Is their islamaphobia in switzerland?

Question

Its for a paper

Answer 1

We have racists in Switzerland, we have far right extremists and christian fundamentalists, like in any other country. But in general I'd say that the average swiss is fairly tolerant of different religions and cultures (after all we have 3 different cultures within our borders, and they learned to cohexist).

I think that the real islamophobics are just a few, but in the last few years we did develop a sort of "islamofear", like most of the western world. After all we do watch the news, and they've been doing a good job of painting Islam as a danger for us all. Even though I would rate our media as fairly balanced, the constant "oh my god, the terrorists are coming" we've been put through in the last 6 years did sink in a little bit. But like I said, it hasn't gotten too bad, so all in all I would say that there really isn't islamophobia in Switzerland.

Answer 2

Can you be more specific in your definition of islamaphobia?

There are approximately 400,000 in Switzerland who believe in the Islamic faith.  The Swiss are well traveled and see and experience many different cultures, so there is a great amount of tolerance, but the rules must be followed. For example, over 20% of the population in Switzerland do not have Swiss citizenship.

But then again in Switzerland, for example, you can write in a job advertisement that you are specifically looking for a women between the ages of 30 to 40 to work as your assistant. This is a big No No in most English speaking countries. I would have to state in general terms there is none to little islamaphobia in particular from my own experience. The ...aphobia in Switzerland is more of a "forgineraphobia" than anything to do specifically with Islamphobia.

Switzerland has approximately 452 persons per square mile trying to live together in a productive, respectful, tolerant society. The boarders of Switzerland, which have been open since 2002, to a great deal to the European Union and have caused a great increase of German nationals. Nothing against the northern neighbors from Germany, but this different culture and increase in German population over the past few years has cause a great deal of resentment and tension thus causing in a sense a Germanaphobia.

As with the changing weather in Switzerland, there is a lot of gray in the valleys and sun on the slopes, but exactly where the line lies between the two is always changing.  The infamous Swiss saying goes... ["Das ist nicht möglich" It is not possible]... to tell you if there is or is not islamaphobia or how much there is, if any.  It is a very complicated country for the Swiss themselves, so be patient and be persistent and you may find something.

Below is an organization that most likely will be able to provide a more detailed and specific answer for your research in Switzerland concerning your question. English is in principle the business language in Switzerland for international companies, so write an Email and let them know how they can help you.

Gesellschaft Schweiz - Islamische Welt (GSIW)

Bahnhofstrasse 13

8952 Schlieren



E-Mail:    [e-mail]

Internet:  www.gsiw.ch

Answer 3

None whatsoever......

Answer 4

less than christianophobia in islamic countries

Answer 5

like any western countries