In Milan, a dinner celebrating the breaking of the fast during Ramadan has ignited a political debate, not only between opposing factions but also within the center-right coalition. The controversy began with a harsh critique from Member of the European Parliament Silvia Sardone of the Lega party, who accused the left of promoting a "submission to Islam" and harshly criticized events sponsored by the Municipality of Milan, which included communal gatherings with the Muslim community during Iftar.
Sardone particularly targeted the initiative organized by the Giovani Democratici in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, scheduled for the evening of March 25, 2025. She called it an event sponsored by Municipio 3 and condemned what she described as a climate of "permissiveness," where "Muslims in the city do whatever they want, amid illegal mosques, riots in the suburbs, and women's rights being denied."
Her comments extended to the "Special Iftar" dinner held on March 21, 2025, in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, which was sponsored by the Municipality and co-organized with the Consulate General of Qatar. Sardone charged, "The Municipality contributed to organizing an Islamic dinner in the square of the Central Station, where gangs of Maghreb people systematically commit crimes in the silence of the Democratic Party and their allies. For the left, anything goes, but for us, legality, transparency, and Christian roots matter. We are ready to demand accountability for how public money has been spent on yet another bow to Islam."
In a surprising turn, Forza Italia publicly distanced itself from Sardone's statements. Councillors Alessandro De Chirico and Giampaolo Berni Ferretti emphasized that Amir Atrous, a member of the immigration department of Forza Italia, was among the promoters of the March 21 Iftar. "Jasmine, the association that organized the dinner with the Moroccan Consulate, was founded to defend mistreated women. It is in no way fundamentalist," they explained. "Amir Atrous represents the symbol of integration: he is a liberal, the son of Tunisian immigrants, a high school teacher, very active in youth politics, and a candidate for the 2019 European elections with Forza Italia."
Berni Ferretti further criticized Sardone's remarks, labeling them as "dark and absurd," and even suggested involving her in a future dialogue with the Muslim community. De Chirico added, "Sardone made a colossal blunder. Perhaps she only watched a few seconds of the video; otherwise, she would have noticed women sitting next to men without any veils. Dialogue with moderate realities is essential. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of worship: these initiatives should be encouraged, not boycotted." He clarified that the issue of closing illegal mosques or Islamic centers not adhering to the law was a separate matter.
The Iftar, which took place in front of Milan's Central Station, saw hundreds of Muslim believers gather to break their daily Ramadan fast. The event, dubbed "Special Iftar," was organized with proper authorization and patronage from Palazzo Marino, but it sparked significant political contention. The Lega party, led by Sardone, voiced strong concerns about what they termed a "submission to Islam."
The controversy escalated when Sardone and Samuele Piscina, another Lega councillor, issued a statement asserting, "The left no longer hides: the level of submission to Islam knows no limits. Tonight, the youth of the Democratic Party will be in Piazza Leonardo to break the Ramadan fast with the Muslim community. An event that Municipio 3 even granted sponsorship." They criticized the event, stating, "The radical chic invite everyone to bring a prayer mat and food to share: who cares if Muslims in the city do whatever they want, amid illegal mosques, riots in the suburbs, and women's rights being denied?"
In contrast, Forza Italia's response was markedly different. De Chirico and Berni Ferretti reiterated their disapproval of Sardone's comments, emphasizing that the event was organized by the Jasmine association in collaboration with the Moroccan Consulate, which aims to defend mistreated women and is not fundamentalist. They highlighted that Amir Atrous, an active member of the party, symbolizes integration and that his involvement in the Iftar should not be misconstrued as a negative association with Islam.
The Jasmine association also responded to the controversy, stating that the Iftar was intended as a moment of dialogue, inclusion, and sharing, open to all citizens. They noted the presence of significant institutional representatives at the event, including the episcopal vicar of the Archbishop of Milan, the prefect, the police chief, the deputy mayor, and various consuls, as well as members of the armed forces. Their attendance underscored the civic, cultural, and symbolic value of the initiative, which respects religious traditions and social coexistence.
In a statement, the Jasmine association expressed regret that an event meant to promote unity was being distorted for political purposes, including by those in the media. They reaffirmed their commitment to transparent, respectful dialogue open to all communities that form part of Milan's social fabric.
This political debate surrounding the Iftar not only highlights the tensions within the center-right coalition in Milan but also reflects broader societal discussions about integration, religious freedom, and the role of public institutions in supporting diverse cultural practices.
