Italy: Muslims to hold summer camp in quake hit region

Italy: Muslims to hold summer camp in quake hit region


Italy's largest Muslim group, UCOII, will this month hold its annual summer camp in the quake-stricken central Italian Abruzzo region to show solidarity with the earthquake victims. The camp is taking place from 25-30 July at a hotel near the picturesque Lake Bomba outside the town of Chieti.


A total 294 people were killed and another 55,000 were left homeless by the powerful earthquake that struck Abruzzo's capital city of L'Aquila and surrounding areas on 6 April. Tens of thousands of people are still living in tents and temporary accommodation.


"We will be meeting as brothers to show solidarity with the people of Abruzzo," UCOII said.


"We will live together for several days in a highly spiritual atmosphere, holding meetings, studying, recharging our batteries and living our faith," the group added.


"Our choice of Abruzzo this year is a clear sign that we share in the pain and distress of the its people and support their efforts to recover from this emergency and rebuild the cities and villages seriously damaged or destroyed by the earthquake."


UCOII's decision to hold its 40th annual summer camp in Abruzzo follows Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's announcement last week that he planned to spend his summer holidays in Abruzzo instead of his usual stay at his luxury villa on the island of Sardinia.


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Source: AKI (English)

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