An Italian convert to Islam who fought to have crosses removed from schools is now suing the Pope for comments he made in his 1994 book, allegedly calling Christianity superior to other religions, in violation of the Italian constitution.
I find this fascinating. I don't know much about the previous lawsuit, but it seems this devout Muslim is fighting so that the secular Constitution is upheld in a land that is richly Catholic. How do Italians view him?
I posted a short news blurb. Maybe some of our Italian speakers can tell us what the Italian press thinks.
Muslim activist sues Pope
A Muslim activist sued the Pope, a top cardinal and other church officials, claiming their comments about the superiority of Christianity violated the Italian constitution. In a civil suit filed in Aquila, central Italy, activist Adel Smith said he was seeking a court condemnation of the comments. Smith, president of the Muslim Union of Italy, has made headlines for his court battle to have a crucifix taken down from his son's classroom. In his latest legal effort, Smith said that, over the years, Pope John Paul II and other church officials had violated the Italian constitution, which proclaims that all religions are equal under the law.
Posted by Roya Aziz at February 29, 2004 06:04 PMGreat story.
It strikes me that in France, the apparent balanced treatment (all "ostensible" religious signs are banned in public schools) is much more discriminatory than it seems.
In what way?
Posted by: Roya Aziz at March 1, 2004 11:56 PM