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Scandal in Switzerland/ Albanian Imam Bashkim Aliu dismissed after homophobic statements and links to Hamas revealed

2026-11-08 10:56:09Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Scandal in Switzerland/ Albanian Imam Bashkim Aliu dismissed after homophobic
Aliu Union

One of the well-known figures of the Islamic community in Switzerland, the Albanian-origin imam Bashkim Aliu, has been forced to step down from all his public functions after an investigation by the SonntagsZeitung newspaper. The investigation revealed his homophobic statements as well as close contacts with radical Islamic circles, including his participation in an event attended by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran by Israel.

Until the middle of this week, Ali headed the Imams Commission at the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland (FIDS) and served as the highest theological authority of the Union of Islamic Organizations in Zurich (VIOZ), a role in which he maintained regular official contacts with Swiss cantonal and municipal authorities.

However, after the publication of the findings, FIDS immediately dismissed him from his duties, while Aliu himself was forced to resign from all positions within VIOZ.

 The Swiss newspaper revealed a series of controversial statements by the imam, including a 2017 post in which he described the "Pride" parade in Pristina as a "parade of shame." The Swiss organizations VIOZ and FIDS strongly distanced themselves, emphasizing that homophobic or degrading statements contradict their principles and Swiss law.

 The most serious part of the scandal relates to a trip by Ali to Doha, Qatar, in January 2024. There he participated in the General Assembly of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, an organization closely linked to Our Muslim Brothers.

The then-Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, also gave a speech at the same event.

FIDS leaders stated that they had no knowledge of Ali's participation in this conference, while VIOZ announced that he had not traveled on their behalf and that this matter is subject to further verification. The case has also taken on political dimensions due to public funding.

From 2017 to 2025, the canton has transferred around 2.5 million francs to VIOZ for the Islamic spiritual care project in public institutions, in addition to an annual support of 50 thousand francs from the city of Zurich itself.


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