An umbrella organisation for Moroccans in the Netherlands, the SMN, last week raised the alarm about the clergymen's trip to Morocco. The conference, organised and paid for by the Moroccan government, was reportedly intended to give the spiritual leaders religious instruction. The imams in the group allegedly left on the quiet, without asking their employers, the mosque councils, for permission.
'Unacceptable'
Habib Khaddouri of the SMN feels it is unacceptable that the Moroccan government should interfere in the religious affairs of Moroccans in the Netherlands.
Driss al-Boujoufi of the CMO, an organisation which serves as a conduit between the Muslim community and the government, does not understand what the fuss is all about.
"We are talking about a conference at which imams and spiritual councillors exchange ideas on problems involving young people and radicalisation."
Mr Boujoufi, who said he was not sure whether the conference was organised by the Moroccan government, said that spiritual councillors who work in prisons were invited because young inmates are often susceptible to radical ideas.
Hiding its real intentions
Mr Khaddouri of the SMN believes the Moroccan government uses the argument of fighting terrorism to hide its real intentions, namely tightening its grip on Dutch Moroccans.
The past year saw a whole series of incidents which proved that the Moroccan government is working hard to get a grip on Moroccan migrant communities. There was quite a commotion about Moroccan government attempts to recruit European members for a special advisory body to the king. Emigration Minister Mohammed Ameur used no uncertain terms when he referred to the Moroccan migrant community in Europe as the country's seventeenth province.
Last month it was revealed that a Dutch police officer of Moroccan descent was spying for the Moroccan secret service. He was gathering information on Moroccan jihadists in the Netherlands. The Moroccan government is terrified that young people will adopt radical ideas in the Netherlands and come to Morocco to carry out attacks.
Moroccan government interference with Dutch citizens is a sensitive subject in The Hague. In a special debate, MPs from parties across the political spectrum expressed their concern at Moroccan meddling in Dutch affairs. Socialist Party MP Sadet Karabulut wondered how it was possible for clergymen on the justice ministry's payroll to travel to Morocco, without permission, to receive 'instructions'. Green Left MP Tofik Dibi, himself of Moroccan descent, complimented the Dutch-Moroccan community on its indignation about Moroccan government interference. He felt their stance was proof of their loyalty to the Dutch state.
* RNW translation (gsh)
Tags: imams, Morocco, Netherlands, radicalisation