Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s two-day visit to Italy ran into trouble on Sunday when he urged 500 young Italian women to convert to Islam and then suggested that the whole of Europe should convert.
The young women, the majority of whom were students, were hired by a hostessing agency to attend a lecture by Colonel Gaddafi and were reportedly paid 70 – 80 euros each. They were told to dress modestly for the occasion. An unconfirmed report says that two of the women converted to Islam on Sunday. Mr Gaddafi also offered to help the women find Libyan husbands.
Politicians from the anti-immigration Northern League, which governs in coalition with Mr Berlusconi’s People of Freedom Party, have expressed outrage at Colonel Gaddafi’s remarks, as has Rosy Bindi, the President of the Democratic Party. Ms Bindi said,
“This is a new, humiliating violation of Italian women’s dignity”.
Colonel Gaddafi’s visit was intended to celebrate the second anniversary of a friendship treaty between Italy and its former colony, Libya. Particularly important to Italy is Libya’s promise to take back its citizens who try to enter Italy illegally. Libya is also viewed as an important trading partner for Italy.
Now Mr Berlusconi is being accused of sacrificing Italian principles and his government’s integrity for the sake of trade. The colourful Premier has countered that his critics “have outdated ideas”.
Do you think that Gaddafi’s remarks were outrageous?
