Controversial sheikh in Amsterdam tonight; Utrecht event cancelled

Controversial sheikh Adil Al-Kalbani is scheduled to speak at the An-Nasr mosque in Amsterdam-Oost on Wednesday night. He was also scheduled to speak in Utrecht on Friday, but the event has been cancelled due to the public unrest. Al-Kalbani from Mekka is considered controversial because of a statement he made about how all Jews and Christians should be expelled from the Arabian Peninsula. According to the Telegraaf, the An-Nasr mosque in Amsterdam was not available for comment on Wednesday, but sources within the district reported that the sheikh has decided to abandon this visit. It seems that Imam Laayoun, a moderate imam from Morocco, will speak in his place, but these reports are unconfirmed. Al-Kalbani's appearance in Utrecht has also been cancelled. The sheikh was scheduled to speak at the Essalaam mosque in Hooggraven on Friday. He was also scheduled to speak in a mosque in Groningen on Monday, but this event was also cancelled. The AD reports that the municipality of Utrecht was aware that the sheikh was coming to their city, but did not exert any pressure to stop it. But as it is a matter that "could potentially lead to social unrest", the lecture was discussed between the mayor, the police and judiciary, with almost daily contact with the mosque administration. "This past weekend they let us know that they have decided to cancel the meeting because they don't want a negative image in relation to their mosque and the Hoograven district and don't want to run any risk with regard to public order and safety." board member Belaid Idrissi said to the newspaper.