A top Muslim representative has responded to remarks by a top Vatican official who said marriages between Muslims and Catholic Christians should not be encouraged."Mixed marriages do not exist. The so-called mixed marriage with a Muslim, in reality, is a normal marriage. Islam has nothing to do with it," said Ejaz Ahmad, member of the Italian government's consultative Islamic Council and representative of Rome's Pakistani community.
"Marriage with a Muslim can fail, as it can fail with an Italian...cultural differences mean richness and not a threat."
"I have known my wife Valentina for more than 18 years and we have been married for 14. Our problems are work, the house and our children's health and our strengths are both Islam and Catholicism, thus our children are growing with both sets of values."
Ahmad was responding to a statement by Monsignor Mariano Crociata, the new Secretary General of The Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), saying that "Mixed marriages with Muslims are not to be encouraged."
"This is the challenge: remain Islamic but integrating yourself in a society that is not majority Muslim. This will ensure the possibility of coexistence," said Crociata.
"The passing of years brings a return to cultural conditions, social, religious and judicial relations of the place of origin, with sometimes dramatic consequences that can fall on the children," Crociata continued.
However, Crociata also said: "We must ensure that the Muslims present in our country can cultivate their religion in an appropriate way."
He made the remarks on Thursday, echoing the call by the Vatican's Cultural Council chief Gianfranco Ravasi backing the construction of mosques, as long as they are used solely as places of worship.
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(Source: AKI)