Ahmed Aboutaleb, the mayor of Rotterdam and a Muslim whose father was an imam, addressed Dutch Muslims in uncompromising terms last week, on the day of the Charlie Hebdo terror attack.
A Labour politician and former government minister, Aboutaleb is known for his direct and sometimes rough language.
“It is incomprehensible that you can turn against freedom. But if you do not like freedom, in Heaven’s name pack your bag and leave,” said Aboutaleb.
“There may be a place in the world where you can be yourself,” he continued. “Be honest with yourself and do not go and kill innocent journalists. And if you do not like it here because humorists you do not like make a newspaper, may I then say you can f*ck off.”
Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb (R), chief-editor of Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad Christiaan Ruesink (L) and Frank Pauw (C) deputy chief constable of the police in Rotterdam observe a minute of silence in front of a banner reading ‘I am Charlie’ at Square 1940, in Rotterdam on January 8, 2015. (photo credit: Jerry Lampen/AFP)
Aboutaleb was voted mayor in 2008, and has repeatedly made headlines for his outspoken views on the integration of immigrants, including praise from London Mayor Boris Johnson.
“[His] is the voice of the Enlightenment, of Voltaire. We can and will protect this country against these jihadist thugs,” Johnson wrote in Monday’s Telegraph.
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