Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
annex
anti-democracy
anti-integration
attack
Brussels
Cabinet
controversial
Copenhagen
criticism
Dick Schoof
foreign Imam
hate preacher
imam
imam gala
influential clerics
Islamic organization
jihadists
muslim
National Counterterrorism Coordinator
negative image
negative impact
non-Muslim
Paris
protect Muslims
radical Islamic individual
radicalization
receptive young people
revocation of visas
revoked
Rijswijk
risky
Salafists
societal peace
stability
threaten
Tweede Kamer
visa
Tuesday, March 3, 2015 - 16:50
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

"Very risky" Imam gala cancelled to protect Muslims

Speakers arranged for a controversial gala of Muslim imams were stripped of their visas to enter the Netherlands do to the "risky" nature of the event, and to protect Muslims, the National Counterterrorism Coordinator wrote in a letter to Parliament. The event was scheduled for March 8th in Rijswijk, but was cancelled by organizers who said the unfair depictions of their group in the media made it impossible to hold their gala. The visas of several of the Imams were revoked because of their "hate preacher" status. The counterterrorism office determined that such firebrand speakers could further strengthen anti-Muslim sentiment in the Netherlands, potentially causing a deeper rift in Dutch society. Such an event would be "very risky for Muslims and non-Muslims," Dick Schoof, National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism, writes in an appendix to a letter from his office to the Tweede Kamer lower house of Dutch parliament. "Some of them are known to be in contact with radical Islamic individuals or organizations. Based on previous speeches from some of the preachers, it can be assumed that their message can be strongly against integration and democracy," Schoof wrote. Authorities feel that the presence of these influential preachers can lead to the radicalization of young people who are receptive to their message. With the recent attacks in Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen, an event like this could threaten societal peace and stability, says Schoof. The government has faced criticism with their decision to revoke the visas, with some saying that the government actions further increase the negative image of Muslims, RTL Nieuws reports. Government says that there is nothing wrong with this kind of visa procedure. Even after granting a visa it can be withdrawn based on new information or circumstances.  

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Feyenoord falls to AS Roma in Conference League final
  • Sharp increase in data leaks through cyberattacks
  • Dutch monkeypox cases double to 12, says RIVM
  • Worst evening rush hour this year with 1,100 kilometers of traffic jams
  • Supporters in Rotterdam, Tirana ready to watch Feyenoord final
  • Cooperation with Chinese universities could be a risk: Education Min.

Top stories

  • Worst evening rush hour this year with 1,100 kilometers of traffic jams
  • Amsterdam pushes liveability for all; 7,500 new homes, car-free areas, regulated MDMA
  • Army won't help out at Schiphol yet
  • Albanian prince criticizes Feyenoord fans; 12 Dutch arrested in Tirana
  • Summer strikes at Schiphol if workload remains high: trade union
  • Schiphol crowds expected to continue; Airport boss leaves World Economic Forum early

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content