Muslim Organisations and the Laïcité: Challenge in the Canton of Geneva

Author(s) : Victor Sanchez-Mazas

Source : https://www.seismoverlag.ch/site/assets/files/19596/oa_9783037777435.pdf#page=82

Abstract:

“In Switzerland, relationships between religious communities and public authorities are a cantonal prerogative. Swiss subsidiarity in general, and in religious matters in particular, has arisen in a context of cantonal religious homogeneity. Yet, religious pluralism has also increased to a different extent within the cantons. Among them, two cantons declare themselves as laïque in their constitutions: Neuchatel and Geneva. While we can question whether Neuchatel should be called laïque since it recognises some religious communities in its constitution, there is no doubt that the separation between the state and the religious communities is deeper in Geneva. The canton of Geneva only constitutionally proclaimed its laïque character in 2013, yet it took the road of secularisation a long time ago. Over the three past decades, the secularisation process has been fuelled to some extent by the growing presence of Muslims in the canton.”