Posted on 11/20/2003 6:08:38 PM PST by blam
From suspicion to expulsion
A terror-struck Italy has expelled eight 'suspect' Islamic immigrants. But some fear scapegoating of Muslims in a climate of fear, writes Sophie Arie
Thursday November 20, 2003
Italy buried 19 of its citizens this week killed by a terrorist bomb in Iraq. On the same day, in an effort to expiate the terrorist evil from its own midst, eight suspects were declared "undesirable" and expelled from the country. The eight immigrants had been under surveillance for several years but judges had ruled that there was insufficient evidence of any terrorist related activity.
But this week, with a nation suffering from a big terrorist attack, the interior minister, Giuseppe Pisanu, ordered them out, evidence or not, declaring they were "putting public order and state security at risk".
The first to go was Turin Mamour, a 39-year-old sociologist with Senegalese citizenship. He had predicted an attack on Italian troops in Iraq in a television interview one month ago, saying they were targets because they were supporting the US-led coalition. Last week, he described the attack as "only the beginning" and warned Italy to expect a "second wave" of attacks.
Mr Mamour, who had lived in Italy for 11 years, had also bragged of his friendship with Osama bin Laden in the past claiming he had made a "blood pact" with the al-Qaida leader.
"He was already known to authorities as somebody who received suspect funds," the ministry said.
His wife, Barbara Farina, a former bank clerk from Milan, followed her husband with their four children to the Senegalese capital, Dakar, on Tuesday.
The other seven immigrants, six Moroccans and one Algerian, are to be flown out of Italy today and officials have mentioned another seven names on their "undesirable" list.
Led by Nourredine Lamour, a 27-year-old Moroccan, they reportedly began collecting funds for the widows and sisters of suicide bombers who killed 45 people in Morocco in May.
The seven are specifically accused of acting in association with Islamic terrorism. One is thought to have links with the Algerian Salafi Group for Preaching and Fighting, and others had received training in paramilitary camps, according to the ministry.
In a climate of national pride mixed with deep fear now that Italy has felt the direct impact of Islamist terrorism, few voices have been raised against the sudden expulsions. A poll in Repubblica newspaper showed that 58% of the population approved.
"The tragedy of Nasiriyah makes one reflect on the nature of the immigration that our country can and must host," said Antonio Martusciello, a government undersecretary and political ally of the prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, in applauding the deportations.
But some warned the search for a scapegoat in the wake of the attacks had turned into an unjustifiable witch-hunt among Italy's immigrants.
"You can't ban people from a country because of their opinion - whether it's fascist, communist or Islamic fundamentalist," Daniele Capezzone, of the Radical party, told the Corriere della Sera.
Moderate Muslim leaders in Italy dissociate themselves from extremists, including Adel Smith, who recently won a legal ruling for crucifixes to be removed from the primary school his children attend. The ruling - temporarily blocked by an injunction requested by the education ministry - is due to be reviewed in coming days.
Mass immigration over the past few decades has swollen Italy's Muslim population to almost one million, making Islam the second most common religion in the country. But the community is fragmented, handicapped by the few extremists in its midst, and its relations with the government and mainstream Italian society are weak.
As Khalid Chaouki, president of the Association of Young Muslims of Italy, explained: "It is very hard to make people realise we are people, not just Muslims."
Don't Know.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.