Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MILAN237
2009-12-21 07:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Milan
Cable title:  

MUSLIM 2GS SEEK INROADS TOWARD INTEGRATION

Tags:  PHUM SMIG PGOV SCUL IT 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1581
PP RUEHFL RUEHNP
DE RUEHMIL #0237/01 3550729
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 210729Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL MILAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1883
INFO RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 8974
RUEHFL/AMCONSUL FLORENCE PRIORITY 0236
RUEHNP/AMCONSUL NAPLES PRIORITY 0231
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MILAN 000237 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019
TAGS: PHUM SMIG PGOV SCUL IT
SUBJECT: MUSLIM 2GS SEEK INROADS TOWARD INTEGRATION

Classified By: P/E CHIEF BENJAMIN WOHLAUER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MILAN 000237

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2019
TAGS: PHUM SMIG PGOV SCUL IT
SUBJECT: MUSLIM 2GS SEEK INROADS TOWARD INTEGRATION

Classified By: P/E CHIEF BENJAMIN WOHLAUER FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D)

1.(C) Summary: The National Conference of Second-Generation
Muslims was held in Turin on December 1-2 focusing on those
issues with which this growing population is most concerned,
including: citizenship, education, employment, and the
politics of integration. Speakers also touched on mosque
construction - much in the news in northern Italy and over
the border in Switzerland. Included among the speakers were
international and Italian academics, leaders in civic and
not-for-profit organizations, local government officials, and
a few members of the Association of Young Muslims in Italy.
While the slated content and credentials were impressive, and
the seats full of attendees eager to talk about growth and
change, the absence of actual plans for improvement and
inclusion concerned those who see disenfranchisement as a
possible precursor to extremism. End Summary

2.(SBU) The National Conference of Second-Generation Muslims,
held in Turin on December 1-2, was organized by the Italian
Center for Peace in the Middle East (CIPMO),a non-profit
organization aimed at encouraging Arab, Israeli and
Palestinian dialogue. Financial support and patronage for
CIPMO and the conference originated from the municipality of
Milan, the regions of Lombardia and Piemonte, the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the Caripolo Foundation. A broad array
of speakers were assembled to discuss issues facing this
rapidly expanding segment of Italy's immigrant population,
including Mario Morcone, head of the Department for Civil
Liberties and Immigration in the Interior Ministry.
Unfortunately, there was a noticeable lack of
second-generation Muslims speaking at the event with only two
giving voice to the concerns of their community.

3.(SBU) One of the key topics debated was educational
opportunities. Participants discussed the situation in
Italian schools for second-generation immigrant (2G)
students. The local media has paid significant attention to
the topic recently, highlighting the increasing numbers of
immigrant children in Italian classrooms and the fact that in
some areas, Italian children are in the minority. With the

continuing decline of the Italian birthrate and an overall
negative population growth, and the increasing number of 2G
and immigrant children, particularly in the north, this
phenomenon is on the rise. One speaker reiterated the
problem that 2G young people are considered immigrants
despite their Italian birth and pointed out that they now
outnumber new immigrants in many areas. Although the need
for cultural and linguistic pluralism in the classroom is
evident, no one presented a proposal for making it a reality.
No one raised the hot-button question of crucifixes in the
classroom but there was recognition that if space or time is
reserved for one religion it must be done for all.

4.(SBU) Another issue of keen interest to 2G immigrants of
all faiths is the right and opportunity to work. Although
Italian national labor statistics are not differentiated by
religion, Lombardy has completed a survey of immigrant
workers on the impact their faith has upon their employment.
Conference participants discussed the data which concluded
that prejudices experienced by 2G and newcomer Muslims at
initial employment stages (interviews, hiring) does not seems
to carry over into actual employment. Overall statistics for
Muslim workers were comparable to other immigrant laborers.
That said, it was clear from the survey responses that
because it is difficult enough to find employment, most
Muslim workers do not ask for accommodation to practice their
faith, including time for prayer, fasting, etc.
Unfortunately, as the presenter pointed out, the survey did
not capture the experience of a growing segment of the 2G
Muslim population, that of the university-educated seeking
professional positions. Some raised the concern that the
lack of government support and the opportunity to integrate
and participate civically could lead to increased extremism,
particularly among those with the education and skills that
are attractive to terrorist recruiters.

