The launch event for the ‘Fact sheets on Islam’ took place at Palazzo Borromeo, organised by the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See, in collaboration with the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) and the Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies.
The meeting began with an official welcome address by the Ambassador of Italy to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto, followed by introductory remarks from Mons. Gaetano Castello and the Reverend Professor Wasim Salman.
This was followed by a panel discussion featuring His Eminence Cardinal Zuppi, President of the CEI, and four representatives of the Islamic communities in Italy: Dr Yassine Baradai, President of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy; Dr Alfonso Moretta, President of the Italian Islamic Religious Community; Dr Massimo Cozzolino of the Italian Islamic Confederation; and, finally, Dr Mustafa Cenap Aydin of the Centre for Dialogue.
The event was chaired by Father Giuliano Savina, Director of the National Office for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, and by Father Alberto Gastaldi, Director of the National Office for Education, Schools and Universities and of the National Service for the Teaching of the Catholic Faith.
These fact sheets, intended primarily for use in schools, are a valuable tool for fostering mutual understanding and respect between religions, whilst at the same time facilitating interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The sheets are, in fact, the result of a joint effort by Christian and Muslim scholars.
