FACT CHECK: A Facebook post claims Switzerland has banned hijabs and does not recognize Islam as an official religion
A Facebook post claims that Switzerland has banned hijabs and does not recognize Islam as an official religion, which has been determined to be false. While it is true that Swiss voters supported a referendum in 2021 to ban facial coverings, such as the burqa and niqab, this ban does not extend to hijabs. The measure passed narrowly and was approved by the Swiss parliament in 2023. Furthermore, the Swiss government officially recognizes freedom of religion, including Islam. The misleading post contains an image promoting the ban on face coverings, but it does not accurately reflect Switzerland’s stance on hijabs or its recognition of Islamic practices.
A post shared on Facebook claims Switzerland has banned hijabs and refuses to recognize Islam as an official religion.
Verdict: False
Swiss voters supported a referendum on banning face coverings, “including the burqa or niqab” in public in 2021, with parliament approving the ban in 2023, according to BBC News and The Associated Press. In addition, the Swiss government’s website indicates Switzerland supports freedom of religion.
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The Facebook post claims Switzerland has banned hijabs and refuses to recognize Islam as an official religion. The post features an image of two young women posing beside a poster featuring a woman wearing a veil. “No to the veil,” text included on the poster, which has been translated from French, reads.
The claim is false. In 2021, Swiss voters supported a referendum on banning face coverings, “including the burqa or niqab” in public, according to BBC News. The measure, which was promoted by the conservative Swiss People’s Party, “passed by 51.2% to 48.8%,” the outlet reported. Swiss Parliament approved the ban, which also applies to ski masks and bandanas “worn by some protesters,” in 2023, according to The Associated Press. The vote was approved 151 to 29, The Associated Press indicated.
Likewise, according to the Swiss government’s website, Switzerland supports freedom of religion. “The majority of Switzerland’s population identifies as Christian. The largest religious group are Catholics, followed by Protestants. Apart from Reformed Protestants and Roman Catholics, Switzerland is also home to members of various other religious communities, including free churches, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and followers of other faiths,” the same website states. (RELATED: Video Claims Houthis Have 171 Vessels)
In addition, Check Your Fact found no credible news reports to support the claim. Actually, the opposite is true. The Quint and Logically Facts both reported the claim was false via respective articles published on July 17 and July 19.
This is not the first time a false claim has circulated online. Check Your Fact previously debunked a post shared on X that claimed an American-made air defense missile hit a Kyiv children’s hospital.
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