Ilyas El Yousfi was an imam at a mosque in The Hague, but now works in a youth institution. He still receives weekly requests to preach in a mosque that does not have an imam. He understands why many young people do not choose the profession. “It is hard work and the working conditions are not very good.”
Islam expert Enis Odaci points out that an imam has a broader role in the mosque than just a Friday sermon. “The Muslim community is just like other religious communities. It should provide support to young people, care for the elderly and advise on social issues and issues. Imams are particularly responsible for this.”
Internet
According to Odaci, the new generation of mosque-goers is more focused on the Netherlands. “In my opinion, the position of the imam was not sufficiently anticipated in that generational change.”
El Yousfi works a lot with young people and sees that if there is no permanent imam, the bond becomes less. “Then you see that they go to the Internet to look for answers.”
The Contact Body Muslims and Government CMO agrees. “And we don’t want that, because the risk of radicalization is greater there.” says chairman Köktas.
Solution
El Mousati would like to make young people enthusiastic about becoming imams. But training is expensive and takes years. To make it more attractive to young people, they have increased the salary for the imam in Gorinchem. “Because imams are often poorly paid.”
Several attempts for imam training in the Netherlands ultimately failed. Odaci thinks it will take a while before such training is available.
“Islam is under a political magnifying glass and the fear of an Islamic institution is clearly present. Politicians will then make all kinds of demands on the curriculum and the profile of the future imam graduate. You will then receive imams with a politically suitable resume, but also people who have no connection with a local community. I fear that a lot of Ramadan will pass before we really get there.”
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