Say supporters and opponents

The Weinfelder confidently rejected the revised peace regulations on Sunday with a planned grave field according to Islamic tradition. The participation was over 50 percent, the result was relatively short. Another solution is now required. « The disappointment in the Muslim community is great, » says a representative.

The cubes have fallen: the Weinfeld vocal cord gives the revised peace regulations to remove. The voting struggle was particularly about the new Article 25 f)which newly provided a burial ground in the Weinfeld cemetery according to Islamic tradition. The decision is short: In 1947 yes votes to 2078 no votes, only 131 votes make the difference on Sunday. The participation is 53.89 percent.

« Orthodox have to create private cemeteries like the Jews »

Initiator and Edu parliamentarian Lukas Madörin is visibly relieved. He says: « I fell a stone from my heart. » The main thing is that an intensive dialogue has taken place in the past five months. « In this respect, I could have lived with a yes too. » Now, as announced, it is about developing the « better solution for Weinfelden ». Markus Schär from the referendum committee strikes sharper tones:

« In Weinfelden, the people today voted on a question that you should have discussed 25 years ago nationwide. »

The success of the referendum does not question the existing Muslim graves. But: « He has to lead to a » marching « and a nationwide debate whether we want to change our secular order due to religious demands. » In other words, we hope that the decision will lead to a national debate about dealing with Islam. » In the debate, it was never a matter of Islamophobia or xenophobia, « but about a fundamental question of integration. »

Adem Kujovic, General Secretary of the umbrella organization of Islamic communities in Eastern Switzerland (Digo), says on request: « The disappointment in the Muslim community is great ». The short decision is regretted and respect the result of the vote. « The no shows that we could not convey our concerns well enough and that misleading information and symbolic policy have had their effect. »

The Digo now hopes that the « undisputed innovations » of the Friedhoferlementen will be implemented promptly. And, according to Kujovic: « We are excited to see how the ‘good solutions’, which the referendum leaders promised during the voting struggle, are discussed in the city parliament. » After all, the resulting dialogue is a profit for the whole society. « The need for burials according to Islamic tradition was publicly discussed – that alone is a step forward. »