The administrative order said that the behaviour of Pakistani Imam Zulfiqar Khan appeared to be radicalising and becoming more aggressive since the end of 2023.
Italy has issued an order to deport 54-year-old Pakistani Imam Zulfiqar Khan from Bologna on 8 October 2024. Zulfiqar Khan had been living in Italy since 1995 and now the Georgia Meloni government has revoked his residence permit. The administrative order states that the behavior of Pakistani citizen Zulfiqar Khan appeared to be radical and violent since the end of 2023. In particular, his rhetoric included harsh and provocative comments towards Western countries, Jews, homosexuals and feminism.
Reportedly, Khan had incited Muslims to protest taxes imposed by the government during one of his sermons. He said that these resources should remain within the Muslim community and not be given to anyone else. In addition, he described homosexuality as "a disease" and said it was the right of Muslims to stop it.
After monitoring Khan's social media activities, it was found that between November 2023 and April 2024, his videos accused Americans, Germans, French, British and Italians of supporting the Zionists. In his speeches, he also prayed to Allah to destroy these "oppressors". Italian authorities said that Zulfiqan Khan has been found to have links with foreigners associated with Islamic extremist groups and it was likely that he could facilitate the entry of political-religious and paramilitary organizations in the Bologna area.
In May 2024, from the pulpit of a mosque, Khan praised Hamas and criticized Israel, saying that Hamas is not a terrorist organization but is protecting its land. He called Western countries, especially Israel and the US, "terrorists" and "murderers". Many of Khan's statements also included anti-Semitic comments. In 2021 he publicly claimed in Bologna's main square that the Bible's Gospel of John portrays a segment of Jews as cruel. In 2024 he said the term anti-Semitism was invented in the 18th century and described Zionists as not Semitic.
Khan had challenged the Italian government authorities. He had said that the Italian constitution gives him protection to say whatever he wants. However, Italian authorities made it clear that hate speech and support for terrorism will not be tolerated. Home Minister Piantadosi signed Khan's deportation order on October 8. The order came after US sanctions on Hamas supporter Mohammad Hanoon, who was accused of raising funds for Hamas. With the deportation of Zulfiqar Khan, Italy has indicated that there is no place for terrorism and radical ideology in the country.
