Dutch imams promoting 'shared' values
- added May 28, 2008
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Imams in Dutch mosques usually preach the same virtues & values in their sermons commonly accepted by other Dutch people (which is important) according to a recent study.
Fred Leemhuis, professor of Arabic at Groningen University points out:
"The image of Dutch imams is based on comments by two or three radical salafi [fundamentalist] Imams, who continually turn up in the media. We wanted to find out what Dutch mainstream imams are really preaching. And, in particular, which virtues they're commending to their congregations."
SERMONS ANALYSED
The sermons of six randomly chosen Dutch Imams from different ethnic backgrounds who were also extensively interviewed were analysed by Mr Leemhuis & Anand Blank.The study shows that the opinions of the imams are very moderate and hardly differ from those of other Dutch people.
"What is noticeable about the sermons of the imams is that a large majority represent a kind of moderate middle-of-the-road orthodoxy. Not extreme either one way or the other."
ORIENTATED TOWARDS NETHERLANDS
The study showed the imams are more orientated towards Netherlands as they come up with the same problems and solve them in the same way. They also use the same sources when they write their sermons. Mr Leemhuis cites an example in the shape of the book entitled: 'Gardens of the virtuous people'.
"A beautiful, pious collection of stories about the life of the prophet Mohammed which is also available in Dutch."
SAME VIRTUES
According to Mr Leemhuis the virtues that the Imams present to their audiences are the same as the ones that score high among other groups of Dutch people: respect, consideration, reliability and openness.
Two virtues stand out in their sermons: the necessity of good neighbourliness and showing respect towards others.
"Most imams say in their sermons and in interviews that the main thing is to be a good neighbour."
SHARED OPINIONS
Mr Leemhuis believes the shared opinions of Muslims and other Dutch people about virtuous behaviour provide a good opportunity for Dutch politics:
"If you want to promote the integration of Dutch Muslims and non-Muslims, you have to emphasise the things they have in common and things they can identify with."
Fred Leemhuis, professor of Arabic at Groningen University points out:
"The image of Dutch imams is based on comments by two or three radical salafi [fundamentalist] Imams, who continually turn up in the media. We wanted to find out what Dutch mainstream imams are really preaching. And, in particular, which virtues they're commending to their congregations."
SERMONS ANALYSED
The sermons of six randomly chosen Dutch Imams from different ethnic backgrounds who were also extensively interviewed were analysed by Mr Leemhuis & Anand Blank.The study shows that the opinions of the imams are very moderate and hardly differ from those of other Dutch people.
"What is noticeable about the sermons of the imams is that a large majority represent a kind of moderate middle-of-the-road orthodoxy. Not extreme either one way or the other."
ORIENTATED TOWARDS NETHERLANDS
The study showed the imams are more orientated towards Netherlands as they come up with the same problems and solve them in the same way. They also use the same sources when they write their sermons. Mr Leemhuis cites an example in the shape of the book entitled: 'Gardens of the virtuous people'.
"A beautiful, pious collection of stories about the life of the prophet Mohammed which is also available in Dutch."
SAME VIRTUES
According to Mr Leemhuis the virtues that the Imams present to their audiences are the same as the ones that score high among other groups of Dutch people: respect, consideration, reliability and openness.
Two virtues stand out in their sermons: the necessity of good neighbourliness and showing respect towards others.
"Most imams say in their sermons and in interviews that the main thing is to be a good neighbour."
SHARED OPINIONS
Mr Leemhuis believes the shared opinions of Muslims and other Dutch people about virtuous behaviour provide a good opportunity for Dutch politics:
"If you want to promote the integration of Dutch Muslims and non-Muslims, you have to emphasise the things they have in common and things they can identify with."
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