Dutch police officers swear allegiance to Allah

Dutch police in the Gouda region have sworn in police officers who swore allegiance to Allah. The small Christian party SGP has demanded an explanation from the government.

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Under current arrangements, police in the Netherlands can choose between the Christian oath ('So help me God Almighty) and the neutral vow ('I declare and promise...'). But it has been revealed that n Gouda, the option has existed for years for Islamic officers to use the oath that runs: 'In the name of Allah, the Merciful Compassionate, and he is my witness that I promise this.' The hand must be placed on the Koran for this. In reactions to questions put by SGP MP Van der Staaij to Home Affairs Minister Guusje ter Horst, the Gouda corps claims the Allah oath has not been used for the last six months. According to a spokesman, doubts arose on the legitimacy of the Islamic oath. The Council of State, the highest administrative court, ruled in 2002 that alternative oaths should not be allowed. More...

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