soc.culture.pakistan

Islamophobia 'on rise in Netherlands'
Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:38:06

The Muslim minority are facing violence and discrimination due to the new wave of Islamophobia
in the Netherlands, an anti-racism group says.

The findings were released in a report by a pan-European anti-racism commission, AFP reported.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) found that Islamophobia in the
Netherlands had 'increased dramatically' since 2000.

It also reported that Muslims were 'disproportionately targeted' by security policies and faced
racist violence and discrimination.

The report went on to add that this was fuelled by events both occurring within the country and
outside, such as the 9/11 attacks on the US.

"The tone of Dutch political and public debate around integration and other issues relevant to
ethnic minorities has experienced a dramatic deterioration". It warned of a "worrying
polarization between majority and minority communities.”

The country's Muslim community of around one million - six percent of the population - had also
faced 'stereotyping, stigmatizing', 'outright racist political discourse' and 'biased media
portrayal.'

EU ministers and Dutch Muslim groups have expressed grave concerns about plans by the far-right
Dutch lawmaker, Geert Wilders to make a blasphemous film about the Holy Qur'an.

SM/RE