CDA INTRODUCES ISLAMIC PRAYER BEFORE PARTY MEETINGS

NIS News Bulletin
Oct 14, 2008
Netherlands

THE HAGUE, 04/10/08 – The Christian democrats (CDA) are presenting
a book on Saturday with 32 meditation texts. It is a collection
of spiritual reflections that are not only Christian in nature but
also Islamic.

"It is a common CDA tradition to open meetings with a meditation. But
we noticed that branches sometimes found it difficult to find an
appropriate text," as not all CDA members are Christian. "That is why
we put together the collection," says CDA spokesman Jo-Annes de Bat.

The book, called "Reflections for political meetings," will be
distributed among the CDA regional branches. The meditations were
written by a variety of CDA members: Roman Catholics, Protestants, one
Jew and two Muslims: MP Ceskun Coruz and ex-candidate MP Ayhan Tonca.

For his contribution to the book, Tonca has drawn on poetry of the
14th century Turkish poet Yunus Emre: "Allah praising and extolling,
for his qualities so unique, with godly reflection time after time,
shall I call on you, Lord, O Lord!" is in his contemplation.

In 2006, Tonca was a CDA candidate for the Lower House, but failure
to recognise the Armenian genocide by Turkey (1915-1917) led to his
withdrawal. The Turkish parliament then awarded Tonca the distinction
of ‘honorary parliamentarians.’

Tonca also chaired the Muslims and Government Consultative Body
(CMO). In this function, he termed the meanwhile world-famous Danish
Mohammed cartoons "unacceptable".

Another contribution to the book comes from Henk Hagoort. As well as
being a CDA member, he is chairman of the Dutch public broadcasters’
umbrella organisation. Other authors are former Premier Ruud Lubbers,
Defence State Secretary Jack de Vries and MPs Schinkelshoek, Sterk
and Ferrier.

"As CDA, the Bible is our guide, and as members, we find each other in
core values such as justice. But one council member derives inspiration
from the Bible and another from the Koran. We wanted to give this
scope to the authors of the meditations," says De Bat.

Tonca does not find the initiative surprising. "It would rather have
been odd if there was no meditation from a Muslim in it. We want to
create a society as the Creator intended. On that point, Muslims and
Christians can find each other within the CDA."