18 July 2008

Imams from Morocco stir up controversy
Plans to send seven Moroccan imams to the Netherlands for the Muslim fast month of Ramadan (in September) have led to angry comments in the Dutch parliament.

The Moroccan government's announcement that the imams would help fight radicalisation did not go down well with Christian Democrat and Labour MPs.

De Volkskrant quotes CDA MP Madeleine van Toorenburg who says "It is unheard of that seven people are commissioned by a foreign power to come here to solve so-called problems." The CDA wants the cabinet to intervene before the imams get on the plane.

Labour spokesman Jeroen Dijsselbloem says Morocco should stop its "paternalistic behaviour" and "allow the Moroccan community in the Netherlands to decide for itself what kind of imams it appoints".

In an editorial, the conservative newspaper De Telegraaf comments on plans by the Moroccan authorities to send more than 170 imams to Europe and Canada. Their sermons are meant to keep believers from listening to radical Islamists.

"Although this helping hand may appear sympathetic, it is nothing more than interference from the authorities in Rabat, who consider the Moroccan community in Europe as their 17th province."

The paper writes that besides protecting believers from radical colleagues, the imams also see to it that Moroccans abroad remain loyal to their roots and traditions and that this is at odds with Dutch attempts to integrate immigrants.

De Volkskrant interviews the interim chairman of the newly formed Federation of Moroccan Imams, Yassin Elforkani, who does not understand all the commotion.

He says Morocco has been sending imams to the Netherlands and other countries for Ramadan for many years.

The spokesman for Amsterdam's Moroccan mosques, Khalil Aitblal says he agrees with Labour MP Dijsselbloem's comment that Moroccans should decide themselves what kind of imams they appoint.

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