Italy has only eight mosques in whole country. Around 1.6 million Muslims live in Italy. It is at number four when it comes to population wise country for Muslims in Europe.
United Kingdom (UK), which have a Muslim population over twice as much as Italy 1,500 mosques. The vast majority of Muslims in the United Kingdom live in England. France have a Muslim population around 6 million. It has around 2250 mosques with 200-250 mosques in plan for future.
#Florence plans 'mega-mosque' for Muslim worshippers – https://t.co/LEVuzDFuMD #Italy pic.twitter.com/I92Hy5dsJi
— The Local Italy (@TheLocalItaly) April 7, 2016
There are only 8 mosques and the reasons of this shortage are many. One important being that Italy does not officially recognise Islam as a religion. It means that these existing eight mosques also do not receive protection by the state like other worship places.
To build a mosque is not an easy job in Italy. Even Italy’s Muslim community says that it is tough to build a mosque. Getting public funding and persimmon to build mosques by concerned authorities is not very easy.
Many on social media is of the view that Pakistan government and Islamic welfare organizations must fund for mosques in Italy and all of this must be done properly after completing all the formalities of Italy government.