over here. It’s largely due to the lifestyle they learn from childhood, which enables them to eliminate stress and to do without the kind of things that poison our systems. We westerns have lost so much of the spiritual dimension of our lives. It’s as though we’ve fallen into a deep sleep. We’re living in a world that is so empty- it’s very frightening to contemplate.” Like most Italians, Leccesi was brought up a Roman Catholic, but for years he felt that something was missing from his life. He says, “When I read the Bible, I totally agreed with everything it said, but I saw that practice was very different from the theory. People didn’t behave in a way that did (the bible) justice”, he said. A series of visits to the Naples mosques, together with the Italian friend who had already converted to the Islamic faith, convinced Leccesi that becoming a Muslimwould give himwhat he defines as “the something extra” that he was looking for. His friends were skeptical at first. “It was quite hard at the beginning. People were upset because it seemed such a strange thing to do. To them, it was a step into the unknown. Some of my more intelligent friends looked at me with a sort of admiration, even though they still thought I was a bit crazy,” said Leccesi. His wife found the decision hard to accept at first. For a start, she had to get used to calling the man she married as Franco by his new name of Omar. “Now, she sometimes calls me Franco and sometimes Omar, though I really don’t mind which,” said Leccesi. “You can’t force people to believe the things you do, and I’ve never tried with her, but even she is showing more interest than she once did. You could now describe her as a sympathizer.” More to the point, Muslims account for 36.5 percent of the 1.5 million immigrants in Italy and Islam has overtaken Catholicism, at 27.4 percent, as the largest religious group among newcomers. Perhaps here more than elsewhere, the crossover questions of immigration and religion are vexing a nation where St. Peter’s Basilica and Europe’s largest mosque are just a city bus ride apart. Magdi Allam, who covers immigration and Muslim issues for the newspaper La Repubblica, said Italy has a wide mix of Muslims that mirrors the diversity of the faith around the world: There are some 10,000 Italian-born converts, a largely moderate flock from Morocco, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, and vast numbers of arrivals from Albania. The Muslim community has not received official government recognition - bestowed on an array of smaller faiths, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, and Buddhists - that would guarantee state-approved religious education, finance mosques and associations, and legalize Muslim marriage rites. The government grants official recognition to other religions under a 1984 modification of the Concordat, an agreement between the Italian state and the Vatican signed in 1929 to give special status to Roman Catholicism. Native-born converts, the foreign embassies of Morocco and Saudi Arabia - whose royal family largely financed the building of the mammoth mosque in Rome - and other Muslim groups have been bickering for more than two years over who will negotiate the terms of the agreement. Once these differences are resolved, the Italian brand of Islam can play a major role in the religion’s future across the globe, said Hamza Roberto Piccardo, who has been a Muslim since 1984. “In no country in Europe has there been such a rapid growth,” said Piccardo, adding that the number of mosques and Islamic cultural centers has gone from 12 to 400 in the past 16 years. “Italy is the bridge between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe that make for a particular kind of Islam here.” But as the presence expands, so does the possibility for conflict. Piccardo said “Islamaphobia” is part of a Western penchant to find new enemies in the post-Cold War world. But Piccardo concedes that Italy’s history raises the stakes. “The idea of Christianity is dominant here,” said Piccardo, who concurs with the church’s effort to dissuade intermarriage. “We are a family: Jews, Christians and Muslims; the problems within a family are always more difficult.” Tony Blair Calls on Britain to Reach Out for More Understanding of Islam ”There is a lot of misunderstanding about Islam. It is a deeply reflective, peaceful, a very beautiful religious faith,” stated British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in an interview with The Muslim News, a United Kingdom based newspaper. The Prime Minister stated that he “owns two copies of the Quran and carries one with him whenever he can,” a habit he picked up from Chelsea Clinton. He also expressed his respect for Islam by saying that he “draws inspiration from it. If you read the Qur’an, it is so clear, the concept of love and fellowship as the guiding spirits of humanity.” The public statements made by the Prime Minister illustrating his appreciation of Islam, and his call for the necessity of Britain to “ reach out and build greater understanding of what Islam is and means and the values that underpin it,” are an illustration of the growing recognition of Islam. Mr. Blair also predicted that there would be more Muslim Members of Parliament in the next election. In fact he said that he would be, “very surprised if the Labour Party didn’t have any Muslim candidates standing in winnable seats in the next election.” This interview with The Muslim News and Mr. Blair’s words of praise came after Britain sent the first ever official, British Hajj Delegation to offer consular assistance to British pilgrims. Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, who was nominated by Blair and became the first ever Muslim in the House of Lords, headed the Hajj Delegation. “The acknowledgment by the British government of its Muslim citizens is greatly appreciated and respected by the American Muslim community. We look for the increased inclusion of Muslims in public affairs and a more proactive role in society,” states Aly Abuzaakouk, Executive Director of the American Muslim Council. Demolisher of Babri Masjid Accepts Islam Ayodhya, India - Shive Prasad is a resident of Faisabad, where Ayodhya is situated. He was given the responsibility to guide four thousand Kar Sevak in the demolition of the Babri mosque.It was he who trained four thousand people on how to carry out the demolition. His whole family was actively involved in demolishing the Babri Masjid. Soon after the demolition of the mosque, Shive Prasad felt a depression in his heart. He had no peace of mind. He felt that he had committed a great sin. This event took place eight years ago. On Dec. 6, 1999 the same Shive Prasad was seeking forgiveness from Allah for his cruel act seven years back. He was fasting (non-obligatory) and regretting the act with tears and was seeking forgiveness from Allah in his prayers. Yes! Shive Prasad has embraced Islam. He has changed his name to Mohammed Mustafa. In 1997, he went to the city of Sharjah in order to seek employment. But even at work his mind was restless. On Dec. 4, 1998 as he was walking along the streets of Sharjah, he happened to hear a speech in Hindi before the Friday prayer held in a mosque. When he heard the speech, he felt something was different. He wanted to listen to the complete speech. The message about Allah created a revolution in his mind. He continued to listen to such speeches thereafter. The revolution in his heart was completed. (All praise be to God!) He has forfeited the ignorance and chosen the righteous path. When Shive Prasad embraced Islam, he was driven out by his upset family members. Now, he is praying to God that his family member will choose the righteous path as he did. Mohammed Mustafa has received continuous threats to be killed if he returns to India. But Mohammed Mustafa says firmly that he will never turn away from Islam- the righteous path even if death comes his way. Having learnt 17 Surahs in the Holy Qur’an, he is anxious to complete the learning of the entire Quran. Mustafa’s ambition is to become a true Islamic preacher and bring more people to Islam. If Allah wishes, Mustafa’s ambition will be fulfilled. The very same hands which demolished the Babri Masjid will build it up again, InshAllah.
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