A tragic fire raged through one of the most important Buddhist temples in Europe. The Buddhist temple in Pomaia, between Pisa and Livorno, was set aflame by a short circuit. Although no one was injured, and members of the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa were able to save statues of the Buddha and other priceless religious relics, some 400 sacred texts were lost in the flames. The fire caused one million euro in damages, and the monks of the temple are asking the public for help. (Donations can be made through the Cassa di Risparmio Lucca, Pisa e Livorno.)
In Florence, Imam Izzeddin Elzir has called for the construction of a ‘suitable’ mosque that is ‘worthy of the rich historic and cultural heritage of the city.’ City leaders on the center-left expressed their willingness to discuss the proposal; center-right politicians have said they ‘fear the loss of Florence’s cultural identity and traditions.
