Netherlands: Controversy over arrival of preacher

Netherlands: Controversy over arrival of preacher

Parliament members Geert Wilders and Sietse Fritsma of the Party for Freedom (PVV) want clarifications about the arrival of the controversial Islamic preacher Khalid Yasin to the Netherlands.  Various countries warn that the preacher spreads inciting messages.

Khalid Yasin was invited by the "ontdek islam" (discover Islam) organization and will have two lectures twice next week for converts at the Islamic University of Rotterdam.  the PVV called the preacher's arrival "not particularly integration-promoting."

Yasin thinks among other things that Muslims shouldn't have infidel friends.  The preacher also claims that Africans were infected with AIDS by America and Western countries in cooperation with aid organizations, writes Metro.

The PVV wants Eberhard van der Laan (minister of integration) to explain "how in heaven's name is is possible that this sheik is allowed to come here to sow hatred?"

The party prefers that Yasin won't be allowed into the Netherlands.  They also want more explanation about the inviting organization 'ontdek Islam'.  If this group gets subsidies from the government, PVV wants to immediately stop the flow of money.

The Islamic University defends itself against the criticism.  "We're just renting a hall to the speaker," according to the organization.  About the confrontation with a number of Yasin's statements they responded that "something radical can certainly be found about everybody."

Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)

No comments: