A Muslim politician from Switzerland, Sanija Ameti, shared bullet-riddled photos of Our Lady and the Child Jesus on Instagram. After criticism, she deleted the post and apologized.
Photo: bistum-chur.ch
Newsroom (10/09/2024 19:44, Gaudium Press) Sanija Ameti, a Muslim, was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from where she migrated to Switzerland with her family as a refugee in 1995 at the age of three. Known for her political activities in the Liberal Green Party, Sanija used the image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus for target practice. She then posted a photo of herself riddled with bullet holes on Instagram.
The members of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference issued a statement vehemently repudiating such conduct. “The use of the image not only disregards the religious representation of the Mother of God, clearly evidenced by the photo, but also demonstrates violence and disrespect for human dignity.”
“Like many Catholics, the Swiss bishops also feel hurt in their religious sensitivities. They are grateful for Sanija Ameti’s letter to the Bishop of Chur, Joseph Maria Bonnemain, in which she asks the Catholic community for forgiveness. However, the bishops are obliged to publicly express their deep disapproval. In our society, it remains crucial that culture and education actively contribute to respect for the human person and their religious convictions.”
A representative of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party has filed a criminal complaint against Sanija Ameti for violating freedom of religion and worship. After the controversy, she deleted the photos from Instagram and explained that, during a shooting exercise, she took an art catalog and randomly selected an icon of Our Lady and the Child Jesus, without paying attention to its religious meaning. Sanija then retracted her statement and apologized, calling her attitude “stupid”. She also tendered her resignation from the leadership of the Liberal Green Party.
Compiled by Dominic Joseph
Related Images:
