Initial grant for training imams
Government.nl
February 2, 2005
Amsterdam Free University has been awarded an initial grant of 1.5 million euro to develop a master's programme for training Muslim clergy. The first students will begin in autumn 2005.
In late 2004, Rutte called on Dutch universities to submit proposals for an Islamic training course. Four universities responded, but only Amsterdam Free University (the VU) will receive an initial grant.
Rutte was impressed not only with the content of the VU's proposal but also with its long experience of Islamic education and its good contacts in the Islamic world.
The first trainee imams will start studying in autumn 2005 and graduate in 2006. The initial grant will be used mainly to recruit teaching staff.
Leiden University's proposal was, in Rutte's view, inconsistent with government policy. It was aimed at Turkish students from outside the Netherlands, whereas the government wants Dutch programmes for trainee imams to cater for students resident in the Netherlands - and not only those of Turkish parentage.
The proposals by Groningen University and the University for Humanistics were also rejected.
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