Italy's outgoing interior minister, Giuliano Amato, and representatives of Muslim communities in Italy have unveiled plans to establish an Italian-Islamic Federation with legal recognition in Italy, while discouraging the spread of radical Islam. Sabina Castelfranco reports for VOA from Rome.

Representatives of several Muslim communities in Italy announced plans to establish a Federation of Italian Islam that will be granted legal status. The announcement was made one year after the approval of Italy's Charter of Values, Citizenship and Immigration, a code aimed at minorities, but especially Muslims.

The charter says, among other things, that polygamy is contrary to the rights of women and that immigrants seeking Italian citizenship should speak Italian and know about Italy's history.

The federation is intended to promote mosques devoted to moderation and to weaken those professing radical Islam.

AP Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato in Rome eng 190 14apr08
Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato
Outgoing Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato talked told reporters the federation will bring together Muslim communities that pledge allegiance to the Italian constitution and the values charter.

Amato said the federation will be able to speak to Italian institutions to promote inter-religious dialogue and respect for religious freedom. It will also be able to manage mosques and the training of imams.

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