5.(SBU) Though not solely a "2G" issue, the issue of mosque
construction was discussed as well - inspired by the Swiss
ban on minarets that lead the headlines the day the
conference began. All speakers denounced the law declaring
that any such referendum in Italy would be
"unconstitutional." Although mosque projects across northern
Italy are stalled for a variety of stated reasons, many at
the conference argued that it is the selective enforcement of
laws and regulations that is the greatest hurdle on the path
to development. Though people oppose other building projects
based on aesthetics, one expert noted, only mosque s seem to
generate opposition to their very right to be built.

6.(C) In the only real moment of issue-specific debate in the

MILAN 00000237 002 OF 002


conference, local government officials from Turin and Milan
briefly bantered about the push for new mosques in their
respective cities. According to Ilda Curti, Assessore for
Immigration and Integration in Turin, the new mosque project
there, funded entirely by the Moroccan government, is
progressing smoothly with the cooperation of city leaders.
She described the Northern League-proposed regulation that a
mosque can't be built within one kilometer of a church as
absurd since, in Italy, that leaves just about nowhere. In
her words, "worship needs proximity." Interestingly, the
Turin plans do not breach this boundary nor do they call for
a minaret as it would violate a city ordinance on building
towers. From the progressive approach of Turin, the floor
was passed to Aldo Brandirali, the President of the Social
Service Commission in Milan, who began with "From the heaven
that is Turin to the hell that is Milan." Although he
acknowledged that a portion of his own political coalition,
Forza Italy, wants to "restrain" freedom of religion, he
claimed that the city had established "a path for communities
to follow in proposing places of worship." There has been
much debate in Milan as members of the Muslim community call
for the construction of a large central mosque while city
leaders have claimed that several smaller,
population-controlled places of worship are a better option.
Brandirali also indicated that the controversial
mosque-building proposal in Milan is now in the hands of
Milan's Prefect (the senior federal law enforcement official
in the city),essentially absolving city leaders from further
responsibility.

7.(SBU) For the nearly half a million 2G immigrants in Italy,
educational and workplace integration and the ability to
worship freely are key. However, as many pointed out, in the
end an easier road to citizenship is the one true guarantor
of civic participation and responsible integration. Summing
up the fundamental issue facing 2G immigrants, Fatima Zahara
Habibeddine of the Association of Young Muslims in Italy,
stressed that until Muslims have the opportunity to
meaningfully participate in the community as citizens, they
can not truly integrate. That opportunity to participate
will not come, according to Habibeddine, until Italians,
particularly those in government, recognize their rights of
citizenship. She concluded by described the plight faced by
many who, while awaiting citizenship, can not leave Italy for
years at a time. "It is ironic," she said, "that these
people you (Italy) appear not to want in the country are
prevented from leaving it." Habibeddine was referring to the
requirement of 18 years of uninterrupted residency that is
necessary for a second-generation immigrant to apply for
citizenship. Should the applicant leave Italy for a period
of three months or more during the required period, the
residency "clock" resets at zero and the 18 year required
period must begin again upon return before an application for
citizenship will be considered.

8.(C) Comment: The purpose of the National Conference of
Second Generation Muslims, organized by the Center for Peace
in the Middle East, was to generate dialogue about the rights
and duties of citizenship of 2G Muslims in Italy. With the
number of 2G children born here increasing 13.2% in the last
year and an expectation that this trend will continue, there
was universal recognition that changes and improved efforts
toward inclusion for all immigrants, and 2G young Muslims in
particular, are necessary and overdue. However, of the
thirty-five speakers at the conference, only six were Muslim.
Of them, only half were second-generation immigrants. For a
conference designed to discuss the issues important to this
segment of the population, relatively little was heard in
their own voices. Those that did speak from the 2G community
expressed frustration with the endless talk and limited
action on issues that all have recognized as essential for
the past several years. Action in these areas is important
as there is true concern that continued disenfranchisement
can lead young Muslims to seek an alternative, and quite
possibly more extremist community, where he or she can
belong. End Comment
Wohlauer