Italy's Olympic host cities offer different access for Muslims to observe Ramadan

Milan has established mosques like Al-Wahid that hold open iftars and evening prayers, while mountain host areas around Cortina have fewer formal prayer spaces, with some Muslims traveling to Brunico or using improvised rooms to pray.

The 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Italy coincide with Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, prayer and communal meals. Host cities Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo provide different settings for worship and observance. Milan is multicultural with recognized mosques such as Al-Wahid that hold open iftars and evening prayers. In the mountain areas near Cortina, official prayer spaces are scarce and some people travel to nearby towns or create ad hoc worship rooms. Known details: - Milan's Al-Wahid mosque, officially recognized by the city since 2000, opens its doors during Ramadan and schedules weekly gatherings through March 14 that have included guests from other faiths and local institutions. - Imam Yahya Pallavicini said sport, culture and art can help reduce prejudice and fear toward particular cultures or religious identities, a view expressed in the article. - A 2025 report by the Milan-based institute ISMU estimates almost 400,000 Muslims live in Lombardy, with large groups originating from Morocco and Egypt. - In Cortina and nearby mountain towns, several people told the AP they have found it difficult to locate prayer spaces; one person said the nearest mosque he found required a drive of more than an hour to Brunico. - Interfaith prayer rooms are available at athletes' residential villages but are not accessible to the general public; in Brunico, about 120 people attended a Friday prayer in a rented room where donations were requested to cover costs. Summary: These differences shape how Muslims observe Ramadan during the Games and affect daily worship for residents, workers and visitors in the host regions. Some mosque programs in Milan continue through March 14; broader access and arrangements in the mountain host areas are undetermined at this time.