**Muslims in many parts of Switzerland have invited the public into mosques - three weeks before a vote on whether to ban the construction of minarets.**Muslim organisations say they hope their open day will counter what they say are fears and prejudices.
The conservative group that initiated the vote - the largest party in the Swiss parliament - says minarets are a symbol of Muslim political power.
Opinion polls suggest the proposed ban will be rejected by voters.
A Muslim community leader in Zurich, Tamir Hadjipolu, said the proposal - launched by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) - was “open discrimination”.
Preaching to the converted
Switzerland is home to 400,000 Muslims, who have about 200 places of worship. Only four have a minaret, local media say.
The open day was held on Saturday in 12 cantons, including Geneva, Vaud and Freiburg.
“We hope these meetings will build a dialogue and better understanding,” said Hisham Maizar, a senior Muslim representative in eastern Switzerland.
The BBC’s Imogen Foulkes, who visited a mosque in Zurich, says the many non-Muslims who came enjoyed themselves.
But the debate is raging outside the building, our correspondent says, and the Muslims inside were likely to be preaching to the converted.