Rompre le ramadan au centre-ville

Abstract

This article presents, describes, and analyses an event for breaking the fast organized in the public sphere by a local association of young Muslims in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The authors examine the signs and features by which the association presented itself and the Muslim population. After a description of the square, focusing on its configuration and equipment, the authors note that the forms more closely resemble a folk than a religious event. The authors then analyze the speeches that were held at the opening of the event. They note that the religious features were relatively little mediatized by the Muslim actors. Instead, it is the image of the Muslim as an ordinary citizen that is stressed. In conclusion, the authors propose a reflection on the issues of visibility and recognition related to Muslim communities in the Swiss context.

Keywords

• Islam in Switzerland – Public sphere – Recognition – Visibility