Who is Financing Mega Mosques in Europe?

Qatar’s Influence in Europe

Qatar’s increasing financial influence across Europe has raised alarm bells, particularly regarding its growing network of mosques, cultural centers, and schools. While these institutions are often touted as charitable endeavors, many believe they are part of a much larger strategy to expand Qatar’s political and cultural reach in the West. Critics argue that Qatar’s involvement with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and its alleged ties to extremist networks point to a more calculated, long-term objective: the promotion of political Islam and an ideological shift in Europe.

German MEP Dennis Radtke has even suggested that Qatar's ambitions may extend beyond cultural influence, potentially aiming to establish a Caliphate. This would pose a direct challenge to Europe’s secular, democratic values, threatening to replace hard-won freedoms with an authoritarian, religion-driven framework. If left unchecked, this growing influence could reshape Europe’s foundational Enlightenment principles, undermining its commitment to pluralism and freedom.

Charity or Political Agenda?

At the heart of this issue lies Zakat - one of the five pillars of Islam, which calls for almsgiving. In Europe, however, Qatar’s charity arm, Qatar Charity, has turned this religious obligation into a highly politicized tool. The organization has poured millions into building mosques and Islamic centers, which often double as cultural and educational hubs. While these initiatives are presented as philanthropic gestures, the question arises: is this truly charity, or a strategic move to promote political Islam in the heart of Europe?

Take, for example, the iconic mosque funded by Qatar in London, standing tall amidst the city’s historic churches. It's a symbol of Qatar’s growing presence across Europe, with similar projects appearing in countries like Croatia, Slovenia, and Sweden. One striking example is the Islamic Center in Rijeka, Croatia, a massive complex with five interconnected domes and a towering 23-meter-high minaret. Not only does it serve as a mosque, but it also includes a congress center, a restaurant, and educational facilities, all financed heavily by Qatar.

As Qatar continues to expand its influence in Europe, the line between charity and political agenda becomes ever more blurred. What might seem like simple donations are, for many, part of a broader, more ambitious vision for the future of Europe, and one that may have far-reaching consequences for the continent's identity and values.

A Fine Line Between Charity and Influence

Qatar Charity, despite presenting itself as a humanitarian organization funded by small individual donations, is primarily backed by the Qatari royal family, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Qatari Development Fund. Its objectives appear deeply intertwined with the interests of the Qatari state. As Portugal’s former ambassador to Qatar, António Tânger Corrêa, boldly put it, "They dream of recreating the Caliphate."

Across the continent, Qatar’s financial footprint is fueling anxieties about political favoritism and cultural transformation. In Malmö, Sweden, the inauguration of a Qatari-funded mega-mosque was marked by the presence of the Social Democratic mayor, sparking accusations of a political deal to secure Muslim votes in exchange for support. This raises the uncomfortable question: is Qatar using its charitable donations as a way to influence political outcomes in Europe?

The situation in France offers another alarming example. Mosque al-Nour in Mulhouse, overseen by the Association des Musulmans d’Alsace (AMAL), is funded largely by Qatar Charity. AMAL has strong ties to the Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF), which has known connections to the Muslim Brotherhood. The mosque’s funding and the political affiliations of its sponsors have led many to fear that Qatar's influence in these religious institutions goes beyond mere charity, with the potential to further the spread of political Islam across Europe.

In Italy, Qatar Charity’s reach continues to grow through its support of the Islamic Cultural Center Sesto San Giovanni, where the organization has invested millions into the construction of a new mosque. Through its “Ghaith Initiative,” Qatar Charity has funneled over $6 million into various Islamic centers in Italy, demonstrating a clear effort to support the expansion of Islamic culture and influence in Western societies.

Similarly, in Luxembourg City, Qatar Charity funded the Le Juste Milieu Mosque , contributing around 75% of the €2.2 million needed for the project. The mosque is more than a place of worship; it includes a legal center, school, da’wah center, and other educational facilities, serving over 3,000 Muslims in the area. The mosque's extensive support from Qatar raises troubling questions about the depth of Qatar’s involvement in shaping the religious and cultural fabric of Europe.

Denmark is not immune to Qatar’s reach. The Hamad Bin Khalifa Civilisation Center, which houses the Grand Mosque of Copenhagen, received a staggering $27 million from Qatar. This funding has raised concerns about possible interference in Denmark’s domestic affairs, particularly given the mosque's ties to the Danish Islamic Council, a group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood through the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe. These connections fuel worries about the influence of foreign powers on European soil and the potential impact on Danish secularism.

