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

On April 21th, during the Nowruz Celebration event held at the Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, Ambassador H.E. Khaled Zekriya appointed Senior and Special advisors with the objective to provide technical and strategic advice on bilateral and multilateral matters, particularly related to the Embassy’s cultural, ecclesiastical, human rights and development diplomacy endeavours for this year.

 

List of Advisors:

Honorary Counselor General of Fiji Diego Massimiliano De Giorgi - Senior Advisor for Bilateral and Multilateral Relations

Maria Clara Mussa - Special Advisor for Women Affairs

Gherardo Lazzeri - Special Advisor for Media, Press, Conferences and Coalitions

Denis Woronzoff - Special Advisor for Ecclesiastical Diplomacy

General Aziz Ahmad Noori - Special Advisor for Afghan Diaspora and People to People Contact

Fabio Diamante - Special Advisor for Lower Education

Edoardo Marino - Special Advisor for Import, Crafts & Design Affairs

Dr. Pasquale Longo - Senior Advisor for Public Relations

Matteo D’Abrosca - Senior Advisor for Health, Youth and Child Care 

Pierangelo Panozzo - Political Advisor

Dr. Gaetano Russo - Senior Advisor for Cultural Affairs

Gaia Filippone - Special Advisor for UN International Agencies and Trainee Supervisor

 

On March 21, the Italian Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan hosted a vibrant Celebration for Nowruz.

Many distinguished guests gathered at the Embassy in Rome to commemorate the festival, which signifies the beginning of the new year and the arrival of spring.

Attendees also had the opportunity to enjoy exhibitions featuring Afghan artists' works, adding cultural richness to the occasion.

 

On March 19, as part of the project in collaboration with Salam Association, the National Office Against Racial Discrimination, and the Office of the Italian Prime Minister on the occasion of the "Week of Action Against Racism," the Conference "Cultural Integration, Social Promotion, and Human Development through University Studies" was held at the University of Teramo.

The international Conference commenced with greetings from the Rector, Dino Mastrocola. Following this, speeches were delivered by Stefano Ravagnan from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy for Syria, H.E. Khaled Zekriya , the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic and Mission of Afghanistan, Basim Hatat, the Director-General of the European Institute for Strategic Policy Analysis, Ahmed Bakkora, the President of the International Refugee Commission, Imad Barq, the Vice President of the University of Aleppo, and Laura Di Filippo and Pietro Gargiulo, professors at the University of Teramo, specializing in Transnational Crime and International Law. Concluding remarks were provided by Simona Fernandez of Salam Association-Ong for Mediterranean Peoples' Cooperation. In the afternoon, an exhibition of Islamic art miniatures was presented, featuring interventions by Ambassador Khaled Zekriya and Professor Ragur Nazir. The exhibition will also be showcased in other centers in the Teramo area and will remain open to the public at the University until March 25.

The University of Teramo's project aims to promote intense international cooperation to overcome obstacles and challenges in recognizing academic qualifications for refugees or enabling them to pursue undergraduate and specialization programs, thereby facilitating their access to the job market and personal fulfillment.

For students arriving from Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and many other countries where studying is denied or challenging due to the political-social situation, cultural institutions as universities become humanitarian channels for integration, social promotion, and human development.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to address the world's challenging situation, where nearly 12% of the population is displaced, emphasizing the necessity of restoring democracy and justice to repatriate refugees.

 

Watch the news on TGR Abruzzo here