Italian MP and Muslim women’s rights activist Souad Sbai has received the support of hundreds of moderate Moroccan immigrant and Muslim groups after she received threats in an Internet video message by an alleged Al-Qaeda supporter in Italy.
“In the last few months, we have seen an outbreak of aggressive, extremist and terroristic Islam which is particularly dangerous,” said a statement signed by numerous immigrant and Muslim associations in support of Sbai.
“To try and hit the PdL (People of Freedom) MP is the equivalent of hitting all of us. That is why today we want to express our solidarity, but make it known that we are all Souad Sbai.”
Souad Sbai, MP for the ruling conservative People of Freedom party, went to court in June to defend herself against death threats, after a ‘fatwa’ or religious edict was issued against her.
“The intention to intimidate, slander and put in danger Souad Sbai, represents an evident attack against all of us, Muslim moderates, who have been for years working for the assertion of a culture of dialogue,” said the statement.
Sbai is also president of the Moroccan Women’s Association in Italy.