AMERICAN FOOTBALL

The son of an imam, Ahmed Aboutaleb, born in Morocco, has been named in Rotterdam, the first Muslim mayor of the first port in Europe, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. "More than some Dutch Dutch", in his own words, the Labor pasa hesitate castigate those who do not accept the values of the Netherlands. " 

In the boardroom throne City portrait of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Around on the paneling, Juliana ensure his ancestors, and Wilhelmine Emma.En face, the mayor called Ahmed. 

In Rotterdam, some were "shocked" at annonced the appointment * of this work, born in Morocco. Ahmed Aboutaleb, he remains impassive: he "understands the concerns and advocates' confidence." Geert Wilders, the member right provocateur, author of a film on Islam questioned would have preferred it to be "Mayor of Rabat:" Appointing a Moroccan mayor of the second city in the country is as crazy as to appoint a Dutch mayor of Mecca "Yet, Morocco, which he left at age 15, does not Aboutaleb much. If it keeps its green passport because, under Moroccan law, "we can not make it." After 32 years in the Netherlands, I am certain that Dutch Dutch, exclaims he says. All I do is think and Dutch. " 

The son of an imam, who was born in 1961 in Beni Sidel, a village nestled in the mountains of Rif, Aboutaleb left behind "a small house without electricity or running water." It is not his childhood dream of becoming a poet. An engineer by training, he was a journalist and spokesperson for the Minister. Without being presented to voters, a member of the Labor Party (PvdA) becomes, in January 2004, Mayor (Deputy Mayor) of Amsterdam, in charge of education and youth. A few months before the assassination of controversial filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, stabbed and slain by an Islamist in the street. In a famous speech at the mosque Alkabir, following the tragedy, Ahmed Aboutaleb launches its adherents: "Stop taking for victims. If you do not want to integrate, go! "His positions - he opposes the wearing of the burka, does not hesitate to sanction those who cheat the benefits and is" weird "several of the Danish cartoons of Mohammed - it worth of death threats. "This collaboration represents the interests of whites," are worried immigrants. Since then, he lived under close protection, like Geert Wilders. 

In 2007, the grand coalition (Christian Democrats - Labor) provides a secretariat of State for Social Affairs. Then, last January, he moved to the city hall of Rotterdam. With its 584 000 inhabitants, of which 47% of foreign origin and about 15% Muslims, Rotterdam is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Bastion of Pim Fortuyn, the populist and xenophobic leader assassinated in 2002, "is also a town riven by tensions," said Ronald Sörensen, head of Leefbar Rotterdam (Rotterdam liveable), who took over the movement of Fortuyn. Lefbaar Rotterdam holds 14 of the 45 city council seats, Labor 18. "Many people here feel invaded by foreigners, is a former history professor. So when we saw a mayor who was born in Morocco ... " 

But the day after the installation of the new mayor, the heirs of Fortuyn change their minds: "I enjoyed it swears by asking the help of God, not Allah says Sörensen . And when he suggested the need to get rid of Tariq Ramadan (Islamic studies professor who advises the municipality of Rotterdam since 2007, Ed), I could not believe my ears! If we spoke like him, it would be treated as racist! "In this" divided city, "says the mayor, my priority is to create a society of trust. Because the confidence is high, the less one has to pay for police and justice "to" young Moroccans in Rotterdam, "he promises to treat them" as I treat all young people. If you do something good, you can count on my soutien.Mais if you want to cause chaos, I will be ruthless. " 

For some, the main harm to Aboutaleb would not have been born in Morocco but coming from Amsterdam and, above all, be a supporter of football club Ajax, Feyenoord worst enemy of Rotterdam! Hit a "Jewish label" since claiming supporters of the Jewish community in Amsterdam so ostentatious display of the symbols of Judaism, Ajax is still hosted in Rotterdam not pro-Hamas songs and recalling chuintements rooms gas. To protest against a ban on travel to the Ajax stadium, tens of Feyenoord supporters marched in the streets of Rotterdam in late February. 'Jews, beware, the army of Mohammed will come to kill you, "they shouted, calling this same" dirty Jew "Ahmed Aboutaleb to" finish in a gas chamber. " Wishing to "avoid escalation," the mayor had abandoned any pursuit. For Ronald Sörensen is "evidence that the rhetoric is not enough: I await the facts." 

He is not alone. Crime is increasing, alarmed the opposition. Unemployment as well. And, far from the glittering glass facades of skyscrapers downtown, the neighborhoods are changing. "Churches mosques appear ETDES disappear, said the mayor. This makes people uncomfortable. " Arthur Rath had to sell his bar Zuid Boulevard four years ago, "when all the shops closed one by one, replaced by Afro hairdressers or halal butchers, subsidized by the municipality at the time." Today, the bar is Turkish mosque and a huge gray, flanked by two minarets, is being built a bit lower. "I hope that immigrants will have respect for Mr. Aboutaleb, sighs Arthur Rath. Because for us they do not. "Even uncertainty on the side of immigrants. Cihan, security, doubt: "He dare not take our party, otherwise it will hurt to see the whites." Inevitably compared to Obama, Aboutaleb is parallels with the American president. But this "Obama-sur-Meuse" wants to be judged on its results, not on color. " "If I succeed, I will be a key for immigrants persuaderles they can gain power," he concludes. If I fail, it will have enormous consequences for those who come after me. " 

* In the Netherlands, mayors are appointed by the government and the Queen.