Rotterdam court rejects Muslim scholar Ramadan’s lawsuit over dismissal

Rotterdam court rejects Muslim scholar’s lawsuit

AMSTERDAM — A Dutch court has rejected a wrongful dismissal lawsuit brought by prominent Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan, saying the city of Rotterdam had good reasons for ending his contract.

The Swiss-born Ramadan was dismissed from positions at Erasmus University and the city in August 2009 after he hosted a program on Iranian state television.

The city said Ramadan’s TV appearance could be seen as endorsing the regime as it cracked down on protestors following presidential elections.

Ramadan had asked for €84,048 ($109,000) in pay and damages. His contract ran through 2011. He now has a professorship at Oxford.

The court in Rotterdam said Wednesday Ramadan failed to understand the size of the problem and his public support was gone.