Challenges faced in building mosques in Italy

A newly-published book, 'War on Mosques', reveals the discrimination faced by Islamic communities in Italy regarding their right to freely practice their religion, a right guaranteed under the Italian Constitution.

The author, Francesco Thierry, an information technology expert and Italian convert to Islam, analyzes how political tensions around mosque construction in Italy are deliberately incited by Islamophobic politicians across the spectrum aiming to undermine Muslim communities.

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  Book denounces war on mosques in Italy

  A recently released book condemns the challenges faced in building mosques in Italy amid growing hostility toward Islam.

In the absence of clear laws, the mosque issue in Italy exists in a legal vacuum.

Since Italy became a republic nearly 80 years ago, lawmakers from both the left and the right have intentionally avoided legislating on this matter, despite the Constitutional Court's affirmation of religious minorities’ rights to worship.

While some smaller religious groups have managed to establish places of worship, Muslims have largely been obstructed from doing so.

Francesco Tieri, Author

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We are here to say no, no to the creation of new mosques.

No more mosques until we implement new regulations for citizens' safety.

We want all sermons to be delivered in Italian, since we are in Italy.

Georgia Meloni, Current Italian Prime Minister

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made those assertions five years ago. Today, her government has proposed a draft law aimed at banning Muslim prayer spaces in places like garages and industrial warehouses.

It is nearly impossible to build new mosques or convert existing structures into mosques in Italy.

Muslims living in the country have been compelled to engage in what is often referred to as religious mimicry, transforming leisure centers into makeshift places of worship.

Francesco Tieri, Author

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  Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni sworn in as Italy’s PM

  Giorgia Meloni takes charge as Italy’s first female prime minister.

Many leaders of Islamic communities in Italy have voiced concerns regarding the legality of the Meloni government's draft law.

Over the past 20 years, Islamophobic narratives by politicians have been delivered in Italy through news reports, newspapers and talk shows.

In this context, mosques have often served a symbolic function in debates on the role of Muslims in Italy's public sphere.

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Since 2001 the prevailing public narrative about Muslims has been systematically manipulated by all political factions.

Today, mosques are targeted in Italy, not only as places of worship, but also as socially significant gathering spots.

This mirrors what is happening in Palestine, where mosques have been destroyed by the Israeli military as part of a deliberate strategy.

Antonello Sacchetti, Political Analyst

In Italy there are an estimated 1.5 million Muslims and about 1200 prayer halls. Of these, only four can be considered true mosques.

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