Orthodox Dutch Muslim organisation As-Soennah has welcomed remarks by Amsterdam police chief Bernard Welten that he would not enforce a proposed ‘burqa ban’.
A ban on wearing the full-face veil in public as proposed by the anti-Islam Freedom Party is included in the coalition agreement. But in a TV interview Mr Welten said his force would not arrest women for wearing the burqa or niqab. He admitted this was a form of “civil disobedience”.
On the website Al-yaqeen.com, the Salafist As-Soenna group praises Mr Welten's “courageous” remarks, adding “Evidently the Netherlands still has people in prominent positions whom it can be proud of.”
However, Mr Welten has come in for fierce criticism from the coalition parties, the VVD and Christian Democrats. A majority of MPs agree that he should withdraw his remarks and offer an apology. [RNW - News] Read more
