Italy is predominantly Catholic, and it respects religious freedom and welcomes Muslim visitors. According to the latest information, major cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice have mosques and Islamic centers. Some tourist attractions offer prayer rooms, and many Italians are open-minded towards different cultures and religions.
Italy Muslim-friendly but its Prime Minister is not.
Islam in Italy has a long history dating back to the 9th century when Muslim forces occupied parts of southern Italy. Today, Islam is the second-largest religion in Italy after Christianity. The Muslim population in Italy is estimated to be around 2 million, making up about 3.5% of the total population. Most Muslims in Italy are immigrants or children of immigrants from countries like Morocco, Albania, Tunisia, and Bangladesh. There are also a growing number of Italian converts to Islam.
Italy is a welcoming country for Muslim visitors, offering safety and respect for religious practices. While traditional Italian cuisine isn’t entirely halal, halal food options are available, especially in larger cities. Muslims can enjoy their stay in Italy by being mindful of food choices and respecting local customs while most Italians will reciprocate with openness and hospitality.
Sadly, Italy PM Giorgia Meloni is ill-informed about Islam, spreads misinformation, hate, and fear of Islam and Muslims for political gain and she has no moral authority to lecture the world about Islam. She tells people what they want to hear and preys on their fears and bigotry. It is absolutely amazing that an Italian such as Meloni has such a short memory about where such prejudice leads.
PM Meloni's latest publicity stunt has touched a raw nerve with an idiotic and fallacious comment about
Islam at a political event held by the far-right Brothers of Italy in Rome where she reportedly said that "there is no place for Islamic culture in Europe" and that "Islam is not compatible with European values." She firmly maintains that there will be no tolerance for Sharia law in Italy — a law that tightly governs the lives of its main followers, advocating severe punishments such as the death penalty for adultery and the execution of those who engage in homosexual activities. She conveniently ignored that Jewish and Christian faiths stand about the very same subjects, which is no different than Islam. PM Meloni should be reminded that Muslim doctors are advised to care for LGBTQ patients with compassion just as they would for others.
Just like Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni hate Islam and Muslims with a passion and the reasons are that Islam strictly opposes alcohol, usury, and gambling, which are high sources of income for Western countries. Plus, both Meloni and Trump will bend backward to appease the Jewish lobbies in their respective countries.
Meloni spoke of previous visits to Israel, including to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, which she described as “a conscience-shaking experience.” Israel represents the only fully-fledged democracy in the broader Middle East and we defend without any reservations to its right to exist and live in security. I believe that the existence of the State of Israel is vital and Brothers of Italy will make every effort to invest in greater cooperation between our countries,” she said. Meloni did not make a peep about the Israeli genocide in Gaza and nothing about the ethnic cleansing or the use of forced starvation as a weapon of war. Nothing about the over 6,0000 innocent people who were shredded to peace of whom 2/3 were women and children.
When the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrant for Israel Crime Minister Netanyahu and his war minister, Signora Meloni said there were "many doubts for ICC's arrest warrant and it was not feasible to arrest." Basically, she said to the ICC, "Where to go!"
Meloni is now being investigated along with two government ministers for repatriating a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court in the Hague, according to AP Jan. 28, 2025 report. Meloni revealed that the investigation is over aiding and abetting Ossama al-Masri. She said her justice and interior ministers and an under-secretary are also targeted in the investigation.
Meloni’s government has been under fire from human rights groups and the ICC itself for releasing al-Masri on a technicality after he was arrested in the northern city of Turin on a warrant from the international court.
It is worth noting here that PM Meloni never made a peep after Israel murdered over 18,000 children in Gaza and has created what is now being called the largest orphan crisis in modern history. Some 39,384 Palestinian children have been left without one or both parents after more than 500 days of bombardment, according to official figures released ahead of Palestinian Child's Day on April 5.
Mahmoud El-Yousseph is a Palestinian freelancer for Islamicity.com and ColumbusFreepress.com. He can be reached at elyousseph6@yahoo.com.
"Reach out for those who ignored you, give to the one who deprived, and forgive those who oppressed you." ~ Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him)
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