Representative from the Netherland’s met with Muslim leaders in Michigan!

Jack R. Twiss, the head of the Political Section of the Netherland’s Embassy in Washington DC, visited Dearborn, Michigan and met with Muslim religious leaders and members of CIOM at the Arab American Museum in Dearborn to discuss the very controversial and anti Islamic movement by Geert Wilders, a member of the Netherland’s parliament.

Imam Elahi was one of the speakers who thanked the Dutch government for sending its representative to explain the current situation to the Muslim community. Imam stated that this movie is not about freedom of expression but an aggression against the Holy Quran, which is the foundation of Islam. The Dutch official explained the nature of the Netherland’s Constitution and the unfortunate and limited options his government is facing in this regard. Imam Elahi appreciated the fairness of the Dutch Constitution but added that if sacred subjects related to other communities and faiths were under attack instead of the Quran, would the government tolerate it as freedom of expression? If someone made a movie against the Holocaust, would that be tolerated under freedom of expression in the Netherlands?

Certainly blasphemy, attacking the integrity of other communities, using the language of hate and showing disrespect is not freedom of expression. All participants appreciated this meeting as an opportunity for dialogue and building better understanding among all nations and cultures. Mr. Twiss promised that the Dutch government would continue its efforts to solve this problem through legal channels.

Imam Elahi invited the Embassy official to make another trip to Michigan and address the Muslim congregation at Islamic House of Wisdom about this sensitive issue. Mr. Twiss gladly accepted the invitation and promised to come to Michigan again when his schedule permits!