2014 Swiss Minaret Initiative

The 2014 Swiss Minaret Initiative was a national referendum in Switzerland that led to a constitutional ban on building new minarets, the towers associated with mosques. Inspired by concerns over cultural integration and security, the referendum passed with about 57% support. The ban prohibited the construction of additional minarets but did not restrict existing ones. Critics argued it targeted a specific religious community and threatened religious freedom, while supporters viewed it as a measure to preserve national identity. The initiative sparked international debate about religious tolerance, integration, and the balance between cultural values and religious rights.