Latest news with #Moroccan-Dutch
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Mosque in Netherlands Suspends Imam After Jerusalem Visit, Meeting with Israel President
Rabat – The Bilal Mosque in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, has announced the immediate suspension of Imam Youssef Msibih following his controversial meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem. Reports identified the suspended cleric as a Moroccan-Dutch imam, who was suspended from his duties after he joined a delegation of European Muslim leaders who met with Herzog on July 7. The European Leadership Network, an NGO that advocates for ties between Europe and Israel, organized the event. The visit sparked outrage and frustration among pro-Palestinians, who demanded an explanation from the mosque. In response, the mosque issued a statement in which it stressed that 'there is no place for the imam within the mosque.' The mosque's 'board bears no responsibility whatsoever for his statements or actions outside the mosque,' the statement added, noting that there is no longer any formal or substantive ties between the imam and the Bilal Alkmaar Mosque. Emphasizing that the case of the imam has already been addressed, the mosque emphasized that the suspended cleric acted in a personal capacity. 'His actions are entirely separate from the vision of the mosque,' the statement said, urging everyone not to place pressure on or interfere with the mosque's board, or its volunteers and members. The statement highlighted that the mosque promotes peace, adding that the deliberate spreading of rumors and false information could have serious consequences. It also warned that it explicitly reserves the right to take appropriate legal action in cases of defamation, slander, or incitement against individuals or groups who endanger the peace, dignity, or safety of the mosque or its community. Tags: imamIslam in the Netherlands
Ya Biladi
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan-Dutch imam suspended after controversial visit to Israel and meeting with Herzog
Moroccan-Dutch imam Youssef Msibih has made headlines this week following a controversial visit to Israel. Msibih, who had been serving at the Bilal Mosque in Alkmaar, Netherlands, was suspended from his duties after joining a delegation of European Muslim leaders that met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on July 7. The visit was organized by the European Leadership Network (ELNET), an NGO «dedicated to strengthening Europe-Israel relations». The Bilal Mosque responded swiftly, announcing on Instagram that its board had suspended Msibih «with immediate effect». In a follow-up statement published on its website, the mosque clarified: «There is no place for the imam within the mosque. The board bears no responsibility for his statements or actions outside the mosque. There is no longer any formal or substantive relationship between him and the Bilal Alkmaar Mosque». The statement stressed that Msibih acted «in a personal capacity and completely separate from the vision of the mosque and its community», adding: «There is no room for troublemakers or division». Photos and video footage shared by the Israeli President's official X (formerly Twitter) account show Msibih dressed in traditional Moroccan attire, singing a reinterpreted version of the Israeli national anthem in Arabic during the meeting. The delegation included 15 Muslim religious figures from across Europe—France, Italy, Belgium, the UK, and the Netherlands. Their itinerary featured visits to the Knesset, religious sites in East Jerusalem, and meetings with Israeli military officials and survivors of attacks. They are also scheduled to visit Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, and the site of an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv. President Isaac Herzog welcomed the group by underscoring the importance of Jewish-Muslim dialogue, framing the visit as a symbol of progress against «radical forces». 'You represent the world of brotherhood, humanity, and liberty'. The words of Imam Hassen Chalghoumi from France to me today. I was moved and inspired to meet him and a delegation led by @elnet_global of Imams and Muslim community leaders from across Europe. They stand bravely… — יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) July 7, 2025 Another Moroccan imam The group was led by Hassen Chalghoumi, a polarizing imam from Drancy, France, known for his pro-Israel stance. Other members included Noor Dahri, a UK-based counterterrorism commentator affiliated with the Henry Jackson Society, and Ali El Aarja, an imam of Moroccan descent based in Turin, Italy. Speaking to the Times of Israel, El Aarja, who heads the newly formed Italian Islamic Confederation (CIIN), said that «Morocco is a country open to all religions: Muslims, Christians, and Jews live together. We are here to send a message of peace—for our Palestinian brothers and our Jewish brothers. We do not want war; we hope we can return to dialogue». The Times of Israel also noted that Youssef Msibih has served as a religious leader in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Norway for nearly 20 years. According to a biography shared by ELNET, Msibih pursued Islamic studies at Al-Azhar University in Egypt before continuing his training at the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams and Mourchidines in Rabat, Morocco. A visit denounced in the Netherlands and Morocco The visit triggered strong backlash from Muslim clerics in the Netherlands. On July 7, the Initiative of Imams and Preachers in the Netherlands issued a scathing condemnation, calling the trip a «morally reprehensible act» that violates the principles of Islam and human dignity. The body accused the delegation of helping the «Zionist occupation regime» whitewash its image «tainted with the blood of innocent men, women, and children». Meanwhile in Morocco, The Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization condemned the visit as a «beyond-normalization crime», calling it a betrayal of religion and human values amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.
