Italian security services have been closely monitoring 53 unofficial Muslim prayer sites in Rome due to concerns about radicalization and terrorism, as reported by a news outlet.
The rise in the number of Muslim immigrants in Rome has led to the emergence of improvised prayer spaces in various locations, such as warehouses, garages, apartments, and basements, which are tolerated by authorities despite some being technically illegal.
According to Tempo, these hidden places of worship are seen as potential breeding grounds for radicalization, where individuals who may pose a threat to security could be hiding among the worshippers.
The number of underground mosques under surveillance has almost doubled over the past decade, with the Italian Interior Ministry’s report highlighting this increase.
The total number of unregistered places of worship could exceed 100, with Rome being described as increasingly becoming the capital of Islam.
The issue extends beyond Rome, as undercover journalists from Fuori dal Coro visited underground mosques in Milan during Ramadan, producing a documentary titled “Immigrants and Violence: The Muslims Who Hate Italy.”
One individual interviewed in the documentary expressed radical views, citing the Quran and making statements about Muslims eventually conquering the West, starting with Italy.
The demographic trends in Italy, such as an aging native-born population and low fertility rates, have also been highlighted as factors contributing to the changing social landscape in the country.
