Muslims to Apologise for Prayers Held in Front of Milan Cathedral

Leaders of Milan's Muslims are to meet the city's Roman Catholic archbishop to apologize for an impromptu prayer service they held in front of the cathedral, a statement from the archbishopric said.

Images of hundreds of Muslims bowing to Mecca in front of one of the pre-eminent symbols of Christianity in Italy prompted outrage among some, particularly rightwing, Italians. defense minister Ignazio La Russa proposed that prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's coalition should "reply" with a mass on Sunday on the same spot.

The status of other religions is a particularly sensitive issue in Italy where, until recently, almost the entire population was made up of baptized Catholics. Crucifixes are ubiquitous in schools, hospitals, law courts and police stations, and attempts to have them removed in the name of religious equality have been consistently rejected by the courts.

The latest controversy began with a demonstration on Saturday against the Israeli offensive in Gaza. After departing from the agreed route, protesters arrived, at their hour of prayer, in front of one of Europe's most imposing Gothic cathedrals.

Despite a campaign by the conservative press for a response, Milan's archbishop, Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, viewed as a liberal, remained silent until Wednesday's statement, which acknowledged that some regarded the prayers as "an affront".

The statement added that the head of one of the city's main Islamic cultural centers had asked for a meeting with the archbishop. The purpose of the meeting, the archbishopric said, was to clarify what happened last Saturday and convey apologies.