Swiss Muslim students face fines for not shaking hands

An exemption to a long-standing tradition in Switzerland has prompted education authorities to hand down a controversial ruling for Muslim students.

Two Muslim brothers had refused to shake hands with female teachers at their school due to their religious beliefs. Source: AAP

Swiss authorities have ruled that Muslim students must shake the hands of teachers at the start and end of lessons, or their parents could face fines of up to $7,000.

 

Handshakes between students and teachers are a deeply entrenched tradition in Switzerland, signifying respect. But last month a school in the town of Therwil agreed to allow two teenage Muslim boys an exemption.

 

The brothers had refused to shake hands with female teachers, saying their faith did not allow them to touch a woman who was not related to them. To avoid discrimination, the school also decided they should not shake hands with male teachers either.

The ruling prompted a national outcry. Even Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga commented that "shaking hands is part of our culture".

 

In a statement, the regional education department in the northern canton of Basel-Country said the exemption had been lifted.

 

"The public interest with respect to equality between men and women and the integration of foreigners significantly outweighs the freedom of religion," the statement read, adding that a teacher has the right to demand a handshake.

 

Parents or guardians of pupils who refuse to shake hands with a teacher could face fines of up to 5,000 Swiss francs (AU$7,000).

Muslim group rejects ruling

The Islamic Central Council of Switzerland (ICCS) has threatened court action if the measures are enforced.

 

In a statement the ICCS said mandating physical contact between individuals amounted to "totalitarianism", and that Basel-Country had exceeded its authority by overturning the school's decision.

 

But the school said it was "relieved" after being given "clarity on how to proceed".

The Federation of Islamic Organisations of Switzerland (IOS) said while it doesn't oppose handshaking in schools, it's disappointed authorities took legal action to settle the issue.

 

There are about 350,000 Muslims in Switzerland, which has a population of eight million.

Family in spotlight

The boys, aged 14 and 15, have told Swiss media that "nobody could make them" shake hands with a woman, and that they "could not just delete their culture as if it were a hard drive".

 

Widespread coverage of the issue has led to intense public scrutiny of the boys and their family, as they apply to become Swiss nationals.

 

Citizenship proceedings have been put on hold as migration officials in Basel seek more information about the circumstances under which the boys' father's asylum request was approved.

 

The Syrian national, who is also an imam, was granted asylum after moving to Switzerland in 2001.