Around 700 Muslims from across Sicily are expected to gather in the southern city of Vittoria on Sunday to focus on the Muslim family and its role in society. Leaders from Italy’s largest Muslim organisation, the Union of Islamic Communities of Italy (ICOII) will attend the event, including president Ezzedin el-Zir and former president Nour Dachan.
“This is the seventh meeting that we have organised as Muslims in Sicily,” local Muslim, Abdel Hafith Kheit told Adnkronos International (AKI).
“The meeting will be open to the public and many non-Muslim Italians are expected to take part in the event.
“We are renewing our community’s commitment to cultural exchange and the integration of our community in Italian society.”
The mayor of Ragusa, Giuseppe Nicosia, will join special guest and television preacher Ragheb Sarjani who is also due to attend an event organised by the non-government organisation, Islamic Relief, in Milan on Saturday.
Several mosques are taking place in the event which will be closed by former Algerian industry minister, Abdel Qader Semmari.
There are between one million and 1.5 million Muslims in Italy and 130 mosques linked to the UCOII across the country.