Nicole Sejk was for the army in Kosovo – she condemns SVP incitement: “There was never any trouble in the army because of a Muslim prayer”

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The picture spoke. Men in camouflage suits, members of the Swiss army, prayed towards Mecca last week. The reason for the first field prayer was the Bayram Festival of Sacrifice. It was the first time that an army chaplain of Muslim background rolled out the prayer rug.

Shortly afterwards, the SVP went all out on Twitter. And asked, “Now what? Child marriages, Sharia courts, stoning?” She caused a shit storm.

Because the political competition, the Federal Commission against Racism (EKR) and the Association for Minorities in Switzerland (GMS), shot back. They condemned the racist incitement and pointed out that soldiers are allowed to practice their religion – regardless of whether they are Christian, Muslim, Jewish or belong to any other religion.

«Cheap election campaign»

Nicole Sejk (33) from Bern also condemned the SVP tweet. “This is cheap campaigning. The party that is so strong behind the constitution is trying to undermine the freedom of religion that all Swiss citizens are entitled to,” she says.

Sejk knows what she’s talking about. In 2019, she did a six-month Kfor mission for Swisscoy in Kosovo and later completed the military police recruiting school in Sitten USA.

In both places she served alongside members of the military of various religious backgrounds. “That was never a problem, neither in Kosovo nor in Sitten. There was always room for all comrades to live out their individual beliefs,” she says.

“The service was never interrupted”

For example, in the winter of 2021, when she was just earning her sergeant rank and Switzerland went into second lockdown, she and her troops were completely confined to the barracks area until May.

She says: “We always had to give our people private time on the agenda. We have also provided a room for prayer for Muslim army members. There was never a problem with anyone because it didn’t disrupt the service.”

Stability and tranquility – also in Switzerland

On the contrary, she applauds the military for expanding the diversity of its army chaplains. It is important that military personnel promote a culture in which people treat each other with respect.

A subject that is also important to her as a politician. Sejk is on the board of the FDP Köniz BE and on the board of the Young Liberals of the Canton of Bern and would like to make the leap to the National Council for the FDP in the autumn. “I want to contribute to security, stability and peace – not only beyond the borders, but also in Switzerland.” (Okay)

Source:Blick