Ramadan in Italy

13/07/2011| IslamWeb

Muslims avail themselves of the coming of Ramadan to develop their religious feelings and perform various acts of worship during this virtuous month. Traditional meals are prepared in the month of fasting, for which the Muslim-run restaurants – especially the Arab ones – are especially famous.

Muslims attend the religious discourses organized by the Islamic centers in different mosques, and receive scholars from Arab countries such as Tunisia, who make special visits to non-Muslim countries in the month of Ramadan.

For both Italian Muslims and residents, this holy month is a good occasion to strengthen the ties between Muslims in the community, as well as between family members. Community Iftaar meals allow people to invite family and friends and are widespread in Italian society, which is well-known for strong family ties.

The Muslim community gathers in the main mosque of Rome, which is also frequented by women who come with their Ramadan dishes and sweets. This shows the simplicity and community spirit when having Iftaar. The vendors of traditional food and drink, also enjoyed by the Italians, spread their wares in the courtyard of the mosque.

The stores surrounding the mosque sell different kinds of dates and sweets, incense, traditional food and Arabic bread.

This atmosphere delights the Muslim visitors to the mosque and their families, and strengthens the feeling of intimacy among the Muslims regardless of their nationality. Many Muslims are eager to perform the Taraaweeh Prayer, recite the Quran and attend the religious lectures and sermons delivered before the Maghrib and after the ‘Ishaa’ prayers.

However, in recent times, Muslims have come to face difficulties in Italy in Ramadan, due to the strictness of the authorities regarding religious assemblies and the long distances between the mosque and the dwelling places of many Muslims, which makes it difficult for them to visit it. Furthermore, Italy has not yet recognized Islam as a religion like other religions, although it is the second most practiced religion after Catholicism there.