Islamism in Italy: The Muslim Brotherhood Network and Its Allies

Drawing from literature and interviews with experts and representatives of Muslim communities, this chapter presents evidence corroborating the assumption that political Islam poses a legalistic threat to the integration of Muslims and to Italy’s liberal democratic order. The main focus is on the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) network and in particular on the Union of Muslim Communities of Italy (UCOII). After highlighting the association’s connections to the MB, the analysis outlines the controversies, accusations of extremism and opaque connections surrounding the organization and its leaders. The connections between the UCOII galaxy and the Italian institutions, at the national and local level, are then critically assessed. In addition, the study provides a brief overview of Shiite Islamism and highlights the organic links that Khomeinist associations have forged with MB-related actors.