Rome: A Catholic archbishop, imams from major cities, high-ranking Italian politicians and businesspeople on Friday attended an iftar in Rome dedicated to interfaith dialogue and raising awareness of Tunisian culture.
The dinner was hosted in Palazzo Brancaccio, a baroque building in the center of Rome, by Kamel Ghribi, a Tunisian financier and president of the European Corporate Council on Africa and the Middle East.
Guests included Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican Academy for Life; Nader Akkad, imam of the Great Mosque of Rome; and Badri Madani, imam of Palermo Mosque.
An interfaith prayer was attended by Minister for Institutional Reforms Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, Italy’s Chief Justice Pietro Curzio, Sicily Gov. Renato Schifani, former Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese, former Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Carlo Messina, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo bank.
“This gathering is an important occasion for inter-religious dialogue, inspired by the principles of human solidarity and peaceful coexistence among peoples,” said Paglia.
“Fraternity and social friendship are also the ways indicated by Pope Francis to build a better world through a love capable of overcoming every distance.”
After the dinner, the fashion creations of young Tunisian designer Ali Karoui were shown.
