Adel Smith
Adel Smith (March 9, 1960 – August 22, 2014
Adel Smith founded the Union of Italian Muslims (Unione dei musulmani d'Italia), claiming it to be the most representative Italian Muslim association. Critics of Smith, however, contend that his association numbers very few members. He came to preeminence in the Italian media when he requested that a
He attracted more media attention by demanding that crucifixes in public places (e.g., schools, hospitals, and government offices) be removed, and throwing a crucifix out of the window of his mother's hospital room after authorities refused to remove it. The
He attempted to sue author Oriana Fallaci in April 2004, saying that her book The Force of Reason was offensive to Islam.[4]
Mainstream Italian Muslim organizations expressed discomfort over the fact that Smith was treated by the Italian media as if he had been a genuine Muslim leader.[5]
In 2011 he was sentenced to five years in prison for fraud and forgery of checks.[6]
Smith died on August 22, 2014, at the age of 54 in L'Aquila.[7]
Footnotes
- ^ Morto Adel Smith,lottò contro crocifisso
- ^ a b ADEL SMITH, chi è l’uomo che vuol togliere il Crocifisso dalle scuole – Attualità di *Arcobaleno* Archived February 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Italy – education and religion
- ^ "Trial over Italian Islam 'insult'". BBC News. 24 May 2005. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Les musulmans d'Italie refusent le combat du crucifix
- ^ Italy – Il Giornale: Adel Smith sentenced to five years
- ^ "Morto Adel Smith, il "nemico" del crocifisso nei luoghi pubblici". 23 August 2014.