This week, the Italian government expelled Imam Zulfiqar Khan, a Pakistani national, amid rising concerns regarding his radical Islamist sermons. The order for his removal was issued by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and came after Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called for Khan’s expulsion due to his extreme rhetoric. At 54 years old and serving as the imam of the Jacopo di Paolo mosque in Bologna, Khan was reportedly involved in disseminating ideologies that the government deemed a threat to state security and indicative of increasing ideological fanaticism. His expulsion highlights Italy’s ongoing struggles with radicalization and immigration policies that prioritize national security.
The removal order was based on Khan’s expressions of a fundamentalist interpretation of jihad, wherein he glorified martyrs and openly supported terrorist organizations such as Hamas amidst the ongoing Israel conflict. Italian state news agency Ansa reported that the government was particularly concerned about Khan’s inflammatory speeches, which included condemning Western nations—specifically the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy—for allegedly backing “impure Zionists” in their support of Israel. The imam’s rhetoric—calling for divine intervention against oppressors of Palestinians—has contributed to the perception of him as a dangerous figure who promotes violence and division.
Khan’s sermons, published in videos between November 2023 and April 2024, were filled with inflammatory language that targeted various groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, whom he labeled as suffering from a “disease.” He maintained a viewpoint that all Muslims bear the responsibility to confront such societal issues to prevent severe consequences, a stance that has further alienated him from mainstream discourse within Italy. The government’s decision to expel him illustrates its intolerance for hate speech and its commitment to maintaining social cohesion in a diverse society.
Having entered Italy in 1995 with a residence permit, Khan’s legal status changed abruptly with his expulsion. Deputy Prime Minister Salvini, who has long advocated for strict immigration policies, portrayed this action as a victory in the fight against radical ideologies and hate speech. His satisfaction with the outcome was clear when he celebrated the expulsion, asserting, “We finally sent him home.” This incident has become part of a broader political narrative that emphasizes security and the protection of Italian values against perceived external threats.
Salvini’s political ascendance has been marked by a firm stance against immigration and an effort to strengthen Italy’s borders. However, he is currently facing trial in Palermo for his previous efforts to curb migrant inflows, reflecting the complexities of national security and immigration policies. The interplay between Salvini’s populist platform and the expulsion of Khan signals a significant focus on radicalism within Italy, with the government aiming to preemptively address what it sees as a growing threat to public safety and societal values.
The response from Khan’s attorney, Francesco Murru, underscores the contentious nature of the expulsion. He criticized the government’s actions as reflective of a regression towards a “police state” where freedom of expression is curtailed under the guise of national security. Murru contended that Khan’s statements regarding the Israeli conflict and his views on sexuality were personal opinions, comparable to expressions held by Catholic figures in Italy. This incident not only raises questions about freedom of speech in the context of radical views but also emphasizes larger societal tensions regarding immigration, cultural identity, and security in contemporary Italy.