MPs call for emergency debate on Islam conference

MPs have called for an emergency debate with justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin about a debate on the future of Islam in the Netherlands, due to take place at the end of May, the Telegraaf reports.


According to the Telegraaf, MPs are concerned about the involvement of a organisation known as the Muslim Brotherhood in the conference.
According to the Dutch security service AIVD, the brotherhood strives to encourage European Muslims to adopt an ultra orthodox version of Islam in which Islam determines all aspects of life.
The aim of the conference, entitled Islam in Holland – Meditating on the Present and Future Horizons, is to encourage ‘positive methodological dialogue between Muslims and Dutch political, intellectual and religious activists, hoping to clarify opinions and remove misunderstandings around controversial or critical issues’ according to the organisers.
The Volkskrant says two Dutch academics on the list of speakers – Leiden University professor Wasif Shadid and Ruud Peters of Amsterdam University – do not know the organisers and will not be attending.

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