Switzerland has narrowly voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.
People hold signs during a protest hours after Switzerland voted in favour of banning face coverings in public, including the burka or niqab worn by Muslim women.
Photo: AFP
Official results showed the measure had passed by 51.2 percent to 48.8 percent in Sunday s referendum.
The proposal was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People s Party (SVP) which campaigned with slogans such as Stop extremism .
A leading Swiss Islamic group said it was a dark day for Muslims. Today s decision opens old wounds, further expands the principle of legal inequality, and sends a clear signal of exclusion to the Muslim minority, the Central Council of Muslims said in a statement, adding that it would challenge the decision in court.
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