Dutch Mosque Suspends Imam After Israel Delegation Visit

Youssef Msibih, an imam at the Bilal Mosque in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, was suspended and severed ties with the mosque after joining a delegation of European Muslim leaders who visited Israel and met with President Isaac Herzog. During the visit, Msibih notably sang a reinterpretation of the Israeli national anthem in Arabic, sparking controversy and backlash from pro-Palestinian groups. The mosque emphasized that Msibih acted in a personal capacity and that his actions were separate from the mosque's vision, warning against pressure on its community and reserving the right to pursue legal action against defamation. The delegation aimed to promote interfaith dialogue and peace, with Herzog praising their visit as a sign of moral courage and bridge-building amid ongoing conflict. The trip, organized by the European Leadership Network (ELNET), involved visits to sites significant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and engagement with diverse communities in the region. Despite the mosque's call for unity and tolerance, the imam's actions led to his immediate suspension and removal from the mosque's official platforms.