DDHK News, Italy - A mosque in the city of Rieti in the Lazio region of Italy has reportedly been damaged by irresponsible hands. The vandals stormed the Mosque of Peace, which is located 80 km from the capital city of Rome, on Sunday (16/3) local time, and damaged a number of properties in the Muslim place of worship.
“Apart from burning Alquran, the unknown people also stole the mosque cash. They also destroyed ornaments and calligraphy related to Islam in the mosque, "the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero was quoted as saying Republika Online from OnIslam.net (19 / 3).
The Mayor of Rieti is said to have called on all officials in his city to respond to this incident together. According to him, the destruction of the mosque was a form of provocation from those who wanted to destroy peace and tolerance in the city.
Italy has a Muslim population of about 1,7 million. According to data released by the local national statistics agency, Istat, as many as 20 of them are converts. Unfortunately, various attempts to introduce Islam more closely in Italy often face tough challenges.
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta's plan to set up a museum of Islamic art on the banks of the Grand Canal, Venice, even sparked angry reactions from the separatist Northern League. Not only that, the same group has also criticized the plan to build mosques in several regions in the country. (rol / onislam.net). *
