Italian Muslims demand legal recognition for Islam

By: Anjum Kermani

ROME, Italy: The government of Italy has been asked by the country’s Muslims to give legal recognition to Islam as one of the religions in the country and to the Muslims as a minority community as is done with other religious denominations, urging to accelerate matters in this regard.

Speaking at a seminar on Islam here, the head of the Islamic community in Italy told that Islam was the second largest religion, and appealed for equal rights and responsibilities for the Muslim community with other religious denominations. He said Muslims in Italy now number not less than one million.

Representatives of Italian Muslims at the seminar objected to the intimidation and the idea that there is a clash of civilizations, which are being promulgated by some political, media, and even government elements, and said the Muslims believe in dialogue and a calm approach that is free of emotions.

The CONCORDATO, which is singed by the government with religious denominations, systematizes the relations between them, and the community is granted all the rights that are guaranteed by the constitution. Such concordant have been signed with other religious minorities whose numbers are far less than the Muslims, yet the Muslims are denied this right, for reasons best known to those who opposing the idea.

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