AMSTERDAM- The Dutch city of Rotterdam and its university have fired Tuesday Swiss Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan after he hosted a program on an Iranian television channel, a joint media statement said, as the scholar said he would take the council to court for its politically motivated dismissal.The city of Rotterdam, where Ramadan has been an advisor to the mayor on issues of multi-culturalism since 2007, and Erasmus University, where Ramadan is a visiting professor of theology, said: "The reason is Tariq Ramadan's involvement with the Iranian television channel Press TV, which is incompatible with his functions."
"Press TV is a channel that is financed by the Iranian government," said the statement, adding "although there is no doubt about the personal effort of Tariq Ramadan, both boards find this indirect relation with this repressive regime or even to be associated with it, not acceptable."
Rotterdam's mayor is Ahmed Aboutaleb, a Muslim who was formerly junior minister for social affairs and who has vowed to ease tensions between the city's native Dutch and a growing immigrant population.
Ramadan said he would take the council to court.
"I am going to sue the municipality. It is a question of honor and dignity," he told public broadcaster NOS.
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