Iceland's exhibit at Milan Expo: an unused church converted to a mosque
May 11, 2015
Iceland has created a controversy at the Milan Expo by converting a closed church building into a mosque.
The Iceland delegation had rented the building, formerly the church of Santa Maria della Misericordia, for its exhibit at the international fair. Iceland, in turn, commissioned a Swiss artist, Christoph Buechel, who converted the building to function as a mosque.
As Muslims used the building for their daily prayers, some Milan residents said that the installation was an affront to the city and a violation of the spirit of the Expo. The Iceland delegation countered that the work was intended to promote religious freedom and draw attention to the fact that there is no mosque in the center of Milan.
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Posted by: nix898049 -
May. 12, 2015 11:13 AM ET USA
So it reverts back to an unused church when the Expo ends?
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Posted by: Arms of Moses -
May. 11, 2015 10:44 PM ET USA
It seems that, the intent was devious on the part of the Iceland delegation, to, after the fact, make the statement they did....The apparent need for a mosque, regardless of location, should not be tagged to the Expo and certainly not to a Christian church, close or not...Any religious group desiring to purchase property for a place of worship should follow common guidelines....Addressing the subject in the manner that occurred would leave one who discerns questioning motives and future intents.
