The mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, shocked some of the listeners of his radio interview with Dutch broadcaster NPO.

Aboutaleb discussed several things but caused commotion when he said that he sometimes considers himself a jihadist and that “every Muslim is a bit of a Salafist”.

The mayor said: “A Muslim who’s a Salafist wants to look like the Prophet.” When the interviewer asks: “So according to that definition you’re a Salafist as well?” The mayor answers with “Yes… all Muslims are for a small part Salafist”

He added: “Salafists can also be found among Christians, if you approach it linguistically. Salaf is a progenitor, and a Salafist is someone who wants to look like his progenitor. For example, a Muslim who wants to look like Mohammed. In Christianity you also have people who want to look like Christ in their actions. Every Muslim is a bit of a Salafist”.

About jihad Aboutaleb said: “I get up every day at 7 o’clock to do good for a city in the Netherlands. That is the jihad in its purest form.” He added there are several forms of jihad, “of which the armed struggle is only one form”.

The interview caused major uproar on social media with hundreds of people who were worried about his statements. Dutch politician Geert Wilders of the Freedom Party said:

Salafism is described as an ultra-conservative reform branch or movement within Sunni Islam. It advocated a return to the traditions of the Salaf, who are the first three generations of scholars after the Prophet Muhammad.

In Europe it is linked to multiple terrorist attacks and as the number of Salafists is growing in several countries, it is now seen as a serious threat for democracy and public safety.

https://voiceofeurope.com/2017/12/mu...krjHBE.twitter

wahbabik