Association of Islamic Organizations in Zurich

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Association of Islamic Organizations in Zurich (VIOZ)

Overview
- The Association of Islamic Organizations in Zurich, known as VIOZ, is a federation of Islamic groups in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland.
- It was founded in 1995 and is the largest cantonal umbrella for Islamic organizations in the country.
- VIOZ brings together about 36 member organizations and helps coordinate more than 40 mosques in Zurich, representing a large majority of the area’s Islamic places of worship.
- It works with national bodies and local authorities and is a longtime partner of the city and canton to defend Muslims’ interests and help integrate Muslim communities.
- VIOZ collaborates with other religious and social groups to support interreligious dialogue in Zurich.

Mission and activities
- VIOZ aims to improve services for Muslims and their communities in Zurich. For example, it has helped arrange Muslim graves in Zurich and Winterthur and provides training for volunteer mosque guides to ensure quality mosque tours.
- It organizes annual events like the Day of Open Mosques and offers year‑round mosque tours for those interested.
- With support from the canton, VIOZ started a two‑year pilot project for Muslim spiritual care services (MNFS) in 2014, including a 24‑hour emergency number and trained Muslim caretakers for emergencies.
- In 2016, VIOZ partnered with the Swiss government on a pilot program for Muslim pastoral care in federal asylum centers. The government handles care during the pilot, with selection criteria set by authorities.
- In 2017, Zurich’s government committed to working with formally unrecognized religious communities, and Switzerland’s national plan to prevent radicalization included Muslim spiritual care. The canton further developed education and training for Muslim care takers.
- In 2018, Zurich announced Muslim spiritual care services for public hospitals and emergency services (MSNS) as a three‑year pilot, with training organized by the University of Fribourg. MSNS is a collaboration between the canton, recognized churches, and VIOZ.
- Beyond care, VIOZ also promotes environmental awareness and has published an environmental brochure for Muslim communities.
- The association’s broader goals include creating Muslim graveyards, pursuing a Central Zurich Mosque, and seeking official recognition as a public faith community. It also focuses on youth work, preventing extremism, and providing pastoral care in hospitals, prisons, and asylum centers.

Affiliates
- VIOZ brings together many affiliated groups. Examples include Islamische Gemeinschaft Zürich (SIGZ), Bosniak and Albanian Islamic communities, Turkish associations, and other Muslim organizations in the region. The list is long and covers diverse communities in the Zurich area.

Intercultural and religious cooperation
- Cantonal cooperation (Zurich): VIOZ participates in interreligious work at the cantonal level, including groups and forums that promote dialogue among different faiths.
- National cooperation: VIOZ is connected with national bodies and initiatives that bring together various religious communities across Switzerland to collaborate on shared goals.

External link
- Official website: vioz.ch

In short, VIOZ is Zurich’s main umbrella group for Muslim organizations, coordinating many communities to support interfaith dialogue, provide services and care, promote education and youth work, and work with authorities to shape the future of Islam in the canton.