December 4, 2009

KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights praised the Dutch government today for rejecting a motion to restrict the building of minarets in the Netherlands. The motion came in response to a recent Swiss referendum approving a ban on the construction of minarets.

KARAMAH made the following statement:

“KARAMAH envisions a world in which the principles of dignity and justice triumph over ignorance and prejudice. We are pleased that the Dutch government has chosen to uphold the notion of religious freedom and oppose discrimination.”

A proponent of civil and religious liberties for all, KARAMAH actively conducts educational and scholarly programs in Europe to respond to the unique concerns of European Muslims. On November 7, 2009, KARAMAH held a Law and Leadership Workshop in Brussels, Belgium to train women in Islamic law and leadership-building to equip them with the skills to address problems in their community, including bans on the headscarf and other religious symbols.

Click here for a PDF of the statement.

Read a press release by the Director of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressing concern on the outcome of the Swiss minaret ban referendum.