LUZERN, Switzerland, June 18, 2005 (IslamOnline.net)
– Swiss Muslims in the central canton of Luzern have established an
umbrella group to streamline their integration efforts.
“It will basically liaise with
authorities in Luzern to remove barriers of fear and mutual mistrust
created by media campaigns that sully the image of Muslims and
Islam,” Yousef Sabadia, the chairman of the nascent Union of the
Muslim Community (IGL), told IslamOnline.net Saturday, June 18.
He said the new body will serve as a
“melting pot” for Luzern Muslims irrespective of their ethnic
backgrounds.
The union was inaugurated Thursday,
June 16, in a gala ceremony at the City Council, attended by Luzern
Integration Officer Hans Joerg Vogel and Director of Social Affairs
Department Ruedi Meier.
Representatives of Islamic unions in
cities like Basel, Losone and Biel were also keen on attending as a
show of solidarity.
During the ceremony, Sabadia read the
union’s Declaration of Principles, which provides for respecting
Swiss law and constitution, supporting democracy and contributing
positively to the welfare of society.
The document also underlines the
importance of dialogue based on common grounds with Swiss Christians
and Jews.
Gov’t Appreciation
Vogel said the new body crowned
earnest Muslim efforts to boost integration into Swiss society.
Speaking to IOL, Luzern integration
official expected the union to close Muslim ranks, enhance inter-faith
dialogue and play a pivotal role in Luzern integration programs.
“The union is also expected to
raise the awareness of the Muslim minority about the grave
consequences of extremism,” Vogel added.
Praising the union’s sublime goals
as outlined in its charter, the official said the new body’s name
indicate that Luzern Muslims are resolved to speak with one voice.
Meir, who doubles as member of Luzern
Parliament, said the new body also shoulders the task of defending
Islam against media campaigns and clearing stereotypes on the Muslim
faith.
According to IOL’s correspondent
the union will also cater for the needs of Muslim prisoners and
patients in state-run hospitals.
Denying
citizenship to Muslims of the Balkans, who met the
necessary requirements and conditions, is also high on the union’s
agenda.
The body will not receive financial
support from the canton, but officials pledged to facilitate its
mission.
Islam Recognition
On Luzern’s recognition of Islam,
Meir said that a new constitutional article, which makes the code more
liberal and allows the recognition of religions, would be put to a
referendum later in the year.
The Swiss Academy for Development
(SAD) think-tank recommended in February teaching Islam in Luzern
schools as it helped remove misconceptions on the Muslim faith.
Luzern has a Muslim population of
14,000 people mostly of Bosnian, Albanian and Turkish origin.
No mosque has been constructed yet in
the canton but only prayers rooms and halls in five Islamic centers.
Switzerland is home to some 380,000
Muslims representing a sizable 4.7 percent of the country’s some
eight million people.
Islam is the second religion in the
country after Christianity.
