Feb 23 • 08:15 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

"There is no mosque but we hear the muezzin". The case in Forlì during Ramadan

In Forlì, Italy, residents have been disturbed by the call to prayer from a private residence during Ramadan, despite the lack of an official mosque or prayer space.

In the town of Forlì, located in the Appennine region of Italy, there has been significant contention regarding the Islamic call to prayer, known as the muezzin. Despite not having an official mosque or authorized prayer space, a private residence has decided to broadcast the call to prayer for local Muslims during the Ramadan period. The set times for the call have disrupted the serene atmosphere of the local community, eliciting complaints from various residents who are taken aback by this occurrence.

Local authorities, including Luca Bartolini, an official from the Brothers of Italy party and the municipality's security advisor, have expressed concern over this situation. Bartolini underscored that while freedom of religion is a fundamental right, the manner in which it is being exercised here—through loud public broadcasts from a private property—poses issues regarding community harmony and respect for local sentiments. His statement reflects a broader apprehension about maintaining a balance between religious expression and local societal norms.

This situation in Forlì raises questions about the integration of religious communities within predominantly Christian contexts in Italy. The absence of established Islamic places of worship can lead to misunderstandings and tensions between residents and religious minorities, emphasizing the need for dialogue and potentially more inclusive policies that accommodate diverse religious practices in public spaces.

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