France and Italy Expel Islamic Extremists

Zulfiqar Khan, an imam from Pakistan, has been expelled from Italy following accusations that he supports extreme jihadist ideologies and backs the Hamas terror group. 

According to Il Giornale, Khan, who had been serving as an imam at a mosque in Bologna, was detained and is awaiting a hearing to confirm the order issued by the Interior Ministry. 

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini welcomed the decision, saying, “We have finally sent him home.” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said Khan was showing “growing ideological fanaticism,” and noted his “propensity toward radical positions,” including strong anti-Western and antisemitic rhetoric, as well as anti-gay and anti-feminist statements.

Maurizio Gasparri, a member of Forza Italia, which is part of Italy’s governing coalition, also welcomed Khan’s expulsion. “Protecting the security of our country so that fanatical supporters of terrorism are stopped before it’s too late is a priority for us,” he said, 

The government, in its monitoring and prevention activities, has demonstrated its ability to act promptly. For preachers of hatred and antisemitism, there is no place in our country.

The case comes at the same time as France ordered the expulsion of Omar Binladin, the eldest son of the infamous Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. 

Although Omar had previously distanced himself from his father’s violent legacy, authorities took action following a social media post in which he allegedly praised his father as a “martyr” and “nation builder.” This post, made in 2023 on the anniversary of Osama bin Laden’s death, triggered outrage.

French interior minister Bruno Retailleau issued an entry ban on Omar Binadin, citing his comments as grounds for concern over national security. Despite Omar’s denials of authorship of the post, French authorities upheld the ban, and he has since relocated to Qatar. 

In a post on X, Retailleau said:

I hereby pronounce an administrative ban on Mr. Omar Binladin, the eldest son of international terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Mr. Binladin, who has lived in the Orne region for several years as the spouse of a British national, posted comments on his social networks in 2023 that advocated terrorism. 

As a result, the Prefect of Orne issued an OQTF [Obligation to leave French territory] and obtained Mr. Binladin’s departure. The courts confirmed the legality of this decision, taken in the interests of national security. The administrative ban on entry ensures that Mr Binladin cannot return to France for any reason whatsoever.

Je prononce ce jour une interdiction administrative du territoire à l'encontre de M. Omar Binladin, fils aîné du terroriste international Oussama Ben Laden. M. Binladin, installé dans l'Orne depuis plusieurs années en tant que conjoint de ressortissante britannique, a accueilli…

— Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) October 8, 2024