Brestia, Italy – The 25-year-old imam Ali Kashif of Pakistan, operating in two Islamic centers in northern Italy, was expelled from the country after shocking statements on television. In the program "Fuori dal Coro" (Rete 4), he stated that a girl after the first month, even at the age of nine, is an adult and can be married.
The case took place in late January 2026. A hidden-camera journalist visited two Islamic centers in Brescia: Associazione Culturale Centro Islamico Minhaj Ut Quran and Associazione Culturale Al Noor. Imam Kashif, unaware of recording, openly defended the "traditional" marriages with minors, citing the interpretation of Islam and the Koran.
Imam's words outraged the public. "In our Islam, after nine years, the girl becomes an adult. You can marry her," he said. These statements caused a wave of outrage not only among Italians, but also part of the local Muslim community.
A flash reaction from the authorities
Questura, Brescia under management Commissioner Sartori considers a man to be a "socially dangerous person" under Article 4(3) TUI (Testo Unico sull’Immigrazone). Additionally, the imam did not have a valid residence permit.
In the early days of April 2026, Ali Kashif was escorted to Milano-Malpensa airport and sent by plane to Islamabad (with an interland in Bangkok). The decision was made at local level, although it enjoyed the support of the government Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The case has become a symbol of a broader debate in Italy on the limits of religious tolerance, the protection of children and the integration of immigrants into Muslim cultures. Many commentators stress that Italy has shown a strong attitude this time – the priority is the safety of minors, not "respect for a foreign tradition".
What do you think? Should more European countries apply similar immediate deportations in cases of glorification of pedophilia under the cloak of religion? Let me know in the comments.
