Geneva

Known as the city of peace, Geneva truly is a pearl. Home to the Headquarters of the World Trade Organisation and the Red Cross, Geneva is also home to the adventurous traveller with an eye for quality and as an added incentive, beautifully accommodates the Muslim traveller with a variety of Halal friendly options, including Halal restaurants, nearby Masjids and lots of family friendly activities.

History

The History of Geneva dates from before the Roman occupation in the second century BC. Now the principal French-speaking city of Switzerland, Geneva was an independent city state from the Middle Ages until the end of the 18th century.

Geneva today is a product of the best of its history, drawing on its many cultural influences and providing a refuge of peace that serves as a model for the rest of the world.

Islam was virtually absent from Switzerland until the 20th century. It emerged with the beginning of significant immigration to Europe, after World War II. The first mosque was built in Zürich in 1963 by the Ahmadiyya community.

Muslim presence during the 1950s and 1960s was mostly due to the presence of international diplomats and Saudi tourists in Geneva which is a real hub for tourism due to it’s incredible Halal friendliness.

Halal Food

Surprisingly enough, Geneva has a wonderful and varied selection of Halal food. Here’s a verified list of Halal restaurants in Geneva

There are a wonderful selection of Halal restaurants in the bustling city of Geneva

Here are a great selection for your hungry consideration 🙂

ARABESQUE
Quai Wilson 47
1201 Geneva
+41 22 906 67 63

Al DAR
Rue de la Mairie 4
1207 Eaux-Vives
+41 22 700 50 07

BAROUSH
Carrefour de Rive 1
1207 Genève
+41 22 849 59 59

CHEZ FOUAD
Avenue Pictect de Richemond 7
1207 Genève
+41 22 700 99 76

CHEZ SAMI
Rue de Fribourg 11
1201 Genève
+41 22 901 03 33

DIWANE
Rue de Zurich 6
1201 Genève
+41 22 732 73 91

EL MEKTOUB
Rue Chaponnière 5
1201 Geneva
+41 22 738 70 31

KENITRA
Rue Ancienne 23
1227 Carouge
+41 22 300 33 36

MAMOUNIA
Avenue de Frontenex 3
1207 Genève
+41 22 736 27 27

ROYAL ORIENTAL
Avenue Louis-Casaï 60
1216 Cointrin-Genève
+41 22 788 87 87

SALSABEEL
Avenue de France 27
1202 Geneva
+41 22 734 94 04

YOMO LOUNGE
Rue Pierre-Fatio 1
1204 Geneva
+41 22 735 30 76

Pictures courtesy of ©GeneveTourisme

Attractions

Geneva is home to the headquarters of 34 international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation and the International Committee of the Red Cross. In all, some 29,500 international diplomats and civil servants are based in the city, of whom around 2,300 staff are working for 250 non-governmental organisations. Around 9,500 staff work for the United Nations family in Geneva, which is the largest concentration of UN personnel in the world. Above all, there are 174 states represented by permanent diplomatic missions to the UN, which gave it the “International Geneva” nickname.

Geneva certainly isn’t short on wonderful attractions. To make your visit that little bit more enjoyable, we’ve earmarked the top 3 must see attractions.

Geneva Tour Cruise

One hour to admire Mont-Blanc, the UN and the shores of Lake Geneva from another angle.

A one-hour cruise for a great getaway! Sail out from the harbour and discover the beautiful shores of Geneva. From the “Pierres du Niton” to the “Pointe à la Bise”, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled view of Mont-Blanc, monuments, famous villas, the UN as well as parks and gardens.

The Botanical timekeeper – flower clock

Let “Flower Power” take you away!

The clock, situated at a corner of the Jardin Anglais, was created for the first time in 1955 and contains about 6,500 flowers and plants. The floral arrangements change according to the season. The flower clock is not only pretty, it also tells the time with Swiss precision – the time you see is transmitted by satellite. Another important detail – the seconds-hand is 2.5 metres long, the world’s longest!

Bastions Park

Next to the Place de Neuve, the Parc des Bastions offers a delightful promenade lined with trees, where you can walk from one beautiful monument to another.

This lush park below the Old Town is situated in the heart of the city. It is here that Geneva created its first botanical garden. In and around the Parc des Bastions you will find the world-renowned Reformation Wall and the leading reformers, the Palais Eynard, seat of the city government, and the old university building with its library. The former bandstand is now a restaurant. On its side, a giant checkers game and chessboard attract players and spectators alike.

For more attractions in Geneva, please click here

1200 year old Quran in Geneva

A rare & unique treat hidden in the city of Geneva

Opened in 1951, the Bibliotheca Bodmeriana was first and foremost a research library that welcomed scholars who wanted to do work on the collection. Even if Martin Bodmer had always had the idea of founding a museum to be able to share with the general public the many treasures he had amassed, it was only in 1999 that steps were finally taken to build a true exhibition venue equal to what one should expect for a visit to the Foundation. In November 2003, the architect Mario Botta inaugurated his architectural masterpiece before a crowd of several thousand. But perhaps one of the most visited and famous pieces in this glorious museum is the 1200 old Quran that is currently displayed here. Who would have thought that Geneva of all places would be home to such a beautiful and rare copy of the Quran? Below is the actual 9 century Arabic manuscript of the Quran on parchment. The Quran revealed by the Archangel Gabriel to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and was organised in 114 Surahs and its text was fixed in 647 by the 3rd Caliph of Islam, Uthman Ibn Affan. This is an early collection of the Hadith which were gathered by a famous Sunni theologian and the most famous collector of Hadith, Iman Bukhari. This collection is from 1456 and shows the Arabic manuscript on paper. Hadiths are sentences of the Prophet or anecdotes of his life reported by his companions. After the Quran, this Moral and edifying collection is the most reliable source on Mohammed and Islam. Pictures supplied by Bodman Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland

Mosques

Geneva is also home to Switzerland’s biggest Masjid called ‘The Geneva Mosque’

The mosque was inaugurated by the Saudi Arabian King Khalid ibn Abd al-Aziz and President of the Swiss Confederation Willi Ritschard, and is the largest mosque in Switzerland. The building has space for 1,500 worshippers and women are welcome too!

The entrance of the Masjid is via a beautiful large atrium full of natural light and the Masjid welcomes over 100,000 international visitors each year! Non Muslims are also welcome and many of the schools in Geneva regularly take young children to visit.

Below are a selection of how this truly wonderful Masjid looks like within.