Italy to Monitor Mosque Funding

January 5, 2007

Author: Christian Fraser

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6235451.stm

The Italian government plans to introduce strict checks on the sources of foreign money used to build mosques in the country.

Italy's interior minister is considering setting up a foundation which would monitor foreign funding for religious buildings and mosques.

A similar system already exists in France.

Italy now has 1.2 million Muslims, making Islam the country's second biggest religion after Catholicism.

Giving alms is a religious obligation in Islam.

But some foreign charities distributing funds in Europe have been accused of supporting extremist groups.