The Netherlands divided over army imam

The Dutch army is to have its first Muslim imam. But the candidate for this post, Imam Ali Eddaoudi from Morocco, is a controversial figure owing to his criticism of Dutch military involvement in Afghanistan. In the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant politicians and pastors condemn the criticism voiced mainly by right-wing parties: "Let's not undermine freedom of expression. If citizens are denied the right to exercise certain functions on the basis of their views we move worryingly close to countries where there is no separation of powers. … We see the written word as an important asset in our democratic constitutional state. And within that state we have agreed that it applies to everyone, irrespective of their background, gender or religious beliefs. Ali Eddaoudi must not become the victim of politicians who don't know the true value of freedom of expression and only apply it selectively."

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