Italian Archbishop calling for construction of mosque

seized the opportunity to express his sympathy towards the Muslim community

At a conference last week organized by the local Muslim community, Abp. Matteo Maria Zuppi, recently appointed to head the archdiocese, seized the opportunity to express his sympathy towards the Muslim community by calling for a mosque to be built in Bologna.

Paraphrasing Pope Francis’ controversial remarks regarding Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his stance on immigration, Zuppi added, “Those who say they stand for security usually create more problems. To build walls only creates the illusion of security. Walls are not equivalent to security.”

He continued, “We shouldn’t be carried away by hateful speeches, like the comparison between Muslims and terrorists.” 

On the other hand, Hassan Samid, representative of Young Muslims of Ferrara, spoke warmly of the “interesting opening” from Zuppi, and used the occasion to ask for a mosque in the town of Ferrara, within the archdiocese of Bologna.