Muslims in many parts of Switzerland have invited the public into mosques² - three weeks before a vote on whether to ban the construction of minarets⁴.

瑞士的穆斯林邀请公众进入清真寺参观——还有三周将投票决定是否禁止宣礼塔的建设。

Swiss Muslims hope to promote better understanding of their religion

Muslim organisations say they hope their open day will counter what they say are fears and prejudices.

The conservative group that initiated⁵（开始，创始） the vote - the largest party in the Swiss parliament - says minarets（尖塔，宣礼塔） 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（礼拜的场所）. Only four have a minaret³, local media say.

The open day was held on Saturday in 12 cantons（小行政区，邦）, 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 mosque¹ 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.