In recent years, public debate in Italy has been profoundly influenced by news reports involving individuals from Muslim-majority countries. Assaults, robberies, domestic violence, forced marriages and other serious crimes have fuelled fear, mistrust and, at times, hostility towards the entire Muslim community.
The European Muslims League (EML) believes that the time has come to address this issue with sincerity, responsibility and respect for the truth. Denying the existence of problems would be a mistake. Generalising them would be an even greater one.
Distinguishing Religion, Culture and Individual Behaviour
The first step is to distinguish between three fundamentally different realities: Islam as a religion, the cultural traditions of certain countries, and the individual behaviour of people. Confusing these three elements creates prejudice and fuels social division.
Not all immigrants are Muslims, and not all Muslims are immigrants. Likewise, anyone who commits a crime is personally responsible for their actions and cannot be considered representative of an entire religion.
Real Problems Must Not Be Ignored
The EML recognises that there are situations which deserve serious attention. In some communities, practices remain that are incompatible with Italian law and with the dignity of the human person, including forced marriages, certain forms of domestic violence, discrimination against women and other traditions that have nothing to do with the fundamental principles of Islam.
A significant example is female genital mutilation, including excision and infibulation. These practices are condemned by the international community and are not a religious obligation in Islam. Their origins are historical and cultural, predating the spread of Islam, and their persistence is linked to tribal and local traditions rather than to the teachings of the Qur’an.
The same applies to so-called “honour crimes”, marriages imposed without the free consent of the woman, and every form of violence committed in the name of tradition. None of these practices can be justified by Islam.
Understanding the Facts to Overcome Prejudice
Every year in Italy, crimes are committed by both Italian citizens and foreign nationals. Official statistics show that crime is a complex phenomenon that cannot be explained by a single factor or attributed to any religion. Data must always be interpreted within their proper context and should never be replaced by generalisations based on isolated news reports.
At the same time, it is important to remember that foreign residents represent only a limited share of Italy’s population and come from hundreds of different countries, with diverse histories, cultures and religions. For this reason, every analysis requires balance, accuracy and respect for the facts.
A Message to Muslims
The European Muslims League first wishes to address Muslims living in Europe.
Being a Muslim does not simply mean declaring one’s faith. It means living with taqwā—a deep awareness of Allah’s presence and a reverential consciousness that inspires believers to avoid evil and strive to do good.
Taqwā is reflected in honesty, respect for the laws of the country in which one lives, rejection of violence, respect for women, protection of the family, keeping one’s word, working with dignity and serving society.
Anyone who steals, assaults others, deals drugs, oppresses their family or breaks the law harms not only the direct victim but also millions of honest Muslims who strive every day to live their faith responsibly.
Every Muslim community therefore has the moral responsibility to educate, guide and clearly distance itself from those who invoke the name of Islam while betraying its teachings through their actions.
A Message to Non-Muslim Citizens
The European Muslims League also wishes to address all Italian and European citizens.
Criticising unlawful behaviour is legitimate. Condemning an entire religion because of the actions of a few individuals is not.
Islamophobia, like every form of discrimination, harms innocent people, deepens social divisions and makes integration more difficult for those who respect the law and contribute positively to society.
Public safety is strengthened by enforcing the law firmly against anyone who commits crimes, regardless of nationality or religion, while promoting a culture of responsibility, mutual respect and civic coexistence.
Building a Better Society Together
Integration does not mean abandoning one’s religious identity. It means living one’s faith while fully respecting the Constitution, the laws of the State, the dignity of every human being and the fundamental freedoms of all.
The European Muslims League will continue to promote an understanding of Islam based on responsibility, legality, peace, dialogue and service to society.
Only by distinguishing between religion, culture and individual responsibility can we overcome prejudice, isolate those who spread hatred and build a society founded on mutual respect, justice and the common good.
Islam, Immigration and Responsibility: A Reflection to Build Trust
