Netherlands: Concern about Gülen movement

Netherlands: Concern about Gülen movement

The cabinet will conduct an investigation into the boarding schools of the movement of the Muslim preacher Fethullah Gülen, minister of integration Eberhard van der Laan said Tuesday.

The politician wants to scrutinize the boarding schools because they're not subject to supervision and because Gülen makes conflicting statements regarding his objectives.

The preachers dedicates himself to the development of youth of Turkish background, but also strives for an Islamic society.  Van der Laan speaks of the "anti-Western, anti-Christian and anti-Jewish voices," of Gülen.

The parliament asked for an investigation.  According to the CDA, PvdA, VVD and SP, Gülen leaves people with a very mixed image.  "We want all shadow of a doubt to be removed," according to Halbe Zijlstra of the VVD.

Jeroen Dijsselbloem of the Labor Party (PvdA) wants "to know whether the movement encourages integration or just impedes it."  Madeleine van Toorenburg of the CDA: "The image is mixed.  The AIVD should look into this movement."

Minister Guusje ter Horst says that the movement is not a threat to the democratic legal system according to the security service AIVD.  She adds that it's difficult to say whether Gülen has a double agenda.

Due to the imprecise picture of Gülen, various parliament members want that everyone to be cautious when condemning people devoted to the movement.

Van Toorenburg and Minister Van der Laan are concerned about 'false allegations'.

Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)

See also:
* Rotterdam: Councillor claims Gülen movement is fundamentalist
* Rotterdam: Controversy around new "Turkish" elite school

No comments: