L’islam in Italia

The Italian Islamic community numbers three hundred million persons including those coming from Muslim countries, irregular immigrants and converts. After bringing details of the situation to light, the article examines the composition of the sphere of Muslim associations which represent, however, only a minority of Italian Muslims. Most, in fact, find themselves in mosques without feeling the need to be more widely represented or, due to logistical problems or by choice, they are not part of the realm of mosques and associations and do not feel they are represented by them. Thus, rather than being static or unmodifiable, the Italian Islamic community is involved in an extremely rapid process of transformation, as is the case in the rest of Europe. At the same time it is experiencing a substantial degree of integration (in school and work environments and associations), it is also the focus of a hostile perception bias conveyed, above all, by the media. Lastly, the essay furnishes some examples of instances where honour is accorded to the Islamic minority, a precondition for removing the poison from current debate and assuming a constructive, proactive attitude.