5/12/2013
“In Palermo it is important support the mosaic of Arab and Islamic presence” said the mayor of Palermo, Leoluca Orlando, at the conference “Culture and Islamic Civilization in Italy” organized by the Muslim World League at the Mosque of Rome. The mayor also reiterated the willingness of Palermo to support the construction of a mosque and an Islamic cultural center.
During the conference, Muhammad Saleh Al Ghamdi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador in Italy and chairman of the board of directors of the Islamic Cultural Center of Italy, said that “Italy is a beautiful country, a friendly country with which we have excellent relations. In October we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia, ‘confirming’ the depth of the ties not only between political Arab and Islamic countries and Italy but also a relationship characterized by mutual dialogue and mutual understanding.”
Speaking of Sicily, the Saudi ambassador also said that “the seeds of love towards Palermo and Sicily sprout in my heart.” The event was also attended by, among others, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman in Italy, Fareed Alkhotani, the World Muslim League and Izzedin Elzir, President of the Union of Islamic Communities in Italy.
At the end of the speeches, Mayor Orlando received the gift of a copy of the Koran, “which” he said “will be housed in the future Islamic Cultural Center of Palermo.”
