Posted on 02/22/2005 7:29:38 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
AMSTERDAM — Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk is moving to deport three Muslim clerics because of accusations they represent a threat to public order and national security.
The three imams will be declared undesirable aliens and two of them will have their residence permits cancelled, the first such action has been taken against clerics.
In the third imam's case, an application for an extension of a residence permit will be refused.
The Dutch security service AIVD said one of the imams originates from Bosnia and a second comes from Kenya. The origin of the third imam was not released, newspaper De Volkskrant reported.
Minister Verdonk took the decision in consultation with Interior Minister Johan Remkes. This represents the first active step in the government's plan to crackdown on Islamic extremism.
Inquiries by the AIVD indicated that the imams "contribute to the radicalisation of Muslims in the Netherlands", the Justice Ministry said on Tuesday. All three imams work at the Al Fourkaan mosque in Eindhoven.
The ministry claims the imams tried to recruit, or tolerated the recruiting, of Muslims for Jihad, or holy war. They are also accused of using their sermons to urge Muslims to "isolate" themselves from the rest of Dutch society.
The AIVD said the mosque in Eindhoven disseminated the Salafist philosophy — which is strongly opposed to Western society and the imams there were sponsoring aversion of the West in their sermons.
The Dutch Cabinet "declared war" on Islamic extremism following the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an alleged Islamic militant in November last year. One of the methods the government announced it would use was the expulsion of "radical imams".
It has increased funding for the AIVD and judiciary and announced legislation forcing suspected terrorists to regularly report to police. Mosques also promised to keep closer tabs on extremism.
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam and other areas such as train stations have been declared permanent security zones. Members of the public entering these areas can be picked out at random by the police and frisked.
The deportation comes after the AIVD pinpointed Eindhoven in recent years as a "hotbed" of terrorism. A total of 100 to 200 Muslims are currently under surveillance across the country.
Hey Bush! Take notice!
Maybe they ought to reconsider the cause ~ this time check out any sign that there was a bomb under construction that just "went off".
This is admirable. The Dutch can be tough when they need to be. I wish we could say that we do the same. There are quite a few people I would like to deport on grounds of sedition.
The DC area is where the alleged potential Bush assassin lived.
I know. I live in the middle of 70,000 potential terrorists. We know that some of the highjackers stayed at safe houses here. This is also where some got their drivers licenses. When you have a chance sometime, go to MAS and read 'Ask the Imam.' Read his bio. It will make you sick.
"Hey Bush! Take notice!"
He still thinks Islam is the religion of peace.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.