No Ban on Salafist Islam, Dutch Cabinet Says

Brussels, 19 Jumadil Awwal 1437/27 February 2016 (MINA) – The Dutch government will not introduce a ban on Salafist organisations in the Netherlands, as it would conflict with the individual right to freedom of religion, Dutch media reported.

“Our consititution is based on individual freedom,” social affairs minister Lodewijk Asscher told Dutch MPs.

“That is why the cabinet does not want to ban a religion or intervene in people’s personal religious beliefs”, Asscher added.

The Dutch Parliament in December called on the cabinet to look into banning Salafist organisations on accusations that they promote radicalisation, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting dutchnews.com.

Although Salafists believe in a unified Islamic state and Sharia law, they are not always politically radical, because they regard political involvement as un-Islamic. (R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)