On 19th March 2016, the Islamic community was welcomed at the parish of San Martino in Greco during a series of meetings dedicated to Patriarch Abraham, Ibrahim in the Qur’an, where the reading of verses and reflections by Imam Yahya Pallavicini alternated with a musical performance of the Sukun Ensemble. We decided to reciprocate the invite, inviting them to our Mosque in Milan.
Main aims
Al-Wahid Mosque is really a special Mosque, because is mainly attended by Italian people converted to Islam or 2nd and 3rd generation with Italian Muslim origins. This peculiarity can help to overcome the feeling that Islam is something foreign to Italy and to Europe.
The project ‘A Visit to the Mosque’ took place on 29 April 2017 at Al-Wahid Mosque in Milan, Italy, where members of the Parish of San Martino in Greco were invited to engage in an interfaith visit facilitated by COREIS (Italian Islamic Religious Community). The initiative was led by Imam and President Yahya Pallavicini, who introduced the Catholic visitors to Islamic teachings and the significance of the mosque as a sacred space. Al-Wahid Mosque holds a unique role within the local context, as it is primarily attended by Italian Muslims, including converts and second- and third-generation Italian Muslims, helping to challenge perceptions of Islam as an external or foreign faith tradition in Europe.
In preparation for the visit, COREIS Muslim youth engaged in internal reflection and study sessions to ensure a meaningful exchange. They examined key interfaith texts and statements such as The Amman Message (2004), A Common Word (2007), and the Open Letter to Al-Baghdadi (2014), highlighting the distinction between authentic religious teachings and misrepresentations of faith. Informational materials and explanatory panels were also prepared to support the dialogue.
During the visit, the Parish of San Martino in Greco, accompanied by Priest Don Giuliano Savina, was welcomed to the mosque and guided through its garden and educational exhibits. The core session included an introduction to Islam by Imam Yahya Pallavicini, followed by an open dialogue where Catholic participants were invited to ask questions and engage directly with members of the Muslim community. The visit concluded with participation in an Islamic prayer (Salat), offering a shared moment of reflection, followed by closing remarks and expressions of mutual respect and peace.
Partners
- COREIS MUSLIM YOUTH
- IHEI Jeunes
- ACWAY (A Common Word Among Youth)
- Italian Muslim believers of Al-Wahid mosque in Milan
- Italian Catholic believers and
- Priest, Giuliano Savina, of the Parish of San Martino in Greco in Milan.
Project summary
The project addressed the issue of widespread prejudice against Islam in Europe, highlighting the importance of knowledge as a key antidote to misunderstanding. It emphasised that meaningful learning must combine both theoretical understanding of Islam as a faith and practical, lived experiences that allow people to move beyond assumptions and stereotypes.
A key aspect of the initiative was the sharing of information about interfaith efforts such as The Amman Message, A Common Word, and ACWAY, ensuring that positive contributions from Muslim communities receive greater visibility in public discourse. The involvement of COREIS Muslim Youth was central in presenting these narratives, offering authentic voices engaged in ongoing intra- and interfaith work.
Equally important was the experiential engagement within the mosque space itself. By introducing Catholic visitors to the Al-Wahid Mosque, the project helped connect Islamic teachings to real-life practice and everyday community life, countering the tendency to associate Islam solely with negative media portrayals. Through direct interaction with Muslim families and believers, participants were able to experience the universality of Islam as a lived faith, reinforcing the understanding that Muslim identity, European identity, and active citizenship can coexist harmoniously.