Uproar at minister’s remarks about Sharia

Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner believes that if, some time in the future, two-thirds of Dutch citizens believe that Sharia, Islamic law, should be introduced in the Netherlands, then it must be allowed. That, says the minister, is the ultimate consequence of democracy.

Mr Donner is a distinguished jurist, the product of a long line of Dutch protestant aristocrats and a prominent Christian Democrat politician. He presents this viewpoint in a book due to be published in the near future.

Read full political analysis: Radio Netherlands, 13 September 2006