Venice authorities suspend plans for Islamic centre on city’s mainland

Venice authorities have suspended plans to build a mosque and Islamic centre in Mestre, a district on the city's mainland.

The local Bangladeshi community had bought an 8,000-square-metre site for the project, which had previously been approved by the city's administration, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano, Caliber.Az reports, citing Italian media.

However, Venice's new mayor, Simone Venturini, reviewed the decision and concluded that the necessary conditions for the project were not currently in place.

The proposed development was intended to include a fully-fledged Islamic centre.

The Bangladeshi Muslim community in Mestre is estimated by some sources to account for about 20% of the district's population. Members of the community have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and threatened strike action.

Such a strike could affect businesses in local industrial areas as well as the tourism sector, as many community members work in restaurants and hotels.

The proposal has also faced opposition from some Italian politicians.

Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said his League party would propose legislation to regulate the location of Islamic facilities in accordance with Italian law and traditions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev