A proposal to turn the Commenda di Pre, a medieval palace in Genoa into an inter-faith prayer center for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, has run into opposition from local politicians stating that the Muslim worshippers are not welcome. Members of the anti-immigrant Northern League, said the plan was unacceptable, and regional councillor Francesco Bruzzone stated that Muslims had no business and showed a lack of respect for history by coming to the site – a hospital and hostel where pilgrims and crusaders gathered for mass before leaving for the Holy Land. The incident comes not long after a plan to build a mosque in Genoa was shut down, over the controversy of constructing a mosque with a minaret.
