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Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni believes Islam and Europe have a 'compatibility' issue. Here's why

Debodinna ChakrabortyDecember 18, 2023 | 12:49 IST

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stirred a controversy by saying that there is a "compatibility problem" between Islamic culture and European values during an event organised by her Brothers of Italy party.

Her comments were made on Sunday, December 17, during a political festival organized by her party in Rome, which was attended by UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and billionaire Elon Musk.

What did she say?

  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed concerns regarding the compatibility issue between Islamic culture and European values at an event hosted by her right-wing, ultra-conservative party.

"I believe there is a problem of compatibility between Islamic culture or a certain interpretation of Islamic culture and the rights and values of our civilisation,"
- Italy PM Georgia Meloni during the event.
  • She highlighted concerns about the financial backing of Islamic cultural centers in Italy and criticized Saudi Arabia for its strict Sharia-based laws.
  • UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported Meloni's approach to migration, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the compatibility issue.
"It does not escape my mind that most of the Islamic cultural centres in Italy are financed by Saudi Arabia." 
- Italy PM Georgia Meloni during the event

Meloni goes after Saudi Arabia

  • Meloni criticised Saudi Arabia's strict Sharia law, which deems apostasy and homosexuality as crimes.
  • Sharia, or Islamic law, comprises a set of principles rooted in the Quran and Hadith, the primary religious texts of Islam.
"Sharia means lapidation for adultery and the death penalty for apostasy and homosexuality. I believe that these should be raised, which does not mean generalising on Islam. It means raising the problem that there is a process of Islamisation in Europe that is very distant from the values of our civilisation,"
- said Meloni during the event.
  • At the event, Rishi Sunak talked about making global changes to the asylum system. He also warned that a growing number of refugees could 'overwhelm' parts of Europe.
  • Even prior to these remarks, Meloni faced criticism for her efforts to restrict the operations of humanitarian rescue vessels in the Mediterranean.
Last updated: December 18, 2023 | 12:49
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