Islamophobia in the Netherlands, is more widespread than thought
This fact was stated by an honorary professor from the University of Amsterdam, Frank Bovenkerk. "Until suddenly, the questionnaire showed the development of great resistance against Islam. The researchers argue: unlikely, so strayed from the past. But the reality is like that, 'he said as quoted by the website Nederland radio.
"Then the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2004 murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh took place. Dutch politics only fueled hatred against Islam," said Bovenkerk. "When deputy prime minister Gerrit Zalm said after Theo Van Gogh's assassination: 'We are at war'."
Unlike in the United States. "The first thing President George Bush did after September 11 was visit the mosque because he thought: 'I must not damage relations with the Muslim community.' So there they are more careful. But in the Netherlands we are very easy on politicians like Pim Fortuyn and later Geert Wilders, who play against Islam for political gain. "
Incident
Ineke van der Valk conducts research on "Islamophobia and discrimination," as the title of the book has just been published. He recorded 117 incidents at mosques in the Netherlands between 2005 and 2010. The number of incidents in the United States during the same period was 42, including arson, graffiti and vandalism.
"Letters containing powder, threats via telephone or actions such as hanging a dead sheep on the mosque wall, accompanied by the words 'No Mesjid!' Or pig's head. Or smearing the walls of the mosque with the blood of sheep or pigs, which for Muslims is seen as provocation and insult. "
Incidents like this are common in small towns. In big cities, the acceptance of immigrants is better because they have lived longer there, the researcher argues.
Lawsuit
But not all incidents are reported. Sometimes on police advice, or because the mosque leadership was afraid of repetition. But also to some extent due to indifference, said Aissa Zanzen of the Moroccan Mosque Organization in Amsterdam and beyond.
"People argue: it will happen anyway. Society is getting hardened, the situation is like that, and every time you hear in the media that Muslims are the scapegoats for everything. Besides that, people also argue: the police won't do anything anyway, and filing a lawsuit will take time. Another factor is language mastery which can be a barrier. "
Perpetrators are rarely tracked: 99 of the 117 cases the culprit is unknown. "It makes people think, '' said Van der Valk," It is time for the judiciary and the police to act more decisively on this matter. "
Internet
There is more Islamophobia on the internet. Ronald Eissens of the Internet Discrimination Reporting Center said: "In 2011 there were 290 reports of allegations of Islamophobia, and nearly a fifth of all reports were related to discrimination."
Discrimination on the Dutch-language internet is increasingly becoming "mainstream", adds Eissens: "From dimly lit and dark places to places where it is getting lighter and lighter, namely to popular web site forums that many people read."
Values
What can be done? Ineke van der Valk: "We have to seriously tackle social issues which play a part in why someone discriminates. A person who has been a victim of a crime by a Muslim will quickly discriminate. "
In addition, public openness must be emphasized and the values of pluralism must be upheld. Norway was very good at responding to the situation after the Anders Breivik attack, said Ineke van der Valk.
"Dutch politicians can learn from Norway. Because here, they tend to look away and hope that Islamophobia will pass by itself. We have to come up with more of our own stories and stand strong for the values that we consider important to democracy and the rule of law. " (Mel / Radio Netherlands / rnw.nl). *