ROME

The closure of two Islamic community centers and prayer spaces in the Monfalcone district of Italy's northeastern province of Gorizia has frustrated the Muslim community of mainly Bangladeshi workers in the shipyard area, media reports said Tuesday.

Mayor Anna Maria Cisint, who is with the right-wing populist Lega party, closed the centers in November and moved to prevent Muslim prayers in a former supermarket by declaring it as a construction site, according to the Il Piccolo newspaper.

Left-wing politician Furio Honsell noted that the mayor's decision violated the most essential articles of the Constitution.

The La Repubblica newspaper ran headlines that said: Anti-Islam Mayor Bans to Worship. Christian and Muslim Clerics United.

Two Catholic priests, Flavio Zanetti and Paolo Zuttion, said in a statement that freedom to worship is a value that should be respected.

Prominent imam Abdel Majid Kinani, urged the wider Muslim community to peacefully protest the decision Dec. 23.