This Swiss elected official is not “a poor defenseless creature”

Suffering from a speech deficit, Zurich national councilor Islam Alijaj (PS) aspires to nothing less than a disability revolution under the Federal Dome. For this, he can count on his alertness, among other things.

Reto Wattenhofer / ch media

If humanity can go to the moon, why shouldn't a person with a speech disability join the National Council? Islam Alijaj has asked himself this question for years. He then did what he has always done since being placed against his will in a specialized school: not to let himself be discouraged and to move forward.

The Zurich resident entered Parliament in 2023 under the socialist banner. First for him during this session: he spoke as committee spokesperson.

However, Islam Alijaj is not a member of the commission in question. But the theme then discussed was of particular importance to him.

He therefore tested the waters with a party colleague. “I really wanted to bring this matter to the National Council”he confides.

Personal experience

The revision of the law on disability insurance is close to his heart. For people with disabilities, it is a «game changer»believes the elected socialist. The objective: to better support children with severe autism spectrum disorders from preschool age.

Alijaj uses a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. This is an injury that makes it difficult to control muscles and movements.

Her story is like a 21st century fairy tale. Alijaj arrived in Switzerland from Kosovo at the age of one. He completed his entire education in a specialized establishment. He never got discouraged and became the co-founder of the start-up Monitoris.ai, active in the field of AI. He is married and has two children.

A few hours before representing the Commission, the Zurich resident appeared relaxed. No trace of nervousness. “I master the subject,” he says. He has made the fight against the inequalities suffered by disabled people his hobby horse. With others, he works at the head of the cross-party committee for the “Inclusion” initiative. The text requests a right to personal and technical assistance.

Obstaclesin federal Bern

Islam Alijaj must also receive help to do politics “at eye level” at the Federal Palace. It starts with a wheelchair, which is impractical in the narrow room of the National Council.

The chosen one does not control his muscles or his tongue correctly. He speaks indistinctly. His assistant therefore does not let go of him one step. Speaking for a long time requires intense effort, which complicates contact with the media. He nonetheless remains an attentive listener who guesses questions before they are asked.

The 38-year-old believes he has long been underestimated:

Listening to him, this is instantly confirmed. Islam Alijaj is a true politician with ambitions. He aspires to nothing less than a revolution in disability policy. “I am not a poor defenseless creature, but a man of power like everyone else here in Parliament,” he says of himself.

While for many, the theme remains a niche, he is working behind the scenes to put in place a cross-party alliance to reform the education system. The first talks with the teachers' association and other influential actors have already taken place. “If we don't get inclusion in education, then we can just give up.” He achieved initial partial success with early intervention for autistic children.

“An industry that weighs billion»

Alijaj takes a harsh look at the current system. “We, the disabled, are the product of a billion-dollar industry that lives on the credit of the state.” According to him, his path was all mapped out: employed for life in a sheltered workshop, on the hook for subsidies.

For Alijaj, it is now necessary to adapt the children's living environment and fully exploit their potential: “My path must become widespread,” he insists.

(French adaptation: Valentine Zenker)

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