The minister, the imam and the handshake

The minister, the imam and the handshake

The minister, the imam and the handshake
by Robert Chesal and the RN Internet desk, 22 November 2004

Minister Rita Verdonk offers her hand to an imam, who respectfully told her that he could not shake a woman's hand (tv footage)
Dutch Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk has told Muslim clerics in the Netherlands that they need to assimilate into Dutch society.

The minister, a member of the liberal-conservative VVD party, delivered her message in person at the weekend when she attended a meeting with some 50 imams, saying that she wished to continue her dialogue with them next year, only then in the Dutch language. She also called for the creation of a course in the Netherlands to train new imams.

However, it was just one aspect of her meeting with the Muslim clerics that grabbed most of the headlines, namely her attempt to shake hands with one of the imams. The handshake was refused.

I think it's finally sinking in. Not all people are created equal. Justice for some. Tolerance is only for the intolerant. Ignorance is strength!

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