Muslims prayed near the Colosseum to protest the authorities' decision to close mosques in Rome

Muslims prayed near the Colosseum to protest the authorities' decision to close mosques in Rome


Hundreds of Muslims prayed next to the Colosseum of Rome today to protest against the closure decision of improvised mosques and asking the Italian authorities to protect their religious rights.

The crowd knelt in prayer mats and tarpaulins on the sidewalk a few meters from the ancient monument. Some were holding placards which read: "peace" and "open mosques".

At least 1.6 million Muslims live in Italy, but there are very few mosques operating with permission of the authorities.

Most praying in homes and Islamic cultural centers; a development that as some politicians of the right support will make more difficult the work of supervision, thus increasing the risk of radicalization, especially after the attacks jihadists in Europe.

Interior Minister Angelina Alfano said in August that "mini shrines located in parking lots" should not be allowed.

The Dhuumcatu Association organization, which organized today's protest, stated that the police have closed the three makeshift mosques in Rome in recent months.

The Sikntir Boulmpoul, a 41 year old Italian citizen originally from Bangladesh, living in Rome in the last 16 years, complained that the mosque had helped to create in 2012 ended in September.

"The Friday prayer is very important for us so far have not come to the Coliseum. Otherwise, where else can we pray? "He said.

The politician Georgia Mellon, the conservative party Brothers of Italy, which ranked third in municipal elections this year, asked Muslims being forced to pray in Italian.

The organization Dhuumcatu Association insists that there should be clearer rules in creating mosques.

"We are tired of the criminalization of our worship" pointed to the account of the social networking site Facebook.

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