Festival Against Islamophobia in Switzerland

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - A festival against Islamophobia was held yesterday, October 29, in the Swiss capital of Bern, TSR reported.

 Some 2000 Swiss Muslims took part in the festival which aimed to explain the basic concept of Islamophobia and to draw attention to the problem in order to enlighten politicians of how to ensure Swiss Muslims are accepted into Swiss society without suffering oppression or fear for their safety.

 The Festival also had a secondary aim which was to reach out to Swiss Muslims who are otherwise unaware of the scale of Islamophobia in Switzerland.

 Speaking at the event, head of the Central Islamic Council of Switzerland Nicolas Blancho referred to the ban on building minarets and said the move was a racists act aimed at spreading Islamophobia.

 He said the time had come for the ban to be lifted.

 Former British premier Tony Blair's sister-in-law Lauren Booth, who converted to Islam in the holy city of Qom, as well as Muammar Zukorlich, a Bosnian Muslim scholar, were among the guests in the festival.

 Holding a book fair, organizing an Islamic attire exhibition, and delivering of lectures by Muslim, Christian and Jewish personalities about the need for fighting Islamophobia were among the programs on the sidelines of the festival.

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