We are living in times that seem taken from an apocalyptic film, yet they are our reality. Wars, biblical displacements of peoples, earthquakes, diseases, and massacres mark our days. We have read in history books about past tragedies, we have seen documentaries and reconstructions, but I never thought I would personally live through such an era. The Holocaust of the Second World War and the tragedy of Gaza in our century are wounds still open. We cannot forget October 7, but I cannot understand what relationship there is between the extermination carried out by Hitler and the Nazis and the responsibility of the Palestinians in that tragedy. In the same way, I do not understand the policy of Germany that seems to wish to eternally bear the weight of the Holocaust, as if we Italians today had to pay for the crimes of Mussolini’s fascism. Everyone is responsible for their own actions before God and before men, and no one can be called to account for the sins of others. If we were to reason with such logic, we Italians, heirs of the Roman Empire, should still continue to pay for centuries for its conquests, destructions, slavery, and injustices.
The most worrying note today is the insistent attempt to create a religious clash. There is an effort to set Jews against Muslims, Muslims against Christians, fueling a hatred that does not belong to God. Jews themselves are victims of the destructive policies of the Israeli government which, under the pretext of eliminating Hamas, is annihilating an entire people, never fully recognized as a State, and is provoking the displacement of millions. Such irresponsible politics risk fueling new antisemitism and isolating Jews themselves across the world.
We must ask ourselves who really pulls the strings of manipulation through social media, newspapers, and television. Why is there a constant insistence on portraying Muslims as invaders, as a threat to Western civilization, accusing them for their way of eating, for women’s veils, for building mosques, as if these were dangers? But what are the values of this West that assumes the right to stand as judge? It speaks of freedom, rights, and democracy, yet too often justifies wars, occupations, and bombings that kill innocents. The West does not equal Christianity. Christ never preached hatred, the rejection of migrants, or the discrimination of the weak. Those who invoke the “Christian values of the West” to support wars and divisions are not defending the Gospel, but rather a vision of power and domination.
Muslims, like every other sincere believer, do not want to impose anything on anyone. They only want to live their faith. It is the same principle of freedom that applies to anyone: just as someone born in Genoa loves to eat trofiette al pesto and, when moving to Milan, does not accept being forced to change their dish, so personal freedom is sacred, as long as it respects the law. In the same way, one who eats halal or wears the veil does so for themselves, not to impose it on others.
And it is important to remember the origin of the veil: it is not an imposition, but an act of devotion. In Islamic tradition it is a sign of modesty and purity, just as it was in early Christianity. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is always represented with her head covered, and for centuries nuns have lived their consecration wearing a veil as a sign of humility before God. The veil is therefore part of a shared tradition, uniting different faiths in the call to modesty and respect, not as a symbol of oppression but as a sign of spiritual freedom.
Islam is not against human rights, on the contrary it affirms them in their very essence. In the Qur’an, God says: “We have honored the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, provided them with good things, and favored them above many of those We created” (Surah 17:70). It is clearly written that the dignity of man is a divine gift. The Gospel itself recalls: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). And the Torah states: “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong” (Leviticus 19:33). These sacred texts, born from the same origin, proclaim the value of the human person and the dignity of every believer. If the West thinks that Islam is against democracy or against rights, it is because someone has distorted our values in order to fuel distrust and hatred.
The problem is not religion, but terrorism—a word that does not exist in the sacred books. It is the invention of wicked men who use faith as a mask for their own interests. Terrorism is born from the actions of those who manipulate, arm, and finance extremist groups, making people believe that they represent a religion. But no revealed faith teaches terror.
We must remember that the oneness of God unites us, and that we Muslims live the final revelation while not despising the Torah and the Gospel, which remain sacred books. Ours is a choice of faith, but it must never become a cause of division. Whoever attacks Islam attacks the very God of Christians and Jews. True believers, whatever book they choose to follow, cannot be enemies among themselves, because the purpose of faith is not to ignite hatred, but to purify hearts.
Ambassador Alfredo Maiolese
President of the European Muslims League
