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Taiba Mosque - Islamic Center
Via Chivasso, 10/F, Torino - ITALY
RELIGIONS Islam
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION The Islamic Association of the Alps was founded in Turin in 1998. Currently, the association manages two places of worship in the city: theTaiba center, in via Chivasso 10f, inaugurated in 2006 and the Rayan center founded in 2013 in the Madonna del Pilone neighborhood. Alongside the meetings for prayer and religious formation, the two centers run cultural and social activities. Today it is the most frequented and active prayer hall of the Piedmont Region, the center hosts hundreds of Muslim faithful every day for the prayer and reading of the Koran.
The increase of the Islamic presence, in particular of Arabian immigrants from North Africa, has called for the construction of a real mosque named "King Mohammed VI" with the financial contribution of the Government of Morocco, located in the southern suburbs of the Piedmontese capital, on the border with the municipality of Moncalieri. This is a large basement building: the inside surface is 1100m², of which 800m² dedicated to the prayer room and 300m² to the balcony for women. The project was entrusted to the architect Demetrio Foti and the realization took place between 2010 and 2013.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE Although born after the first expressions of Turinese Islam, developed in the 70s of the twentieth century, the Islamic Association of the Alps has consolidated a significant presence not only in the city (where there are about fifteen Islamic places of prayer) but also on regional scale, as a reference for the Islamic Cultural Centers present in various Piedmontese centers. Its initiatives have had considerable activity over a period of 20 years.
The "King Mohamed VI" mosque is the only place of Islamic prayer in Turin that has the characteristics to be considered an official mosque. The place of worship, although born only a few years ago, is already well structured in its activities. Moreover, through the programming of the Islamic Cultural Center of Italy (CCII) in its municipal detachment of Turin, meetings of cultural exchange and language courses (Italian and Arabic) for men, women and children are organized.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE The Taiba cultural center, in addition to religious activity addressed to the Sunni faithful, carries out a specific intercultural activity: it periodically hosts visits by groups and school classes interested in learning more about Islam and the Muslims of Turin.
It is proposed as a space for interreligious dialogue and for the formation of active and positive citizenship, with meetings and conferences aimed at integration and knowledge among the different religious communities of the city (Catholics, Protestants, Jews).
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE Although religious practice is rather limited even among people of Islamic origin, the activity of the association and cultural centers have played an important role in recent years both with respect to Muslim immigrants (which in Turin constitute a very significant component nowadays). of the population), both with respect to Italian and local institutions, for inter-religious and intercultural knowledge and dialogue, as well as for the problems linked to security and the fight against extremism and violence.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS Direct visit: with local guides.
Virtual visit: presentation of the religious site through the video-tour
Classroom activity (pre and post the visit):
Liturgical itinerary with detailed information on the organization of rooms and sacred furnishings.
Activity of verification of the acquired knowledge and skills
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE
VIDEOS
LINKS