Plans are underway to build a large Islamic university in southern Italian town of Lecce.
Giampiero Khaled Palladini, a Muslim convert and the president of Confime, a confederation for Mediterranean businesses, is behind the project. Palladini believes that this project could become “an instrument for peace” in the town of Lecce which is proud of its openness.
"This project is aimed at removing prejudice against Muslims and become “an instrument for peace” in the town. We need something that could help change people’s attitudes towards being Muslim,” he told The Local newspaper.
On Saturday, Palladini announced that the project has been registered and land was obtained on the outskirts of Lecce to build the campus, which will include accommodation, sports facilities and a mosque.
Regarding the funding of the project, Palladini has not yet revealed any exact sources but says they are mostly private donors from Arab nations, including Qatar and Kuwait. He said he already had secured a number of pledges for the needed €45 million to launch the university.
The university with a capacity for 5,000 students would teach philosophy, literature and theology.
The university will be created on similar model to that of the Catholic University of Milan and will be open to students from both Italy and abroad. Though it still needs accreditation from the Ministry of Education, the first 50 applicants have already enrolled in Arabic language and Islamic theology courses.
The founders of the project are going ahead with the plan despite some disagreements among the local residents about establishing such a university.
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