Mosque dispute in Mestre: Bengali community threatens protests, mayor demands integration

A contentious issue in Mestre, Italy, revolves around the Bengali community's long-standing request for a dedicated place of worship, a mosque. The community, numbering over 20,000 individuals, has purchased land at the former sawmill site on Via Giustizia, but the area is zoned for commercial use, necessitating a zoning variance to permit a "place of worship" as per regional regulations. Mayor Simone Venturini has made his position clear: while open to dialogue, he insists that the community must first "demonstrate that they have integrated." This stance has drawn sharp criticism and anger from the Bengali community, who feel their request, which has been pending for at least fifteen years, is being unfairly stalled. Prince Howlader, a prominent voice within the community and president of the "Young for Humanity" association, argues that the administration cannot continue to ignore their demands. Community leaders are not backing down and are prepared to escalate their actions. Howlader stated, "We are ready to block everything." He highlighted the significant economic contribution of the Bengali community, asserting that a strike would have a substantial impact on key sectors. "If we Bengalis go on strike, Fincantieri and all the tourism... will stop," he warned, emphasizing their readiness to take to the streets if their mosque plans are not accommodated. The mayor, however, maintains that while freedom of worship is not in question, the zoning variance is not an automatic right but a discretionary power of the city council. He expressed skepticism about the necessity of a large mosque in Mestre, suggesting that "grandiose projects" are not currently appropriate. He also pointed to concerns about the "proliferation of women covered by a full veil," suggesting a lack of full integration, though he acknowledged that discussions about any project must be preceded by a process of integration that he feels is not yet complete for the Bengali community.

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If we Bengalis go on strike, Fincantieri and all the tourism between kitchens, restaurants, and hotels will stop. Do you want to see?