Ramadan Observances Amid the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, coincide with Ramadan, the Islamic holy month characterized by fasting and communal gatherings. Milan, a cosmopolitan city, features various Islamic centers, including the Al-Wahid mosque, which opens its doors for interfaith iftar dinners, inviting individuals from different faiths to join in breaking the fast. Imam Yahya Pallavicini of COREIS emphasizes the Olympics as a "symbolic moment" for fostering cultural understanding and reducing prejudice.

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According to a 2025 report by the Milan-based migration research institute ISMU, Lombardy is home to nearly 400,000 Muslims, primarily from Morocco and Egypt, with significant communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Bosnia. In contrast, Cortina d'Ampezzo, a smaller town with a population of around 5,000, presents challenges for Muslim residents and visitors seeking prayer spaces. Rabah Boubegtiten, a driver for Qatari security at the Olympics, noted the difficulty of finding a mosque, highlighting the limited options available in the mountainous region.

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While interfaith prayer rooms are available for Olympic athletes, they are not accessible to the general public. Muslim visitors in Cortina have reported struggles in locating places to pray during Ramadan. Kreem Wardi, a local student, mentioned that while it is possible to practice Ramadan in Italy, inviting non-Muslims to iftar dinners is uncommon, reflecting a cultural hesitance to discuss Islam openly.

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Italy's Muslim population, now numbering approximately 1.7 million, represents over 30% of the foreign resident demographic. This growth has coincided with rising anti-immigrant sentiments, particularly from political figures like Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who advocates for stricter migration policies. Despite these challenges, there is a notable increase in second-generation Italian Muslims and converts, contributing to a more diverse cultural landscape.

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Imam Yahya Pallavicini remarked on the significance of the Olympics in promoting cultural exchange, stating, “Sport, culture and art can help reduce prejudice and fear toward a particular culture or religious identity.” Amina Croce, a convert to Islam and youth leader at COREIS, expressed hope for greater recognition of the Muslim community's contributions to Italy's cultural heritage.

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While many Muslims in Lombardy report a supportive environment for practicing their faith, the experiences in Cortina highlight a disparity in access to religious facilities. The challenges faced by Muslim residents and visitors in finding prayer spaces contrast with the more established Islamic community in Milan.

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• “The Olympics are a symbolic moment,” — Imam Yahya Pallavicini, COREIS

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• “For us, it’s really difficult. Sometimes, even if we want to come, we simply can’t.” — Rabah Boubegtiten, Olympic driver

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• “In Italy, Ramadan is not an impossible thing. It is possible to practice Ramadan, it’s possible to pray,” — Kreem Wardi, local student

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• “We believe this diversity is part of Italy’s broader cultural heritage,” — Amina Croce, COREIS youth leader

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