Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti and Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa

:: Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti received Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Mohammed Al-Issa and his accompanying delegation in Rome on Tuesday.

They explored a number of topics of common interest including citizenship and positive integration with the promotion of the right of religious freedom guaranteed by law, down to the official recognition of Islam as a religion.

At the outset of the meeting, the Italian minister welcomed the MWL chief and expressed appreciation for the role undertaken by the MWL in fighting extremism, unifying Muslim communities, and promoting moderation.

The Italian official expressed hope that the visit of the MWL chief to Italy will achieve goals that serve humanity, especially after his historic meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City.

For his part, Al-Issa expressed his appreciation to the Italian minister for his concern over the MWL’s role and stressed the MWL’s keenness to spread the values of tolerance and coexistence.

The MWL chief said among the goals pursued by the MWL is the positive integration of Muslim communities into their societies and the citizenship they have recognized and committed to.

This has been disseminated through awareness messages, conferences and seminars organized by the MWL in all countries of the world that affirm Islam as the religion of honesty and loyalty, he said.

Al-Issa also held a meeting with the director of Islamic affairs in Italy. They discussed a number of issues of common interest, including the legal status of many Islamic functions in Italy, cooperation with the MWL to unify the Muslim community, and how to boost representation of Muslims in Italy’s government and private institutions.