The Vicariate of Rome has announced that the Grand Mosque of Rome will host an interreligious gathering titled “Cristiani e musulmani in dialogo alla Grande Moschea” on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 5pm. The move has prompted debate over what is proper conduct in interfaith and ecumenical meetings.
The event is jointly organised by the Centro Islamico Culturale d’Italia and the Diocese of Rome. Catholic participants will include Auxiliary Bishop Marco Valenti of the Northern Sector, Mgr Marco Gnavi, responsible for the Office for Ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and new cults, and Prof Wasim Salman of the PISAI (Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies). The Islamic side will feature Dr Abdellah Redouane, secretary general of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Italy, and Imam Nader Akkad, who will lead a guided visit of the mosque.
