July 2, 2009 - 5:51 PM

Town agrees to fifth minaret in Switzerland

Controversial plans for a minaret in Langenthal in canton Bern have been given the go-ahead by the town authorities.

Building permission was granted for the minaret to be placed on the roof of the local Islamic centre, the authorities announced on Thursday.

There was opposition to the project among the local population with thousands of objections lodged against it.

There are currently four minarets in Switzerland, including Geneva, Zurich and Winterthur.

Earlier this week the government fixed November 29 as a date for a public vote on a minaret ban proposed by rightwing parties.

The initiative has prompted widespread concerns, including from Muslim organisations and it has already been rejected by the cabinet and parliament.

swissinfo.ch and agencies