The mayor of the Amsterdam neighborhood Slotervaart, Ahmed Marcouch, has said that public schools ought to offer more space for religion, particularly Islam. According to Marouch, this would take some of the burden and responsibility off of the mosque, by allowing for a more open and public practice of religion for Muslim children and young people. Marcouch also wants creationism to be taught alongside evolution. According to him, public schools should also be more respectful of Muslim customs and holidays, and allow for space where children do not have to constantly justify headscarves, and gender segregated activities like swimming. The ultimate goal, said Mr. Marcouch, is to hope that a Muslim child can enter a public school without feeling like he has to renounce his religion.
