The Christian democrats (CDA) should focus more on Muslims in recruiting voters and members in big cities, the CDA & Islam working party advises in a report.
The working party investigated what the CDA has to offer to believers “who have the Koran as first source of inspiration." If CDA politicians immerse themselves more in their problems, much support is to be won under “city Muslims” in particular, according to the report.
Young Muslims in big cities do not see themselves in the party, although they would fit in with the CDA, according to the working party. If it comes to the body of thought, manner of living, standards and values and the importance of family, there are many similarities.
The fact that there is nonetheless a lack of following in the cities could be because the CDA has become alienated from the city. In fifteen years’ time, the number of seats held by the CDA in the big cities has been halved.
To show that the core values of Muslims and Christian democrats regarding the state and society are largely in agreement, a summary of six themes where they have much in common is included in an appendix. They are solidarity, justice, responsibility and sustainability but also equality of all people and freedom of religion. Texts are included from both the Bible and the Koran to demonstrate the alleged similarities.
The study was undertaken after the CDA had opted in 2010 for the controversial partnership with the Party for Freedom (PVV). Opponents of this construction forced an investigation of whether followers of Islam actually do have a fully equal position in the party.
The report was drawn up under the responsibility of former Foreign Minister Ben Bot. The CDA branches will now discuss the report.