GENEVA, May 13, 2006 (IslamOnline.net) – Muslim leaders from different ethnic communities in Switzerland have agreed to establish the first Muslim umbrella body in the central European country to represent the minority.

"The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland (FIDS) will be the one voice of Swiss Muslims," Hisam Maizar, chairman of the nascent much-awaited body, told IslamOnline.net Saturday, May 13.

The federation groups 130 Swiss Muslim bodies, representing an ethnic mosaic of Turkish, Arab, Asian, Indian, African and Balkan Muslims across 16 cantons of the country's 26.

The all-inclusive federation will be initially headquartered in the city of St. Gallen, eastern Switzerland, the hometown of Maizar.

It will have a rotating presidency and consequently headquarters.

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.

Maizar, who is also the chairman of the Union of Islamic Organizations in Eastern Switzerland, said the Swiss Muslims have long been unrepresented before the Swiss authorities.

"One of the main goals of the new federation is to represent the Muslim minority in dealing with Swiss authorities, either on the federal or canton levels," he said.

"It will also seek to maintain social harmony in Switzerland by reaching out to all cross-sections in Swiss society," he said, adding that the federation will also help unify the ranks of the multi-ethnic Muslim minority in Switzerland.

Swiss politicians have criticized Swiss Muslims for failing to speak in unison and get a real representative body.

"We will also cooperate with non-Muslim groups and NGOs," he noted.

Swiss Muslims have welcomed the birth of the new federation.

"This is a step in the right direction toward a Muslim unity in Switzerland in view of the growing debate on integration of Muslims into society," activist Samir Shafy told IOL.

Shafy also applauded the choice of Maizar to lead the Muslim federation.

"He has behind him years of professional experience and many qualifications, but above all the high esteem he enjoys among the Muslim community," he said.