What is particularly concerning about Qatar Charity is its alignment with groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, whose influence extends beyond the realm of religion. Projects funded by Qatar Charity often promote practices like veiling for women, challenge secular European norms, and support lobbying organizations like the European Islamic Union, which aims to combat “Islamophobia.” But their goals go beyond mere integration or fighting prejudice - they seek to create a political and cultural shift in Europe that mirrors Qatari values, rather than those traditionally held by European societies.

The Death of Reciprocity

The principle of reciprocity, which suggests that equal rights should be granted to all religions in both Qatar and Europe, has often been proposed as a potential solution to the growing tensions between religious communities and cultural identities. This observation is echoed by Portugal’s former ambassador to Qatar, António Tânger Corrêa, who advocates for strict reciprocity: “One church, one mosque. No church, no mosque.”

In 2008, Qatar made a symbolic gesture by opening its first Christian church. However, this move seems largely performative in a country where Christians are virtually non-existent and political participation is an impossibility for non-Muslim groups. In stark contrast, Europe is witnessing the proliferation of mosques, while its historic churches - symbols of its Christian heritage - fall into disrepair or shutter altogether.

As Croatian MEP Stephen Bartulica aptly stated, “If Christianity loses its place in mainstream European culture, something else will replace it. We see Islam filling that void.”

The concern lies not only in the increasing number of mosques but in how these religious spaces are being utilized as platforms for a larger political agenda. As German political analyst Hermann Tertsch warns, "We should consider political Islam as something not fundamentally different from Nazi, fascist, or communist ideology." This perspective raises an important point: the challenge Europe faces is not simply about religious freedom or coexistence, but about the way religious institutions are being used to promote ideologies that could undermine the foundations of Europe’s secular democracy.

Critics across Europe are sounding the alarm over Qatar’s ambitions, with some even describing it as “Islamic colonialism.” These critics argue that Europe’s left-wing political factions, in their pursuit of alliances with Muslim communities, are failing to consider the long-term impact on cultural preservation. “They control so much of the narrative,” admits one Croatian MEP, acknowledging the influence these groups are exerting on public discourse.

In Germany, recent protests calling for the establishment of a Caliphate have added a sense of urgency to the debate. German MEP Dennis Radtke has warned that Europe is at a crossroads, where the survival of its secular democracy is increasingly under threat.

The broader concern is not simply about religious freedom - it’s about the very survival of secular democracy itself. Europe must confront the question of whether it will allow itself to be reshaped by external influences or if it will take a stand to preserve the values that have defined its societies for centuries. In this context, the question of reciprocity may not be enough to safeguard Europe's future. The stakes are much higher.

Resistance Without Losing Ourselves

The central dilemma Europe faces is undeniable: How can it resist the spread of political Islam without undermining its democratic principles? Finnish policymakers, for instance, uphold freedom of speech and the press but are clear in their stance against incitement to violence. Finnish MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen succinctly puts it, “Imams preaching violence must be stopped, but everything else must fit within free thought.” This balance between preserving freedom and protecting society from harm is delicate, and Europe must find a way to uphold both.

However, history provides a stark warning. During the medieval period, under Islamic rule in parts of Europe, Christians were subjected to heavy taxation, exclusion from public life, and bans on owning printing presses. These experiences serve as a somber reminder of the challenges Europe faced under different power structures. As Stefan Tompson, founder of Visegrád24, states, “Islamic law has shaped Europe before, and its legacy wasn’t one of equality.” This historical context raises important questions about the role of religious influence in shaping European societies.

Europe stands at a critical crossroads. As Qatar’s influence grows, so does the risk of allowing its authoritarian, theocratic ideology to infiltrate the democratic fabric of European society. The choice before Europe is not one of tolerance versus bigotry; it is a choice between vigilance and complacency.

If Europe values its freedoms - its secular enlightenment, democratic institutions, and cultural heritage - it must draw a firm line. It cannot allow religious dogma to dictate its laws, nor can it tolerate violence as a substitute for dialogue and debate. Furthermore, Europe cannot permit foreign powers to manipulate its democratic institutions in service of anti-democratic agendas. The preservation of Europe's identity and values depends on a collective commitment to safeguarding its democratic integrity against external influences that seek to reshape it.

Heike Claudia du Toit

South African | Content Writer | Linguistics Honors Candidate