Netherlands: Moroccan babies get only names approved by Morocco

"During my registration it was pointed out to me that I would have problems with 'my government' if I don't choose an approved name for my son. As if the Moroccan government is perceived as 'my government.'" Evidently it is, by both the Netherlands and Morocco.

A translation of this Dutch article from the Islam in Europe blog (thanks to Diana West):

It is insulting that the Netherlands cooperates with the discriminatory and Arabic-nationalistic police of the Moroccan government, according to Haarlem city council member Moussa Aynan. It bothers him that Dutch municipalities, including Haarlem, gives Moroccan parents, without any request for it, a list of names approved by the Moroccan government, when they want to register a birth.

Aynan: The list only contains Arabic names, not Berber or Christian and is therefore discriminatory.

Aynan (34) recently became the father of a son. "During my registration it was pointed out to me that I would have problems with 'my government' if I don't choose an approved name for my son. As if the Moroccan government is perceived as 'my government.'"

It especially bothers Aynan that the list is handed over without request to anybody with a Moroccan name. "I would feel somewhat better with it if it was first asked if somebody wanted to use the list."

Posted by Robert at April 18, 2007 1:28 PM
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