Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi hosted an “Iftar” – the traditional evening meal which, during Ramadan, breaks the fast after sunset – at Villa Madama yesterday, 31 July. Minister Terzi’s guests were the Ambassadors of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference member states accredited to the Presidency of the Italian Republic and living in Rome; the Head of Mission of the League of Arab States, and representatives of Muslim communities in Italy.
This social occasion is now in its 8th year. The Foreign Minister views the Iftar as an opportunity to underscore the attention and respect that Italy devotes to Muslim countries, their regional organisations, and the development of intercultural and inter-faith dialogue with the Islamic world.
Of particular significance to Italy is the outlook for collaboration, in the United Nations context, with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The aim here is to promote the development of common initiatives to foster religious freedom and combat all forms of intolerance.
In their exchanges of views, Minister Terzi and the Arab countries’ Ambassadors devote ample space to the transition to democracy in the wake of the Arab Spring, a transition strongly supported by Italy, and the outlook for current regional crises.
