Perilous
Times
Tentacles of Islam Slowly Enveloping Europe?
By Dale Hurd
CBN News Sr. Reporter
While the idea of Muslims taking over Rome as prophesied by the
Prophet Mohammed may seem far-fetched, the historically Christian
capital of Italy is now the site of the largest mosque in Europe.
Moschea di Roma, or the Great Mosque of Rome, is able to
accommodate 12,000 worshippers and is a powerful symbol for
Italy's fast-growing Muslim population.
Large mosques have been built or are on the drawing board in
virtually every major city in Europe.
The skyline of Cologne, Germany, has been dominated for centuries
by its famous cathedral, the largest Gothic church in northern
Europe. But soon the church will share the skyline with the
150-foot tall minarets of the Cologne mosque, now under
construction.
The Muslim worship facility, which is being funded by the
government of Turkey, is opposed by groups who see it as a piece
of Turkish territory in the heart of Germany.
"This mosque is a symbol of political power. It's a symbol of
Islamization in the center of Europe, and especially this mosque
in Cologne-Ehrenfeld," Pro-Köln organizer Manfred Rouhs told CBN
News.
In fact, many of the large mosque projects in Europe are funded by
the Turkish government. Some are being financed by the Saudis, and
some, like the one planned for Copenhagen, are being built with
money from Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
"It's not really a mosque," Danish Muslim expert Lars Hedegaard
said of the Copenhagen mosque."It's more like a barracks. It's
going to be an institution that will terrorize not only Danes but
also non obedient Iranians."
In London, a plan to build the largest mosque in Europe ran into
strong public opposition and has been downsized.
But in Cologne and other cities, the left-wing has shown itself to
be very pro-Mosque and sometimes demonstrates violently against
mosque opponents.
The Great Mosque of Rome and the growing number of giant mosques
across Europe are changing not only the physical landscape, but
some say they are likely to change the political landscape, as
well.