Italy: a Muslim theologian invites families to enroll their children in Catholic religion classes to better understand the country where they are growing up

Enroll your children in Catholic religion classes to better understand the country where they are growing up: this is the advice addressed to Muslim families by theologian Adnane Mokrani. According to the Italian agency AgenSIR, he spoke on Wednesday October 21 in Rome, during the presentation of educational sheets devoted to Islam. For him, these teachings can help young Muslims understand Italian history and culture. Knowing Christianity better would also be a way of facilitating exchanges with their comrades of other beliefs. This recommendation remains personal and does not bind all Muslim organizations in the country.

The meeting was dedicated to Schede to understand Islamfact sheets developed by the Italian Episcopal Conference and the Pontifical Institute of Arab Studies and Islamology, with the participation of Muslim and Christian academics. Intended for teachers, they aim to present Islam in its diversity, beyond the political controversies and security issues which often occupy public debate. The two approaches come together: encouraging Muslim students to learn more about Christianity, while giving teachers resources to talk about Islam. Knowing the other is thus seen as a shared effort.

This proposition reminds us that discovering a religion does not mean adhering to it. Understanding the beliefs, history and traditions of your neighbors can help overcome prejudices and start a conversation. The school can offer this meeting space, where everyone gets to know each other, while respecting their convictions.