-27 June 2019This is the 8th in a series of translations by Fousesquawk on the Muslim Brotherhood in Western Europe-country by country in the original language. This article is in Italian and from the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It appeared in Ticino Online on 27 June 2019. You should note that Islamic Community of Ticino is in capitals because that is the name of the principal Islamic organization in Ticino.
I anticipate doing more articles on Switzerland focusing on the German and French-speaking cantons as well.
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"The Muslim Brothers are not outside the law in Switzerland"
The State Counsel responds to the inquiry by Tiziano Galeazzi and co-signatories about the financing of the Islamic community by Qatar
Bellinzona- The Islamic Community of Ticino has received money, specifically 1.7 million (Swiss) Francs, from Qatar. That is what emerged from the book, "Qatar Papers", published in the past months in France. Revelations that have caused polemics and questions in our canton, including inquiries presented by Tiziano Galeazzi and co-signatories with the concern that Qatar "is commonly recognized as (being) very close to the Muslim Brotherhood."
Religious liberty- An inquiry, to which the State Counsel responded yesterday with a long promise.
"Let's remember that the subject is principally under federal jurisdiction," the government writes, and that " freedom of religion and conscience is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and the Cantonal Constitution.," a fundamental right that " applies to every citizen equally, independent of their religion."
"Let's remember that the subject is principally under federal jurisdiction," the government writes, and that " freedom of religion and conscience is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution and the Cantonal Constitution.," a fundamental right that " applies to every citizen equally, independent of their religion."
"Not outside the law"
Before answering questions, he also noted that "Up to now in Switzerland, the movement of the Muslim Brotherhood is not considered an illegal terrorist movement, it is not among the entities which could be objects of (monitoring) on the part of the intelligence service of the Confederation (SIC)" and "though they represent one of the more important Islamist organizations, and their political approach to Islam is often very radical, that is not sufficient to consider them outside the law."
Protection of information
The government can neither confirm nor deny that the founders of the Islamic community were members of the Muslim Brotherhood fundamentalist movement, because, "it is neither legitimate nor appropriate that the State Counsel gathers information in order to associate subjects/organizations to the Muslim Brotherhood," also in harmony with the rules on "protection of persons and information."
Being radical "is not illegal"
The government had been asked, "in what manner (it) monitors and prevents in order to avoid that radical ideologies expand and come into conflict with our laws and our Constitution". On that point, it is noted that "in Switzerland, being a radical Muslim is not considered illegal" and "in absence of activity that instigates violence, there are no legal bases to act." The canton is, at any rate, equipped with a means of prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, and the responsible services of the cantonal police are in contact with federal authorities.
The funding coming from Qatar and destined to the Islamic Community in Ticino, therefore, "doesn't constitute a crime as long as it occurs in a transparent manner and doesn't violate Swiss rules," and " cannot be the object of investigations."
Before answering questions, he also noted that "Up to now in Switzerland, the movement of the Muslim Brotherhood is not considered an illegal terrorist movement, it is not among the entities which could be objects of (monitoring) on the part of the intelligence service of the Confederation (SIC)" and "though they represent one of the more important Islamist organizations, and their political approach to Islam is often very radical, that is not sufficient to consider them outside the law."
Protection of information
The government can neither confirm nor deny that the founders of the Islamic community were members of the Muslim Brotherhood fundamentalist movement, because, "it is neither legitimate nor appropriate that the State Counsel gathers information in order to associate subjects/organizations to the Muslim Brotherhood," also in harmony with the rules on "protection of persons and information."
Being radical "is not illegal"
The government had been asked, "in what manner (it) monitors and prevents in order to avoid that radical ideologies expand and come into conflict with our laws and our Constitution". On that point, it is noted that "in Switzerland, being a radical Muslim is not considered illegal" and "in absence of activity that instigates violence, there are no legal bases to act." The canton is, at any rate, equipped with a means of prevention of radicalization and violent extremism, and the responsible services of the cantonal police are in contact with federal authorities.
The funding coming from Qatar and destined to the Islamic Community in Ticino, therefore, "doesn't constitute a crime as long as it occurs in a transparent manner and doesn't violate Swiss rules," and " cannot be the object of investigations."
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