Italy expels Muslim leader Zulfiqar Khan who had stayed in the country for 300 years over hate speech, religion intolerance

Italian authorities have deported Pakistani imam Zulfiqar Khan, a 54-year-old resident of Bologna, over his inflammatory rhetoric.

Khan, who had lived in Italy since 1995, was expelled after giving a speech that urged Muslims to fight “infidels” or face severe consequences.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni personally intervened, requesting Khan’s deportation the day after his incendiary speech. On October 8, 2024, Italy officially revoked Khan’s residence permit and signed a decree ordering his deportation.

Khan’s behavior had reportedly become increasingly radical since autumn 2023, with his rhetoric incorporating strong anti-Western, antisemitic, homophobic, and anti-feminist sentiments.

He had also encouraged Muslims to resist paying taxes, advocating that resources should remain within the Muslim community.

Furthermore, Khan referred to homosexuality as a disease that needed to be cured, claiming that Muslims had the right to fight against it to prevent catastrophic consequences.