By V4 Agency
In the primarily immigrant district in the north of Milan, premises illegally used as mosques are opening up in violation of city codes and pandemic restrictions.
Restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic are prohibiting the populace of Milan and the entire Lombard region – a few days ago again re-classified as a “red zone” – from leaving their residences with a few specified exceptions. Schools, restaurants, bars and shops selling non-essential goods are closed, and gatherings are also prohibited.
“Although many are compliant with the regulations, there are those who are above the rules,” said Lega MEP and Milan City Councillor Silvia Sardone and local Councillor Stefano Pavesi (Lega Nord), in Il Giornale.it.
Both politicians condemned what is currently going on in the heavily migrant-populated north-western periphery of Milan. “Did we miss something, or is the illegally opened mosque, in a building which previously functioned as a bakery, not part of the red zone, as the rest of the city is?” they asked.
“It is absurd and incomprehensible that the local municipality does not enforce the regional laws pertaining to places of worship, especially in this pandemic situation,” said Silvia Sardone, who also wonders why Muslims can gather freely in spite of the restrictive measures while everyone else has to stay at home, bearing the social and economic consequences?
The problem of illegal mosques operating in the no-go zones of Milan is not a new phenomenon. It is impossible to keep track of all of them, because when the authorities shut down one, another quickly opens in its place. Silvia Sardone continues to call for firm and swift action from Milan Mayor Beppe Sala in this matter.
The suburbs of Milan are becoming increasingly neglected, with local councillors claiming that the city administration has turned their backs on them. Lega Councillor Stefano Pavesi promised residents in the community that they would continue to pay close attention to the suburbs of Milan and those who live there.