Posted on 07/10/2008 2:46:39 PM PDT by knighthawk
THE HAGUE, 11/07/08 - Prominent members of the Christian democratic (CDA), Labour (PvdA) and conservative (VVD) parties appear to be involved with the controversial movement of Turkish Imam Fethullah Gulen. Among them is 'integration through dialogue' guru Doekle Terspstra (CDA), according to Elsevier magazine.
Last week, TV programme Nova reported that numerous organisations in the Netherlands are affiliated to the Gulen movement. They appear to act as though they consider integration important, but are in reality aiming for Islamisation, various sources told Nova. One of these organisations is the association of Turkish entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, HOGIAF, according to the programme.
HOGIAF's advisory board consists of prominent members of CDA, PvdA and VVD, the traditional 'big three' in Dutch politics. On behalf of CDA, as well as Doekle Terpstra, former Economic Affairs State Secretary Yvonne van Rooy is a member. For the PvdA, the FNV union federation's former chairman Lodewijk de Waal is on the HOGIAF committee, as is former Utrecht mayor Annie Brouwer. And former VVD MP Bibi de Vries is also a member, according to Elsevier.
The advisory board is chaired by Mohamed Sini, the founder of the Muslims and Government Consultative Body (CMO), officialy recognised by the government as its dialogue partner. The general director and secretary of HOGIAF is Ahmet Taskan, a CDA local council member in Utrecht.
Doekle Terpstra launched the media campaign Naming and Building (Benoemen en Bouwen) half a year ago. In it, he gathered writers, scientists and politciians people around him to oppose Party for Freedom (PVV) MP Geert Wilders. Incidentally, nothing more has been heard lately of the campaign, which was intended to become a 'movement.'
Terspstra insists there is nothing wrong with HOGIAF. After seeing the NOVA broadcast, he made contact with the foundation and requested clarification. The answer reassured him. "HOGIAF has no religious direction and nothing to do with Fethullah Gulen," Elsevier quoted him as saying. Terpsra also chairs HBO Council, the umbrella organisation for colleges (HBOs) and was until 2005 chairman of the CNV union federation.
Professor of Turkish languages and cultures Erik Jan Zurcher, warned in NOVA of just such naivety. The organisations are accustomed to denying links with Gulen, he said, adding: "The Dutch government is much too ready to give money to migrant organisations that know to push the right buttons."
As far as is known, HOGIAF receives no subsidies, but various alleged Gulen boarding schools in the Netherlands do (2 million euros), as does the Consmicus College (300,000 euros). This is a secondary school in Rotterdam that educates Turkish children as world citizens. At least, so believed the then Education Minister Maria van der Hoeven when she provided a startup subsidy and personally opened the school two years ago.
A House majority of PvdA, VVD and the Socialist Party (SP) wants PvdA Ministers Ella Vogelaar (Integration) and Guusje ter Horst (Home Affairs) to launch an in-depth investigation of the Gulen movement in the Netherlands.
Ping
I wonder what Geert Wilders has to say about this???
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