Dutch minister want to revive imam-education in the Netherlands

The Dutch Minister of Education Jet Bussemaker wants to revive the professional education for imams and mental caregivers in the Netherlands. The few educational programs that were present in the Netherlands closed down three years ago. At the behest of Bussemaker the vocational schools Inholland and Windesheim and VU University Amsterdam (VU) have initiated serious…

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Muslim students in France condemn attacks, saying ‘we are united’ (video)

Etudiants Musulmans de France, a national association of Muslim students, issued a video statement condemning the Paris attacks and expressing grief and solidarity. The message is composed in an almost poetic style, and is being shared with the hashtag #NousSommesUnis — We Are United. “One for all and all for humanity. Nearly 120 dead. A hundred…

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Near completion of new mega mosque “De Westermoskee” in Amsterdam

The building of the Netherland’s largest mega mosque (800 square meter and room for 1700 worshippers) has sparked some controversy over the last two decennia of its establishment. For years the building process was frustrated by several conflicts between the initiating Islamic foundation and the municipality of Amsterdam and housing cooperatives. Despite these obstacles the…

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Return of the Jesus Wars

BEFORE “The Da Vinci Code” and “The Gospel of Judas,” before Mel Gibson’s “Passion” and Martin Scorsese’s “Last Temptation,” before the Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed and the Gnostic gospels rediscovered, there was a German scholar named Hermann Samuel Reimarus.   Today there are enough competing “real Jesuses” that it’s hard for a would-be Strauss…

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Baroness Flather’s anti-Muslim comments spark debate

26 November 2012   Baroness Flather, who was an influential member of the Conservative party, has come under heavy criticism after her remark that that all Muslims in Britain live on benefits.   She made the comments in support of a Conservative party adviser Lynton Crosby. Crosby led London Mayor Boris Johnson’s two election campaigns….

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