms of street art/rebellion as a result of the public debate. That’s why I started digging and this is all I was able to find. Out.

Tagged: Graffiti, i build minarets wherever i want, islam, minarets, obey, referendum, shepard fairley, Street art, switzerland