The Muslim Brotherhood in Italy: A Slow Infiltration Strategy and Its Impact on National Security

While political debate in Italy focuses primarily on immigration and the economy, recent intelligence reports reveal the growing and worrying influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country. The Brotherhood exploits gaps in the legal framework to expand through a network of cultural and religious associations, which serve as fronts for the dissemination of political Islam.

In a country with approximately 1.6 million Muslims, these activities raise growing social and security concerns. This report analyzes the Muslim Brotherhood's expansion in Italy, tracing its organizational structures, activities, and the difficulties faced by authorities in countering its growing influence.

UCOII: The Backbone of the Muslim Brotherhood's Influence

At the heart of the Muslim Brotherhood network in Italy is the Union of Islamic Communities and Organizations in Italy (UCOII), founded in 1990 and considered the Italian arm of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), which, according to several intelligence reports, is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

Currently, UCOII manages approximately 130 mosques and Islamic centers, equivalent to approximately 80% of the Islamic places of worship in Italy, from Milan in the north to Sicily in the south. Several research centers, such as the Project for Countering Extremism and the European Center for the Study of Terrorism, have confirmed direct or indirect links between UCOII and the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly through prominent figures such as Mohamed Nour Dachan, honorary president of Syrian origin, and Yassine Lafram, president since 2018.

UCOII's activities demonstrate an explicit tendency to promote political Islam. Secretary-General Yassine Baradai sparked controversy in 2020 with statements labeling Christianity and Judaism as "heresies," fueling fears of separatist rhetoric that could threaten social cohesion.

Temporary Mosques: Centers of Influence Out of Control

Italy suffers from a shortage of officially recognized mosques—only eight nationwide. At the same time, there are between 800 and 1,200 "temporary mosques" located in garages, apartments, and warehouses that are not authorized as places of worship. Many of these are run by associations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

In 2015, former Interior Minister Angelino Alfano warned of the security threat posed by these difficult-to-monitor locations, used as bases for preaching and recruitment. The lack of a stringent legal framework encourages the Brothers' expansion into poor neighborhoods with high migrant populations, such as Brescia and Verona.

Political-Social Activities: Soft Institutional Infiltration

The Muslim Brotherhood has adopted a strategy of "soft infiltration" in Italy, seeking to forge relationships with political parties to influence local and national policies. Some reports have documented links between associations close to UCOII and the late European Parliament President David Sassoli, raising questions about the Brotherhood's influence in European politics.

On the social level, the strategy targets young people and migrants through educational and cultural programs, often run by the UCOII youth section. These activities exploit economic hardship and social marginalization to strengthen loyalty to the group's ideology.

European intelligence services have warned that these activities promote an ideology incompatible with European democratic values ​​– such as secularism and gender equality – and risk fueling separatist dynamics.

Government Response: Cautious Steps and Persistent Challenges

Faced with this expansion, the Italian government has taken some limited measures. In 2021, authorities expelled 46 migrants, including several imams accused of extremist preaching. In the past, jihadist cells were dismantled in Perugia (2007) and Milan (2003-2004), which used Islamic associations for recruitment and financing.

However, the lack of clear legislation on religious associations makes repressive action difficult. In 2017, a "Muslim Representative Council" was established under the Ministry of the Interior to monitor funding and officially integrate imams, but it encountered strong resistance from the UCOII.

Despite Lafram's conciliatory statements, such as "a Muslim should be the first to report a threat to the country's security," the group's doublespeak raises doubts about its genuine desire for integration.

Security and Cohesion Challenges: The Risk of Isolation

The Muslim Brotherhood's penetration of Italian society poses a complex security and social challenge. Authorities fear that some temporary mosques and cultural centers could become hotbeds of radicalization or logistical bases for illicit activities.

Although the Brotherhood presents itself as peaceful, their ideology—focused on the "Islamization of societies" and the rejection of integration—can foster youth extremism. Investigations into the 2017 Barcelona attacks highlighted the presence of ideas linked to political Islam among the perpetrators.

Seeds of Social Fracture

The Muslim Brotherhood's influence extends beyond its organizational presence: the covert nature of unauthorized mosques and associations worries Italian intelligence agencies. These environments risk becoming incubators of hatred, division, and social rejection.

At the social level, the ideological goal of "Islamizing" communities can lead to the creation of "parallel societies," isolated from the Italian context. The emphasis on a separate Islamic identity, often at odds with secularism, equality, and minority rights, risks hindering integration processes and fueling alienation among younger generations.

Legal Gaps and Diplomatic Implications

The shortcomings of the Italian legal system regarding the regulation and financing of religious associations represent a weakness. Unlike countries like France, which has rigorous laws to monitor foreign funding and expel radical imams, Italy lacks equivalent tools.

This lack facilitates the influx of foreign funds to support the group's activities. Furthermore, the Brothers' presence in Italy could complicate diplomatic relations with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries that consider them a threat or classify them as a terrorist organization. This could hinder cooperation on security and counterterrorism issues.

Call to Action: Toward a Comprehensive Strategy

Many voices in Italy are calling for a broader and more effective strategy. Security enforcement alone isn't enough; legislative and cultural action is also needed:

• Introduce laws similar to those in France, requiring religious associations to fully declare their sources of funding, especially those from abroad.
• Regulate temporary mosques, requiring registration and transparency criteria, and giving authorities oversight powers.
• Develop social and cultural integration programs aimed at young Muslims, promoting their belonging to Italian society and democratic values.
• Launch public awareness campaigns on the risks of political Islam, clearly distinguishing it from religious faith.
• Support moderate and integrated Islamic leaderships that promote inclusive and civic discourse.

In conclusion , the Muslim Brotherhood's influence in Italy represents a challenge that requires a delicate balance between protecting religious freedoms and safeguarding national security and cohesion. Too weak a response would encourage its penetration, while an overly repressive approach could fuel feelings of victimhood. A calibrated strategy is therefore needed that allows Rome to effectively address the threat while ensuring a pluralistic and cohesive society.