Why did the Swiss vote this way?

As a Swiss citizen I would say that the Swiss emphasised their desire to live in peace with nothing threatening their multi-cultural identity. The problem is that some have described foreigners as a danger and people voted against minarets because someone played on the fear, even depicting minarets as missiles pointed at the people and Muslims as a threat.

How do you explain this?

The result of this referendum has given rise to numerous concerns; the Council of Europe, the UN and the Vatican are only a few examples of those who have expressed perplexity. This result was the consequence of various factors. There is without doubt a prevailing climate of disinformation. It is the fault of the media, which for some years has been working in a state of constant inebriation, fuelling hatred for foreigners in general and Muslims in particular. Then there is also a certain right-wing factions that in the absence of political programmes look for and find easy votes by attacking foreigners. One must also bear in mind that this right-wing carried out a unilateral campaign, because, as a minority, Muslims did not have the means to defend themselves from an aggressive and unjust campaign. Even if there was no active participation from other political parties, standing by and doing nothing left the Muslims isolated.

Do you not think that the “Muslim community” too has some responsibility due to a lack of integration with Swiss customs?

Swiss law considers integration an encounter between two cultures and two ways of living. This implies both parties must make an effort and in the Ticino we have been working at this for over twenty years, as shown by all politicians, magazines and statistics. Of course there are some who do not behave well and others who only look at the cases that make the headlines, where names and nationalities are provided to emphasise ethnic and religious origins.

Did you expect the result of this referendum to be “no”?

No I did not expect it all, nor did many other politicians, so I am totally disconcerted. The future now seems uncertain and I fear those who raised this commotion will not stop at this and will irresponsibly place social unity at risk.

Is it different when this sort of decision is taken directly by the people rather than by the judicial system?

One must acknowledge that we are discussing a serious discrimination against Muslims, which will have a very negative impact on this minority. That said, it would have been worse if this decision had been taken by the judicial system. There is a great difference between living in a racist state passing discriminatory laws and living in a country in which a few politicians exploit the fears of the people.

Do you think Switzerland is a traditionally “closed” country, or is this a modern problem?

The Swiss mentality is traditionally closed and the people’s refusal to join the European Union proves this. One should not, however, forget that we are speaking of a people that draws its strength from cultural and linguistic diversity. I truly believe we are experiencing a problem specifically linked to the times.

How did the Swiss press react to this referendum?

It is said that the Swiss newspapers condemned the result. It is true, some journalists did. However, I do not think that a few articles in a few days can annul a campaign of disinformation that has lasted for years. There are newspapers that thrive on discriminatory lies, but in spite of this people read them.

Do you believe the Switzerland has implemented real mechanisms for integration?

Although we are far from an ideal result I must admit that efforts have been made by Swiss politicians to encourage integration. For example there are commissions for integration and against racism that work both at a Federal and Cantonal level.

Is this referendum a “formidable gift to the most extreme Islam”?

I admit that there are Muslims who do not correctly understand Islam, others who lead “closed” lives and some who stain with blood the white of Islam. Real Islam instead is peace and coexistence; a history of centuries of real coexistence in Andalusia and in the Middle East bear witness to this.

What does the Swiss referendum ultimately reveal? Does it ring alarm bells for the whole of Europe?

It certainly does. If this does not ring alarms bells what will? There are more than 20 million Muslims living in Europe, some are second or third generation. Many have no other homeland and were born and have always lived here. What would they be expected to do and where would they go if the subject of the next referendum were “We no longer want Muslims in Europe”?

Translated by Francesca Simmons