This is an odd situation:
But Ueli Maurer, president of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, says that there is "no place" for Islamic courses in a Christian country like Switzerland.
The plan to educate Imams was put forward by the Swiss Bishops' Conference and the Swiss Protestant Church Federation.
Agnell Rickmann, secretary-general of the Bishops' Conference, said he was "convinced" it would make sense to create structures for a course for prayer leaders, in an interview with the 'NZZ am Sonntag' newspaper.
I can understand why the Swiss are wary of importing radical Imams, but why does the Swiss Protestant Church have to be the body that deals with this issue? Makes one glad to live in a country where Church and State are kept seperate.
However, Maurer from the Swiss People’s Party is fundamentally opposed to the idea.
"Switzerland is a Christian country," he said without compromise, arguing there was "no place" in it for Islamic courses at state universities.
Maurer added that he did not believe that Imams educated in Switzerland would be any less radical than their colleagues from abroad.
"A certain fanaticism is simply part of this religion. Studying in Switzerland will not change that," he added.
Whether or not fanaticism will become intrinsic to Islam is up to Muslims to decide. Reform and renewal can only come from them. In the meantime, the Swiss Protestant Church will try to do what it can. But that solution appears to be makeshift and tenuous at best.
But Ueli Maurer, president of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, says that there is "no place" for Islamic courses in a Christian country like Switzerland.
The plan to educate Imams was put forward by the Swiss Bishops' Conference and the Swiss Protestant Church Federation.
Agnell Rickmann, secretary-general of the Bishops' Conference, said he was "convinced" it would make sense to create structures for a course for prayer leaders, in an interview with the 'NZZ am Sonntag' newspaper.
I can understand why the Swiss are wary of importing radical Imams, but why does the Swiss Protestant Church have to be the body that deals with this issue? Makes one glad to live in a country where Church and State are kept seperate.
However, Maurer from the Swiss People’s Party is fundamentally opposed to the idea.
"Switzerland is a Christian country," he said without compromise, arguing there was "no place" in it for Islamic courses at state universities.
Maurer added that he did not believe that Imams educated in Switzerland would be any less radical than their colleagues from abroad.
"A certain fanaticism is simply part of this religion. Studying in Switzerland will not change that," he added.
Whether or not fanaticism will become intrinsic to Islam is up to Muslims to decide. Reform and renewal can only come from them. In the meantime, the Swiss Protestant Church will try to do what it can. But that solution appears to be makeshift and tenuous at best.