(National-UAE) Social deprivation and extremism are not always related, says Rotterdam’s Muslim mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb.
Mr Aboutaleb, who is of Moroccan descent, was appointed to his position in 2009, and is known for his strong belief in “inclusive society.”
“All arguments that justify how individuals were pushed towards ISIS because of social circumstances are wrong,” he told the National during a visit to Abu Dhabi.
The mayor, who came from a humble background, stressed that “poverty does not allow individuals to become killers.”
Religious texts are misunderstood and taken out of context, he said, adding that the Arabic language is so complex that reading one verse from the Quran cannot give a clear understanding of the holy book.
