Albanians aim to build mosques, Swiss municipality does not allow: No Islamic centre against the will of local communities

A Muslim mosque centre is planned in the center of the village of Siebnan. The Albanian community Muslim (AIG) in Altendorf has purchased the so-called Läuper House in Glaernerstrasse, in which previously there was a rented shop, rnsmeton albinfo.ch. The building will not collapse, but will be renovated from the inside.

The Society stresses that no visible changes are planned outwardly in the sense of religious architecture. A publicly accessible restaurant is envisioned in the former store area, along with a prayer room on an existing annex, reports the newspaper “Bote der Urschweiz”. The modifications will be limited to internal design and technical requirements such as fire safety and emergency exits.

But changing the use of the building is now causing debate in the community. Schwyz Canton's Economic Affairs Department concluded that AIG's purchase of property did not require permission and gave the green light. The Schübelbachu municipality disagrees and filed a complaint against this decision, media reports Swiss.

Association rejects accusations

The municipality excuses its actions by claiming that it should be considered if individuals living abroad may have a controlling interest in buying.

In Switzerland, no Muslim centre can be established against the will of local communities and without revealing funding sources”.

Furthermore, it stresses that any subsequent change in property use would in any case require a formal construction permit process, including a review of the area's compliance, albinfo conveys. Swiss newspaper. Religious churches and buildings are specifically regulated in the municipal construction code.

The association staunchly rejects accusations made by the municipality. Sinan Sadriu, leader of the project establishing the cultural mosque centre, explains that all funds stem from the region and are collected by members living in Switzerland.

There is neither government support nor any flow of money from outside. This information was verified by the canton. “Each franc comes from the local community”, he told the newspaper “Bote”.

The question asked by the newspaper if the municipality was essentially against an Islamic cultural centre, the municipal council refused to respond. They claimed they wanted to ensure that all legal requirements were met. At the same time, the municipality acknowledges: “This is probably an emotionally charged issue”. /Periscopi/