Ramadan in Florence

by Aishah Bashir

What is Ramadan? 

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and the holiest month within the Islamic Faith. For 30 days, Muslims around the world observe Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset, increasing focus on prayer, and deep reflection. It is also the month when the Quran, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH  (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). 

Understanding Ramadan: Not Just Fasting  

Although Sawm (Fasting) is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, abstaining from food and drink is not the sole focus of the Holy Month. It is a time to reflect within, shed bad habits, and make room for new positive practices. It is also a month of Zakat (charity), giving to the less fortunate if you can, and making every effort to practice Salah (prayer). Practices that are upheld year-round are especially encouraged during this time as they hold higher rewards. 

Florence’s Islamic Community

Many people don’t realize that Islam is the second most practiced religion in Italy. As of 2025, the Muslim population sits somewhere between 1.7 and 3 million — roughly 3 to 4% of the country — yet the community’s presence in Florence has historically been easy to overlook.

For 20 years, the only Islamic place of worship in the city was a small garage behind Borgo Allegri. In 2024, following a prolonged legal dispute involving estate lawyers and the municipality, the Islamic cultural center was relocated to Piazza dei Ciompi, into a space formerly occupied by Banca Intesa bank.

I visited the mosque one Ramadan in 2024 and tried to retrace my steps this time around, only to find myself confused again. Even after research, the exact location wasn’t obvious, and my GPS declared I’d arrived before I spotted anything recognizable. There are no signs outside, nothing to mark it from the street. I ended up asking a couple of passersby for help, who, as it turned out, were heading there themselves. Once I found the entrance and walked through, I was greeted by a courtyard with an ablution station to the left and the women’s section to the right. Further inside lies the men’s prayer hall — nicely furnished, with Islamic calendars displayed everywhere. The Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood, where Piazza dei Ciompi lies, is a vibrant, well-suited home for the mosque, and it’s a welcoming space once you find it. Moschea di Firenze Centro, or Mosque of the Florence Center, is located on via dei Martiri del Popolo 39R. Yet, the building number for the door I entered is actually 2, see on the right of the entrance:

The Mosque is Growing

Shortly after the opening of the newly located mosque, the Islamic community also finalized the acquisition of a 400-sq meter property across the Piazza adjacent to the Mosque to establish a new community center, entirely funded through contributions from the community with no external funding. 

According to the mosque’s Imam Izzeddin Elzir, once the spaces are combined and renovated — which will involve opening up walls to create a larger prayer hall — the mosque will be able to accommodate up to 800 worshippers. The new section could be ready by next summer, though the expansion has not been without controversy, and debate around it continues in the city.

Finding Iftar Essentials in Florence

While halal restaurants are limited in Florence, there are a handful of ethnic grocery stores worth knowing about for Iftar essentials. One reliable option is Tutto Carne on Via dei Neri, an Egyptian supermarket stocking a wide selection of dates during Ramadan, a halal butcher counter, and a range of imported goods. 

Even as I write this blog, many countries are split on when the first day of Ramadan begins, as it is decided by the sight of the crescent moon. Saudi Arabia says its Feb 18th, others say 19th. While I was in the mosque, I grabbed a snapshot of the Islamic calendar for the Florence sect:

Florence may be a small Muslim community, but it is a resilient and growing one, and this Ramadan, it felt more visible than ever. Ramadan Kareem to all who are observing. 🌙