Responses to Sharia statement

Following the previous article, here's a roundup of the responses.

Donner's original statement:

"It must be possible for Muslim groups to come to power [in the Netherlands] via democratic means. Every citizen may argue why the law should be changed, as long as he sticks to the law.

"It is a sure certainty for me: if two thirds of all Netherlanders tomorrow would want to introduce Sharia, then this possibility must exist. Could you block this legally? It would also be a scandal to say 'this isn't allowed!

"The majority counts. That is the essence of democracy."


His response to the uproar:

"People are now trying to suggest I am for the introduction of Sharia. That is not the case," he said.

The Minister emphasised that aspects of Sharia law conflict with the Dutch Constitution. But in the theoretical situation that a majority of the Dutch public wanted Sharia Law, the Constitution would have to be altered. This is something he would always work to prevent happening, he said.

Donner expressed amazement that his original remarks have been met with such hostility.

I don't think he supports Sharia law, but he doesn't seem to know what democracy means, either.


Responses across the political spectrum:

Apparently, Muslims understand Democratic concepts better than Donner:

Muslim leader Hikmat Mahawat Khan lashed out fiercely yesterday at the government. Instead of defending Dutch values, it fosters Islamic behaviour that does not belong in the Netherlands. "It is simply unacceptable," he stated in newspaper Trouw.

Khan feels the government should demonstrate more clearly that certain matters are unacceptable in the Netherlands. "We should take a look at America. (...) They are harsher and clearer over there. You may rage inside the mosque but not outside. You are free to isolate yourself if you wish, but you will have to reap what you sow."

"If you isolate yourself in the Netherlands, the community is saddled with the financial consequences. You demand the right to apply for a job wearing a burqa and when you fail to get a job you feel you're entitled to an allowance. (...) An Amsterdammer must have the guarantee that Amsterdam will always be Amsterdam, a city (...) where Dutch principles prevail."

"When the Queen did not shake hands with men in the Moubarek Mosque in The Hague, Prime Minister Balkenende said that was fine. Nonsense of course, people shake hands in the Netherlands; that is the custom here. Balkenende is causing a great deal of damage by saying this. The same applies to the cuddling talk of Amsterdam Mayor Job Cohen. It is counterproductive."

And more responses:

Labour (PvdA), the largest opposition party, said Donner had gone too far. MP Jeroen Dijsselbloem said his party rejected the acquiescence implicit in Donner's remarks. The Minister should be expending his energies to oppose the discriminatory concepts in Sharia Law rather than suggesting it could be a part of Dutch democracy, he said.

Right-wing Independent MP Geert Wilders warned he will table a motion of no confidence in Donner if he doesn't retract his words.

The Christian Democrat Party (CDA), of which Donner is a member, said it was pleased the Minister had clarified he was speaking theoretically. But CDA MPs differ fundamentally with Donner on the issue as they believe any political party that proposes the introduction of Sharia should be banned.

MP Frans Weekers of the Liberal Party (VVD) said his party had no wish to blow the matter out of proportion. The VVD is the CDA's coalition ally.

Weekers said he understood Donner's factual conclusion about democracy but he questioned how it added to the integration debate.

Green-left party Groenlinks was less kind. "I don't think any Muslim has gone to Donner to ask for Sharia Law," MP Naïma Azough said. "His words were totally hypothetical and actually inane. They don't add anything to the debate."

Sources: Expatica 1, 2, 3 (English), NIS News (English)