Publisher: Rorhof
Images: Nicolo Degiorgis
Text: Martin Parr
Layout: Nicolo Degiorgis, Walter Hutton
Excerpts from the introduction by Martin Parr:
In Italy the right to worship, without discrimination, is enshrined within the constitution. There are 1.35 million Muslims in Italy and yet, officially, only eight mosques in the whole country.
One consequence is that the Muslim population have accumulated a huge number of makeshift and temporary places of worship. These are housed in a variety of buildings including lock ups, garages, shops, warehouses and old factories.
This shortage of places to worship is particularly acute in north east Italy – where the photographer Nicolò Degiorgis lives – home to many anti-Islamic campaigns headed by the right wing party Lega Nord. Degiorgis provides a fascinating glimpse of hidden world and leaves the conclusions about this project entirely in our own hands.
