Mosque Funding: Italy shows the way forward
On the face of it, there is nothing morally or legally wrong with the foreign funding of mosques based in British and European towns and cities. Freedom of religion means that mosques should be free to obtain funds in order to maintain and run themselves. However, it's also true that European mosques are frequently falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.
Therefore, regulating their funding becomes relevant for the interests of the wider community in which they are based. Mosques must have transparent sources of funding. Italy has now shown a path to regulate funding of mosques. Italy's Interior Minister Giuliano Amato unveiled his plans today to monitor funding of mosques:
"I find the spread of mosques with cash from governments of other countries unacceptable... I want to understand who is financing what in our country." <<quick read>>
All European governments should follow the lead, especially the British government.
