Deutsch
English
FrançaisSub menu: Home
Home / Index of Authors
Lieben, Paul
2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Should there be a Muslim party in the Netherlands?
Editorialist Paul Lieben suggests creating a Muslim party in the Netherlands. "If you ask me, creating a Muslim party is not only something inevitable, but it's also a good thing. Not because I'm hoping for new ideas, but because there are hundreds of thousands of Muslims living in the Netherlands today. Some of them believe that it is important to have political representation for their beliefs. ... If we have to hold on to the separation of church and state, there shouldn't be religious political parties. In an ideal world (a secular one, in my opinion), I would be okay with this principle. But in actuality, this doesn't exist. The Dutch tradition advocates emancipating believers and integrating them, including via political parties. Thus, at a local level at The Hague, there is already such a party, Islam Democraten (ID), which even has a few seats."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Religion, » Netherlands
Can anything be a laughing matter in the Netherlands?
'Folia', the magazine published by Dutch students, has related the remarks made by an interpreter encountered at the Assoenna Mosque in Amsterdam. The interpreter appeals to Islam for justification of an attack on the stand-up comedian Ewout Jansen, known for his jokes about Muslims. The Mosque authorities have since condemned his words and denied having any connection with the man. "To make fun of Allah? Don't laugh or I'll shoot! If we go on like this in the Netherlands, certain expressions will need more than a little adaptation", considers the editorialist Paul Lieben. "Most humorists walk 'on egg shells' when it comes to mocking followers of Allah. Even the popular Najib Amhali refuses to answer questions when it comes to Islam and humour. ... Perhaps our 'right to laugh' should once and fo all be inscribed in the Constitution and 'relativizing through laughter' should be taught at school. ...For is it possible to sill live together when we cannot laugh together."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Religion, » Weltanschauung, » Netherlands
© 2005-2012