*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-K�ln 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.
