Emir Tahirovic (46) made national headlines as a “stubborn Muslim” and a “troublesome Muslim”. In the past, the Bosnian fought tooth and nail against the participation of his children in swimming lessons or school camps.
He also sued for his daughter’s right to wear a headscarf in school before the Federal Supreme Court. At the same time, Tahirovic, an unemployed chauffeur, left behind debts to social welfare in St. Margrethen SG with his family amounting to 450,000 francs. At his new place of residence in Embrach, Canton Zurich, too, the debts are apparently increasing again.
“I am treated like a vermin that they want to exterminate,” complains Emir Tahirovic before the Rheintal District Court in Altstätten Canton St. Gallen. The devout Muslim, together with his wife (40), has to answer for social welfare fraud, disobedience of official orders and multiple violations of his duties of care and upbringing.
Tahirovic sees himself as a victim of Swiss society and chooses martial words for his situation: “I have already lost many battles, but I hope in God that I will win this war in the end!” However, despite this moral exaltation, he is plagued by highly earthly problems.
In short: The Tahirovic family is said to have received legal aid from the “Islamic Central Council of Switzerland” (ICCS) in the amount of 5,000 Swiss francs in the headscarf dispute and not reported it to the social authorities. The same applies to 14,000 Swiss francs in fines which the couple is said to have paid with donations from friends, relatives and a Bosnian mosque women’s group. Emir Tahirovic is also said to have invested several rents paid by the social welfare office with the agreement of the landlord, who is also his father, in his “fight”.
Emir Tahirovic does not deny the accusations in principle, but claims to have had no other choice to avoid ending up in prison. “The sentences were disproportionately high. I was driven into a corner like a wild animal,” he is convinced. After all, he was only supposed to stand up for his children and their faith.
For this reason, the father of five must now also answer for his offences. In 2016, the Bosnian, who had two previous convictions for similar offences, refused to allow his eldest daughter to attend the compulsory school camp and swimming and sports lessons. Instead, he insisted on a substitute programme and special solutions. One of his sons was also not allowed to go swimming with his friends.
Emir Tahirovic, on the other hand, is convinced: “Things like mixed swimming are not Islamic, which we opposed at the time. We wanted to take legal action, but later gave in.” He has since given in and given up, although he cannot understand the rules and regulations.
“I find these laws racist and discriminatory. Maybe sexist too, because they were only imposed on Muslims. I just wanted to fight for equal rights,” Tahirovic said. “We are not seen as full citizens. In this country, if you are not Christian or Jewish, you have to adapt,” he adds.
Because he has several previous convictions, the public prosecutor’s office in St. Gallen is demanding an unconditional prison sentence of 12 months for Emir Tahirovic, with his wife’s sentence to be suspended. Afterwards, the couple is to be expelled from the country for ten years.
The troublesome Muslim is only half-heartedly resisting this prospect. He wants to stay in Switzerland for the sake of his family. But: “I myself don’t see my future here, I’m not taken seriously. And that, although I am more democratic than most people here!”
A decision by the Rheintal District Court is still pending.