Students could be fined $5,000 for refusing to violate religious beliefs

Students in Switzerland are being told their religious beliefs do not trump nationwide custom, and a violation could cost up to $5,000.

Two male Muslim students could have to pay the fine if they refuse to shake the hand of their female teacher, a practice they say violates their religion. The brothers are from Syria and requested an exemption, which school authorities initially granted. It compromised by agreeing that the boys would not be required to shake anyone’s hand.

“They are no longer allowed to shake the hand of any teacher, male or female," the school’s headmaster Jurg Lauener told Swiss-German broadcaster SRF. "For us, that addresses the question of discrimination.”

But the issue stirred nationwide controversy, with the Swiss Justice Minister Simoetta Sommaruga saying that religious freedom was not reason for exemption of the handshake, which she said was “part of our culture.”

On Wednesday regional education authorities deemed the customary handshake to be more important than the religious concerns.

"The public interest with respect to equality between men and women and the integration of foreigners significantly outweighs the freedom of conscience (freedom of religion) of the students," authorities said in a statement. "The social gesture of handshake is important for the employability of the students in their later professional lives."

Many Muslims treat the handshake as a customary aspect of Swiss society and do not object to shaking the hand of someone of the opposite sex. The president of Federation of Islamic Organizations in Switzerland, Montassar Ben Mrad, asked students and parents upset by the incident to reflect on the disagreement.

“Can the denial of shaking hands be more important than the Islamic commandment of mutual respect?" said Ben Mrad.

This story was originally published May 25, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Students could be fined $5,000 for refusing to violate religious beliefs."