The Dutch parliament has rejected a motion to restrict the building of minarets in the Netherlands.

The motion was submitted by an orthodox Christian party the SGP following the Swiss referendum to ban minarets. Only Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party and MP Rita Verdonk supported the motion.

SGP MP Kees van der Staaij told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that the building of minarets and mosques increased polarisation in Dutch society.

He said he would think it perfectly normal if Saudi Arabia banned the building of cathedrals in Mecca.

On Sunday, the Swiss voted for a ban on minarets in a referendum. The United Nation High Commissioner Navi Pillay says the ban is discriminatory, she fears it will lead to deeper divisions between different groups.

Turkey has also sharply condemned the ban. President Abdullah Gül called it a disgrace for Switzerland. “It is an example of the increasing hostility towards Muslims in the West,” he said.