The inauguration ceremony of the space dedicated to Islamic worship within the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro will be held on Monday 27 October at 3pm at the University Hospital of Germaneto – the first university in Italy to equip itself with a prayer area reserved for the faithful of the Islamic religion. The worship space was created inside the Biosciences Building after the Agreement stipulated between the UMG and the “Dar Assalam Odv” Association.
But the news provoked a reaction from the League, with Rossano Sasso, group leader in the Culture, Science, University and Education commission of the Chamber of Deputies. “It is the first sensational case in Italy and it is, in my opinion, a further dangerous step towards the Islamization of our society. There are those who justify the event by citing reasons of opportunity: in this way further students of Muslim faith would be attracted. However, instead of improving the educational offer and offering more services to Italian students, the University of Catanzaro which evidently has no problems with overcrowding in the classrooms allocates square meters to the Friday sermon of the imam and his five daily prayers, because this is what the agreement provides.”
«It seems that behind this agreement – he continues – and I hope not there is the blessing of the local ecclesiastical hierarchies, in the name of interreligious dialogue and inclusion. Inclusion with a religion that considers us infidels, that persecutes homosexuals, that has not entered into agreements with the State and that considers women an inferior being. And speaking of women: what will happen to female students? Will we witness the paradox whereby they will be able to attend lessons together with their male colleagues, but if they want to pray in the mosque they will be segregated in special spaces? But are we really willing to give up our identity even in a sacred environment such as a university symbol of freedom, development and research to give space to a religion that contrasts with our principles. I will submit, on behalf of the League, – he concludes – an immediate parliamentary question to Minister Bernini. This, once again, is not integration: it is submission.”