In several European countries, a political trend that until now remained discreet is becoming increasingly visible: the deliberate construction of Islamist lobbies inspired by models already employed by other pressure groups.

A recent example is that of Italian activist and influencer Ibrahim Youssef, who happens to hold a PhD in political science and philosophy. As Il Giornale reported, speaking recently on the podcast Strong Believer, Youssef, an active figure in networks associated with Italian Islam, argued that the Muslim community must prepare to play a significant political role in the medium term.

According to demographic projections from the Pew Research Center, Muslims—who represented 4.6% of the Italian population in 2022—could reach nearly 10% by 2050. For Youssef, this demographic trend opens the door to growing electoral influence if it translates into cohesive political participation. His view is that a unified voting bloc could force major parties, especially conservative ones, to rethink their discourse on immigration and integration to maintain their chances of governing. The argument is presented not as an ideological project, but as an electoral calculation based on figures.

Youssef proposed that the Muslim community should “emulate the Zionist lobby.” In his analysis, the strength of that model lies in its long-term vision. Youssef maintains that the Muslim community should adopt a similar logic, supporting any Muslim candidate who enters politics and reinforcing internal cohesion mechanisms that allow negotiation with traditional parties. This strategy comes with an incremental approach: advancing step by step within institutions, even if a Muslim representative cannot fully defend a religious program.

The podcast episode that featured Youssef also highlighted the importance of cultural influence as a prerequisite for political success. Youssef cited the example of the LGBT movement, noting how decades of work in media, education, and activism normalized proposals that at another time would have been rejected by most of society. Similarly, the Muslim community, he argues,  must prioritize its cultural presence before aspiring to broader institutional weight.

This view aligns with strategies observed in international Islamist organizations, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which have historically promoted a gradual approach: first consolidating the cultural and social terrain, then transferring that capital to the political arena.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Lega president Matteo Salvini did not mince words as he reacted to the Il Giornale article. He said “All we needed was an Islamist party, forget integration,” adding that there should be a suspension of “all permits to build mosques and Islamic centers [in Italy] until they [Islamic communities] also sign an accord with the Italian state in which they pledge to respect our laws and traditions.”