August 8, 2013
“I have asked my party to bring up this issue tomorrow (today, ed.) and to attend the ceremony for the end of Ramadan.” The deputy Khalid Chaouki, elected by the Pd, is a practicing Muslim, and this month has followed the fasting of Ramadan; he now asks his colleagues to join in the celebration. What’s more, he also proposes that the refreshment stalls have halal meat.
He will tell you the problems faced by Italians are part of his campaign…
“I know that what I say may seem like a provocation, but my intent is to open a debate on the perspective of our multi-religious society and this includes our Parliament.”
How was the month of Ramadan?
“Difficult for the pace of work that we have had. I was also excluded from the conviviality of my colleagues who celebrated here with refreshments. Here you risk getting served croquettes that should be vegetarian and instead contain ham…”
Yeah, because he does not eat pork …
“I think it will be important to open a discussion on how public places and institutions should ensure the opportunity for all to have food that fits into the laws of their respective religion.”
Then would he like meat to be butchered according to Islamic rites?
“I think it is a duty to guarantee all citizens the right to eat. Here for example we have a chaplain but I would like to speak an imam.”
Are you not afraid to start a controversy?
“We need to make changes to institutions in our society. Although there are many misconceptions about Islam: similar to the Catholic representatives who cast their votes according to their constituency, there are also Muslims who are secular legislators.”
