Muslims in Europe: - International Institute - University of Michigan

The largest Muslim organisation is UCOII (Union of Islamic Communities in Italy), a federation of about 50
mosques across the country. The UCOII has a network all over Europe and supports an “international Muslim
brotherhood.” It has sought recognition from the European Parliament as a confessional minority in Europe that
supports “not individual but collective integration.”
The Centro Culturale Islamico (Islamic Cultural Centre) is based in Rome. The Centre has played a leading role in
the construction of the most important mosque in Italy. Its Board is largely composed of the ambassadors of Islamic
States. Besides serving as a spiritual and social focal point, organising celebrations of religious holidays and
observance of other religious rites, the Centre plays an important educational role. It provides Arabic language
classes and religious instruction and has an extensive library on Islamic history, culture and contemporary affairs.
The Association of Italian Muslims (AMI) and Coreis are smaller organisations, composed predominantly of Italian
citizens who have converted to Islam; both have pledged to guarantee non-fundamentalism if a State agreement
were to be concluded with them. Both organisations are self-financed, and actively promote inter-culturalism and
tolerance.
These organizations have competed with each other and with other organizations for the right to represent the
Muslim community.
Security, Immigration and Anti Terrorism Issues
Italy has ratified the principal international legal instruments for combating discrimination and protecting minority
rights.
The rights of Muslims who are Italian citizens are regulated by the legislation that applies to all citizens. The legal
status of immigrants who do not have Italian citizenship is regulated by the Law on Immigration and the Legal
Status of Foreigners Costituzione della Repubblica Italiana, approved by the Constitutional Assembly December
1947 and published in the Official Gazette of 27 December 1947, N. 298, Art. 80. (Hereafter, “Constitution.”) In
some cases, more favorable treatment of immigrants has been justified on the basis of international treaty.
The Constitution stipulates equality under the law and equal social status without distinction as to sex, race,
language, religion, political opinions, and personal or social conditions for all citizens. Moreover, the Constitutional
Court has confirmed that “equality under the law” applies to non-citizens (including illegal immigrants) as well.
Italian courts have proven willing to apply anti-discrimination provisions in practice. Constitutional antidiscrimination
provisions are complemented by Law 286/98, which contains a detailed definition of direct and
indirect discrimination, and provides for a simplified procedure for filing complaints. In cases involving allegations
of discrimination against employers by employees, the complainant may use statistical data attesting a difference in
the hiring or firing of workers to prove discrimination. Courts have imposed sanctions on public authorities and
private individuals found guilty of discrimination. The anti-discrimination provisions of Law 286/98 (which
otherwise applies primarily to immigrants) are explicitly extended to Italian citizens as well.
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