Morocco World
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘They Always Supported Me': Mohamed Ihattaren Chooses Morocco
Doha – Dutch-Moroccan football prodigy Mohamed Ihattaren has officially decided to represent Morocco at the international level. The 23-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for RKC Waalwijk in the Netherlands, announced his decision to switch allegiance after previously representing the Netherlands in youth categories. In an exclusive interview with Dutch media outlet SportNieuwsNL, Ihattaren confirmed his choice. 'Yes, for me, it will now be the Moroccan team. Morocco has always supported me,' he declared, ending years of speculation about his international future. Born on February 12, 2002, in Utrecht to Moroccan parents, Ihattaren holds dual Moroccan-Dutch nationality. He represented the Netherlands in multiple youth categories (U15, U16, U17, U19) but never made an appearance for the Oranje senior team. The talented midfielder was once considered one of Dutch football's brightest prospects. However, his promising career was derailed by both sporting difficulties and off-field problems, including legal issues in the Netherlands that seriously slowed his progress. Several years ago, Ihattaren emerged as a sensation in Dutch football. At just 17, the left-footed midfielder broke through at PSV Eindhoven, quickly becoming the new star of Dutch football. Despite being heavily courted by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), he initially chose the Netherlands under Ronald Koeman. At the time, a major announcement was made on the Dutch national team's social media channels, in partnership with his sponsor, Nike. Although called up multiple times to the Netherlands squad, he never officially debuted, spending two Nations League matches on the bench. After a promising start to his career, Ihattaren experienced a serious setback due to depression, a downward spiral, his father's death, alleged connections to criminal groups in the Netherlands, and weight problems. His situation became so dire that he considered retirement after nearly three years without playing football. His career has been marked by a series of club changes without playing time – Juventus, Sampdoria, Ajax, and Slavia Prague – all ending in difficult separations. He faced legal cases in the Netherlands, as he was accused of assault and threatening his ex-girlfriend. Since having his contract terminated by Slavia Prague in April, he had temporarily disappeared from the football radar. Last season, RKC Waalwijk took a chance on reviving his career, which proved relatively successful as he rediscovered his joy for football. He contributed 4 goals and 5 assists in 28 Eredivisie matches. Ihattaren now insists he has turned the page: 'I've found the joy of playing again.' This is encouraging news for those who never doubted his raw talent and still hope to see him shine at the highest level. Back in August 2019, then-Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic had already pre-selected him for two friendly matches. Ihattaren did not respond positively at that time. Today, his decision is final. The midfielder was recently spotted attending Glory 100, a kickboxing event where Moroccan-Belgian fighter Jamal Ben Saddik competed. 'I would have liked to see it end differently, but this is also the sports world,' Ihattaren said about Ben Saddik's match against Sofian Laïdouni. 'Sometimes it can end like this. But for me, he remains a winner.' Regarding his club future, Ihattaren remains open to possibilities. 'The Netherlands would be great, but Belgium is also not far from where I currently am. You never know what the future holds in football. The interest must be real, and they need to reach an agreement with my agent. Until then, I'll see what comes my way. I believe every step is the right one for me,' he explained. While he works to stabilize his club situation, his choice to represent Morocco's Atlas Lions could reinvigorate his career. It remains to be seen whether current Morocco coach Walid Regragui will offer him an opportunity in the national team. Tags: Atlas Lionsmohamed ihattarenMoroccan national footbal team
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan humanitarian's 38-year wheelchair mission threatened in the Netherlands
Mohammed Chaoui, founder of the Tangier Wheelchair Foundation, is at risk of pausing his decades-long mission of collecting and sending refurbished wheelchairs to Morocco. The old Ritmeester cigar factory in Veenendaal (Utrecht), which currently serves as his base, is set to be demolished by July 1 to make way for 170 new homes, reports RTV Utrecht. Since founding the organization in 1986, after meeting a man in Tangier who had never seen a wheelchair, Chaoui has shipped up to 300 wheelchairs and other medical equipment each year to Morocco, including sports wheelchairs for athletes. The Moroccan-Dutch humanitarian has always operated from buildings awaiting demolition in order to keep costs low. With no income from his work and no affordable alternative yet found, he fears he may be forced to halt operations temporarily. Chaoui has appealed to the municipality of Veenendaal for help but has not yet secured a new location. «I am now 65 years old, but as long as I am healthy, I want to keep doing this. But I cannot continue without a building. So I'm really hoping someone has space for me in Veenendaal or just outside», he pleaded.
Ya Biladi
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan-Dutch coaches seek UEFA PRO diploma via Morocco
Moroccan former professional footballer and current Sparta assistant coach Nourdin Boukhari is working to obtain the UEFA PRO diploma through Morocco, after being deemed ineligible for the course in the Netherlands for now. «Yes, I'm trying», Boukhari said on ESPN's Goedemorgen Eredivisie. «I've indicated to the KNVB that I want to do UEFA PRO to get my highest coaching credentials. But to qualify for that, I first have to train a team independently for one year. Only then can I do UEFA PRO with the KNVB». With that requirement standing in his way, Boukhari is turning to the Moroccan Football Federation, which is opening its doors to Moroccan-Dutch coaches based in Europe. «The Moroccan association has indicated that they want to give Moroccan-Dutch trainers in the Netherlands the opportunity to grow as a trainer in Morocco», he said. «They want to arrange that paper for you there. For that, you have to be in Morocco a few times, also be on the field, and then they look at the qualities that you have. They also want to come to the Netherlands a few times. And then there are a lot of online meetings», he explained. He's not alone. Others going through the same process include Saïd Bakkati, Ali Boussaboun, Oussama Assaidi, Karim El Ahmadi, and Khalid Sinouh. «I am trying to complete that as soon as possible», Boukhari said. «But that piece of paper is only valid in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They are working on making that diploma valid in Europe as well».
