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Volkskrant building in Amsterdam, 2009 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Janericloebe)
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Volkskrant building in Amsterdam, 2009 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Janericloebe)
Friday, 19 August 2016 - 12:40
Muslim man shocked to find himself on front page of Dutch newspaper
Dutch Muslim Mohammed Rashid was shocked to wake up on Tuesday morning and find a photo of himself on the front page of the Volkskrant. The photo clearly shows his face, sitting in his car and talking to an officer while an armed soldier stands in the background. The (translated) headline reads: "Is Schiphol still safe?".
Rashid did not give the photographer or the newspaper permission to use the photo and so decided to write a letter of complaint to the Volkskrant, which he also posted on Facebook.
Rashid feels that the newspaper is guilty of the "oh so well known 'framing' of the news over Muslims."
"The editor obviously tried to make the front page as exciting as possible. And what could be more exciting as playing into the current association of Muslims with violence? This kind of photo opens the doors to fear and to further polarization within society." Rashid writes. "And to be honest, I hoped that a respected quality newspaper like yours would not try to get publicity in such a cheap way."
According to Rashid, the photo did considerable damage to his reputation. "My family were worried I was detained or in trouble in another way. My parents, my wife and my children are concerned that this could effect my image within our neighborhood." He's had calls from friends and relatives, asking for an explanation.
"Through this letter I state that I in no way gave permission to photographer Guus Dubbelman to take a picture of me, and I gave the Volkskrant no permission to publish this photo." By doing so the Volkskrant "1) violated my privacy in a very unpleasant way, 2) the Volkskrant and photographer violated my portrait right and 3) the Volkskrant is clearly guilty of 'framing' the coverage of Muslims."
Rashid adds that he is considering taking legal action against the newspaper and expects an apology from the Volkskrant.