Over the weekend of April 20th and 21st, a two-day event dedicated to interreligious dialogue titled "Maria, Woman of Dialogue" took place in Moncalieri. Over the weekend of April 20th and 21st, a two-day event dedicated to interreligious dialogue titled "Maria, Woman of Dialogue" took place in Moncalieri. Organized by the Carmelite cloistered nuns of St. Joseph, the spiritual heart of the historic center hosted discussions and exchanges between Christianity and Islam, featuring distinguished guests such as the Ambassador of Afghanistan and others. The event, held at Biblioteca Arduino and the convent church, provided a platform for numerous representatives of dialogue between the two religions. Notable speakers included Pierluigi Dovis, head of the Diocesan Caritas of Turin; Afghan writer Fahrad Bitani; geopolitical analyst and Afghanistan expert Claudio Bertolotti, among others. Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya emphasized the importance of dialogue between religions and highlighted the significance of Mary in Islam. "There is an entire chapter dedicated to her in the Quran," he remarked, "she is a significant reference and a true woman of peace. Islam must also be a religion of peace, and respect for women must be a priority everywhere." This sentiment was echoed by Alessandro Giglio Vigna, Member of Parliament and President of the Parliamentary Committee for European Union Policies, who warned against the risk of Islamization in Europe. "Dialogue with Islam is crucial for Europe's future," he emphasized, "but there must be no gray areas. There is a real danger of the Islamization of Europe, with entire neighborhoods in major European cities no longer adhering to state laws but to Sharia: this must not happen anymore." Regional Councilor Andrea Cane stressed the vital role of religious and civil institutions in promoting respect for women and condemning all forms of violence or discrimination based on gender. The initiative of the Carmelites reflects a commitment to fostering dialogue and peace, exemplified by Laura Vanetti, a postulant at the Moncalieri convent, who shared, "It was a powerful experience shared with my sisters. We must learn to walk towards the future in a climate of dialogue and peace, following Mary's example: the exact opposite of what has been happening in recent years." Watch the news on TGR Piemonte here