The Community of the Arab World in Italy made an appeal to Pope Francis for an interreligious prayer on September 11, on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center in 2001, which is celebrated the day before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
“We ask Italy's mosques to open the door to Christian and lay visitors between 5 pm and 8 pm to share with them this holiday as an invitation for all religions to peace and mutual knowledge. Over 35,000 Italians are supporting our call,” said the president of the Community of the Arab World in Italy Foad Aodi.
The project is a reverse edition of the “Muslims in church” event that took place last July 31 – a few days after 86-year-old Father Hamel was slaughtered in Rouen while celebrating mass – when over 23,000 Muslims prayed alongside with Christians for the victims of terrorism in several Italian churches.
“Now it is mosques' turn,” said Aodi. “We want to tear down the wall of fear using the power of dialogue.”
“Some provocations such as the ‘burkini case' are making room for some practical proposals like the creation of a register of Imams and the census of mosques,” added Aodi. “In line with this trend, we want to share the Eid al-Adha festival with anyone who supports our call.”
Source: italy24.ilsole24ore.com
