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.