Two Turin city council members
from the anti-immigrant Northern League party are under
investigation for possible religious discrimination, sources
said Friday.
The move came after Roberto Carbonero and Fabrizio Ricca
last Tuesday removed a Muslim prayer rug provided by city hall
for Muslim guests at a forum on Islamic fashion.
"We have nothing against the Muslim religion, but city hall
is a secular and institutional place," the pair said as they
removed the prayer rug.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation.
Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said preventing anyone
from praying is "irresponsible", and Turin Archbishop Cesare
Nosiglia called for equal treatment for all religions.
Turin Mayor Piero Fassino called the pair's actions
"indecent behavior, offensive to the city and its guests".
Sources said the two are being investigated for possible
violations of a 1993 law banning the promotion of nazi-fascist
ideology and discrimination, violence or persecution based on
race, religion or ethnicity.
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