Dutch - Leftwing Greens: 'of Course Islam is a Problem'

Leftwing Green (GroenLinks) leader Femke Halsema has, unusually for her, expressed criticism of Islam. This religion is "of course a problem," she said yesterday in an interview with free newspaper De Pers. Confronted with the statement by the newspaper that the 'progressive' GroenLinks does not campaign against orthodox Islam, Halsema reacted dismissively.

"We do (criticise it). I am one of the few that criticises Saudi Arabia, along with (Geert) Wilders, for the violation of women's rights. I will always campaign fiercely against any suspected introduction of the Sharia." Asked next when she last made a vigorous attack, Halsema said this was three years ago. "The Budget Debate of 2006." At the time she characterised "fundamental Muslims, fundamental American Christians and the Roman Catholic Church" as "an axis of religious evil," because they oppress women.

"That is my most famous attack. I got in a lot a trouble." Invited to criticise Islam without making a parallel attack on Catholicism, Halsema did not shy away. "I notice it in my district: of course Islam is a problem. Anyway, specifically Islam in combination with illiteracy. It is: having few of your own opinions about the good life. (...) Being fearful of our society and thereby becoming very susceptible to what the Imam thinks, who is often very conservative."

"When I come to my children's school, it is sometimes difficult for me - I really come from the feminist movement - that I am then sitting between all kinds of veiled women. I will not attack their rights for this. But I cannot wait for the moment when they will freely throw off their headscarves. I would prefer to see every woman in the Netherlands scarf-less. And completely free. I do not believe that any God whatever imposes clothing demands. This has been done by the men who explain the faith."

Halsema is sending her children to a 'black' school in Amsterdam-Oost, but the GroenLinks leader confirmed that she is considering removing them. "The school performs well and they have their friends. But Islamic girls are often not allowed to come home to us to play, because my boyfriend collects the children in the afternoons. This has so far been no problem, because my daughter has other friends, but should she become lonely because of this, then we will look at it again."

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