ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday said that there is a “compatibility problem” between Islamic culture and European values and rights. This statement was made during an event hosted by her right-wing, ultra-conservative Brothers of Italy party, which was attended by notable figures including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Meloni, in a statement captured on camera and shared by Radio Genoa, expressed her concerns about the relationship between Islamic culture and European values. “I believe that there is a problem of compatibility between Islamic culture and the values and rights of our civilization,” she said. Highlighting the financial backing of Islamic cultural centers in Italy, Meloni pointed out, “The Islamic cultural centers in Italy are financed by Saudi Arabia, where Sharia is in force. In Europe there is a very Islamization process distant from the values of our civilization.”
She also pointed out that most Islamic cultural centers in Italy receive funding from Saudi Arabia, a country she criticized for its strict Sharia-based laws. Sharia law, derived from the Quran and the Hadith, criminalizes apostasy and homosexuality.
In her remarks, Meloni said, “Sharia means lapidation for adultery and the death penalty for apostasy and homosexuality. I believe that these should be raised, which does not mean generalising on Islam. It means raising the problem that there is a process of Islamisation in Europe that is very distant from the values of our civilization.”
During his visit to Rome, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported Meloni’s approach to migration. Sunak’s own controversial plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced numerous legal challenges and criticism for being inhumane. Meloni has similarly been criticized for her efforts to restrict the operations of charity rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sunak emphasized the urgency of addressing migration issues, stating, “If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who actually need our help the most.” He added that making the deterrent credible would require a departure from consensus, a stance both he and Meloni are prepared to take.
Meanwhile, Musk stressed the significance of having children for the continuation of human civilization, noting the worrying trend of declining birth rates globally. “I really want to emphasize that it’s important to have children and to create the new generation. And as simple as it sounds, if people do not have children, there is no new generation,” he said.
Meloni, in a statement captured on camera and shared by Radio Genoa, expressed her concerns about the relationship between Islamic culture and European values. “I believe that there is a problem of compatibility between Islamic culture and the values and rights of our civilization,” she said. Highlighting the financial backing of Islamic cultural centers in Italy, Meloni pointed out, “The Islamic cultural centers in Italy are financed by Saudi Arabia, where Sharia is in force. In Europe there is a very Islamization process distant from the values of our civilization.”
She also pointed out that most Islamic cultural centers in Italy receive funding from Saudi Arabia, a country she criticized for its strict Sharia-based laws. Sharia law, derived from the Quran and the Hadith, criminalizes apostasy and homosexuality.
In her remarks, Meloni said, “Sharia means lapidation for adultery and the death penalty for apostasy and homosexuality. I believe that these should be raised, which does not mean generalising on Islam. It means raising the problem that there is a process of Islamisation in Europe that is very distant from the values of our civilization.”
During his visit to Rome, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported Meloni’s approach to migration. Sunak’s own controversial plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda has faced numerous legal challenges and criticism for being inhumane. Meloni has similarly been criticized for her efforts to restrict the operations of charity rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sunak emphasized the urgency of addressing migration issues, stating, “If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who actually need our help the most.” He added that making the deterrent credible would require a departure from consensus, a stance both he and Meloni are prepared to take.
Meanwhile, Musk stressed the significance of having children for the continuation of human civilization, noting the worrying trend of declining birth rates globally. “I really want to emphasize that it’s important to have children and to create the new generation. And as simple as it sounds, if people do not have children, there is no new generation,” he said.