Emphasizing constructive dialogue over confrontation, the Bangladeshi community in Venice held a press conference on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Cita Hall in the Mestre-Marghera area to address complexities surrounding local Islamic cultural centers.
Community leaders at the briefing firmly stated that the Bangladeshi Islamic cultural centers in Venice operate as autonomous entities. Consequently, no single individual or organization holds the mandate to speak on behalf of the entire community.
Organizers explicitly distanced themselves from recently announced strikes or protests regarding mosque facilities, clarifying that the broader community neither supports nor endorses such disruptive programs. Key Observations and Stances Respect for Law and Culture: "Venice is our city. We do not want to create any disorder. We believe in peaceful dialogue while respecting the laws, institutions, and every individual," speakers noted. Administrative Cooperation: The community expressed complete readiness to engage in transparent, constructive discussions with the Mayor of Venice and local administrative authorities. Preserving Unity: Leaders stressed that establishing a mosque is a vital issue that must be handled without internal division or conflict, aiming instead for a lawful solution through direct engagement with relevant authorities.
Political, social, and cultural leaders, alongside expatriates residing in Venice, Mestre, and Marghera, were urged to maintain calm and restraint.
The press conference was attended by prominent community figures, including Kamal Chowkidar (Centro Culturale Marghera), Ruhul Amin Choyal, Ibrahim Jamadar, Billah Hossain, Monir Sardar, Mobarak Hossain, Mosharaf Molla, Mehedi Kazi, Azad Khan, Abul Kasem Sikdar, and Abdul, among others.
