Ever wondered where Zurich’s Muslim community gathers? Here at Rötelstrasse 86 stands the Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich. It is more than just a building. It is a vibrant center of faith and community.
The story of the Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich dates back to the 1960s. Muslim students gathered for Friday prayers. They met in each other’s apartments. By the early 1970s, the community had grown significantly. Student apartments became too small. The ETH Zurich offered a room for Friday prayers. This space usually hosted student parties. Every week it transformed into a prayer hall.
The number of Muslim guest workers increased in the 1970s. They came mostly from Turkey and former Yugoslavia. The need for a dedicated space grew. A place for Friday prayers was needed. A place for meetings and community was desired. On July 5, 1975, the first Islamic association was founded. It was named “Islamische Gemeinschaft in der Deutschsprachigen Schweiz.” Its office was in a rented apartment on Nordstrasse.
The community included members from diverse Islamic countries. The board consisted of Muslims from Bosnia, Turkey, Switzerland, and Egypt. Adil Zulfikarpasic, the community president, worked hard. In 1982, the house on Rötelstrasse was purchased by the Emirates. In 1983, it was handed over to the Islamic community. The property where the Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich is now located belongs to the United Arab Emirates. The Islamic community has the right of use. The house must serve Muslims. Its operations follow Swiss association law.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Islamic community grew. There was a need for more space. Several communities emerged. They were often organized along ethnic lines. Today, there are Arab, Turkish, Bosnian, Albanian, Pakistani, and Iranian organizations. At Rötelstrasse, mostly Arabic-speaking Muslims gather. The mosque welcomes many nationalities. Turks, Bosnians, Albanians, Somalis, Pakistanis, and Swiss Muslims visit.
The foundation council manages the Islamic center of the Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich. The managing administrator and Imam also lead. Imam means role model or leader. He leads the Islamic communal prayer. This is especially true during Friday prayers. He is an employee of the mosque. He is not a priest. Any adult Muslim can be an Imam. This is regardless of their social status. They should know the tradition well. The most learned or respected member often gets this honor.
In Switzerland, the Imam has additional responsibilities. He answers religious questions. He manages social and civil matters. These include marriage, divorce, birth, and conversion. He organizes visits for political, church, and school groups. He represents the foundation in the media. He manages the website. He visits Muslim patients and prisoners. He maintains religious relationships with other Islamic organizations. He answers religious questions from city authorities. He also performs ritual duties at funerals.
Since its beginning, the Islamic community in Zurich wanted a comprehensive infrastructure. This included a mosque, an Islamic cultural center, a Quran school, an Islamic cemetery, and housing for seniors and students.
Representatives of the Islamic community met with the city council on January 20, 1994. They discussed their need for a cemetery. They spoke about Islamic burials. They also expressed their desire to build a mosque. Several meetings followed. The negotiating delegation met with city authorities. They discussed details.
A cantonal regulation prevented separate burial grounds for different religions. This hindered the creation of Islamic burial plots. Muslims looked for a private cemetery. The VIOZ could not raise the funds for a private Islamic cemetery. The project faced opposition.
The canton of Zurich eased the 1963 regulation. The Catholic and Reformed churches supported the change. This allowed the city of Zurich to establish separate Islamic burial plots. On June 26, 2004, the first Islamic burial plots opened in the Witikon cemetery. This was after almost 10 years of effort.
The Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich is a member of VIOZ. In 2003, a project for public recognition failed. In 2004, the foundation launched its website. The address www.moschee-zurich.ch was replaced by www.islam-zh.ch in 2007. This provides another way to communicate.
The Stiftung Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich continues to serve Zurich’s Muslim community. It offers religious guidance, community support, and cultural enrichment. It stands as a testament to the community’s enduring spirit. It shows their commitment to their faith in the heart of Zurich.