TORONTO – Switzerland’s recent referendum calling for a ban on the construction of minarets alongside mosques has stirred protests around the world and now the Canadian Jewish Congress is adding its voice to the concern.

The ballot held this week surprised observers when 57 per cent of voters supported the ban on minarets, or towers on mosques from which calls to prayer are broadcast.

“State-imposed bans on essential elements of houses of worship are inconsistent with freedom of religion,” said congress president Mark Freiman in a release.

“When the bans apply only to one group, they are also inconsistent with the fundamental right to equality.”

That’s why the group is “deeply concerned” with the referendum’s results, Freiman said, adding that “as Canadians and as Jews, we hold tolerance dear to our hearts and understand the consequences of discrimination.”

The legally binding referendum was spearheaded by Switzerland’s far-right, nationalist Swiss People’s Party.

Walter Wobmann, the president of the initiative committee, said in a victory speech following the referendum that “we just want to stop further Islamization in Switzerland.”

There are about 400,000 Muslims in Switzerland, or five per cent of the population.

The CJC joins a host of countries as well as the Vatican and human rights groups that have condemned the decision.

Existing minarets are not subject to the ban.