With thanks to Robert Spencer, where I first saw this article:
SWISSINFO: Amid a fierce debate about minarets, public services in canton Zurich are being tested to determine if they discriminate against Muslims.
The cantonal authorities commissioned the fact-finding study to provide a more solid foundation for an ongoing political debate on how Muslims practise their religion in Zurich.
The Zurich chapter of the rightwing Swiss People's Party put forward a motion last August calling for a ban on the construction of "provocative" minaret towers on Muslim centres of worship.
This was followed by a similar national initiative earlier this year that was condemned by several government ministers.
Dr Thomas Widmer from Zurich University's Institute of Political Sciences has been given the task of assessing the suitability of the canton's health, education, penal and social services for the Muslim population.
"We will try to find out if the services provided by the cantonal authorities allow religious freedom for Muslims and, also, if these religious activities are disturbing other people using these services," he told swissinfo.
"The Swiss constitution guarantees religious freedom and the canton must examine that this is not being violated." Zurich introduces "Muslim friendliness" check (more)
Deutsch: Zürich lanciert erste Studie über Muslime
Français:
Première étude sur l'Islam à Zurich
Mark Alexander
