Hawzah News Agency (Basilicata, Italy) - Franco Corbo has caused outrage over his controversial nativity scene which portrays an Islamic interpretation of the traditional Christian nativity scene in St Anne's church in the southern city of Potenza in Basilicata.

The priest has depicted the traditional nativity scene with Mary wearing a veil and the figures of Joseph and the shepherds are all wearing traditional Muslim clothing.

However the priest had defended his decision, saying that he wanted to send a message saying ‘no’ to too many walls, either literally or symbolically, that prevented integration.

He said: “Just think about the wall built by Israel to keep Palestinians lock in true enclaves.
“It’s my desire to remind people that religion can and should be an instrument of dialogue.

“All other faiths and ethnicities have been destroyed or reduced to misery by the selfishness of Western society.”
He also stated: “Islam, like all religions, is synonymous with peace and brotherhood.”

He added that ISIS had nothing to do with the Islamic religion and those suicide bombers and terrorists had nothing to do with the religion.
He stated: “There have been may disputes. But this only depends on people’s small minds and a form of fundamentalism.”

It is not the first time Mr Corbo has come under fire for nativity scenes and he has several as part of a collection.

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