On October 8, 2024, Italy signed a decree for the deportation of Zulfiqar Khan, a 54-year-old imam residing in Bologna. Khan, a Pakistani national who entered Italy in 1995, had his residence permit revoked simultaneously with the expulsion. The decree cited Khan’s increasingly radicalized behavior since autumn 2023, noting his promotion of anti-Western, antisemitic, homophobic, and anti-feminist sentiments.
During sermons, Khan reportedly urged Muslim followers to resist paying taxes imposed by the state, advocating that funds should benefit the Muslim community. He also described homosexuality as a disease that should be eradicated, warning of dire consequences for society if left unchecked.
From November 2023 to April 2024, Khan’s social media activity included videos accusing Western nations of supporting “impure Zionists.” He called for divine retribution against these countries, especially those backing Israel. In May 2024, during a mosque sermon, he praised Hamas while denouncing Israel, asserting that Hamas was defending its territory rather than engaging in terrorism. He depicted Israelis and Americans as terrorists, thanking Allah for revealing what he deemed the truth about them.
Khan’s antisemitic views were evident in past public speeches, where he alleged that certain Jewish individuals used their intelligence to harm others. He also questioned the legitimacy of antisemitism and denied that Zionists were Semites. His inflammatory rhetoric extended to attacks on prominent figures, including Italian-Egyptian journalist Magdi Cristiano Allam, who had converted to Christianity and was living under police protection due to threats.
Khan consistently challenged Italian government officials, claiming his right to free speech under the Italian Constitution. However, the Italian authorities took a firm stance against his rhetoric, indicating zero tolerance for hate speech and support for terrorism. The timing of the deportation order, coinciding with the anniversary of the October 7th massacre, underscored the government’s resolve.
Khan’s expulsion follows recent sanctions against another imam, Mohammad Hannoun, who was identified by the US Treasury Department as a Hamas member involved in fundraising for the group. Following Khan’s deportation, prosecutor Nicola Piacente mentioned the possibility of a new investigation into Hannoun if relevant evidence from the United States became available.
