Netherlands: Interview with leader of Muslim Party

Netherlands: Interview with leader of Muslim Party


Henny Kreeft is the leader of the Netherland's Muslim Party, NMP. In this interview with Eren Güvercin he talks about his unusual route to the NMP leadership and the main goals of his party


(..)


Q: What are the key points of your party program?


Kreeft: Apart from improving relations between Muslims and non-Muslims, and investment in our young people, we also oppose the ban on the burkaas we believe a woman should be able to make a free choice whether she wears one or not.


Q: Are there only Dutch citizens in the NMP, or are there Muslim members from other backgrounds?


Kreeft: We are open to people of all origins. At the moment our members include Dutch people, and people of Moroccan and Bangladeshi origin.


Q: What is the situation like for Muslims in the Netherlands now? After the assassination of Theo Van Gogh the atmosphere was very negative...


Kreeft: With people like Mr. Wilders it is not good at all. Yet another problem is the existence of various right-wing websites where people can write down anything and attack anybody, completely anonymously without using their names. I have been attacked many times, I am described on these websites as a Nazi, for example, or a defector, and so on.


(..)


Q: What is the NMP's message to Dutch society?


Kreeft: Don't be afraid – we don't want to establish a Muslim republic in the Netherlands! We are simply a Dutch Party, working within the law in Holland, and anybody can join us.


(more)


Source: Qantara (English)