Dr Dick Van Der Meij

Indonesia/Netherlands

Muslim Integration in the Netherlands: Possibilities and Constraint

Abstract

Muslims in the Netherlands originate from various ethnic and other backgrounds and have varying histories with their engagement in Dutch society and they also do not necessarily share the same ideas about Islam. This means that it is impossible to consider Muslims as an undivided entity. Muslims themselves are also clearly aware of this and are not always in agreement on many issues let alone on how to solve them.

Dutch society is plural and urban situations and conditions are vastly different from those in rural areas. Some cities have large, often concentrated enclaves of Muslims and problems of mutual integration and inclusion thrive in these cities. (The name mostly given to newly born baby boys in Amsterdam is.... Muhammad. When this was broadcasted many Dutch were abhorred.) Dutch society consists of 16 million individuals, each having his or her opinion on any matter.

The Dutch government is, of course, aware of the situation of Muslim integration and actively engages in discussions with Muslims. However, it only wishes to talk to one single Muslim entity representing the Muslim community and by so doing forces the Muslim community to adopt a pseudo singular identity in dealing with the government. In solving any issues pertaining to Muslim integration into Dutch society, the Dutch Government is bound by rules and regulation of the European Union.

Discourse about Muslim integration/non-integration is a hot issue and papers and magazines are full of articles on the subject. Almost daily there are talk shows on the subject and many Dutch are frankly fed-up with the overkill in attention and would rather see the subject cooled down. The media are thus very much involved in the discourse as are many individuals who provide their ideas on the subject in chatterboxes often being harrowingly frank.

In my view, the discourses among the various layers of Dutch society are not integrated and emotionally coloured. The moment integration was designated as a problem it became a problem and in my view discussions on the issue are often, intentionally or unintentionally anti-Muslim or anti-Dutch biased and not necessarily geared to practical problem solving. There is a lot of talking but what is really being done in practice is a great puzzle for many Dutch and Muslims alike.

Notwithstanding many studies having been done in various universities, many Dutch have no clue what Islam and being Muslim is about and base their ideas and convictions on biased information fed to them by populist politicians and talk show hosts. An avalanche of printed information in the form of articles, books and novels, and what not does not seem to do anything to change the situation.

After 9/11 the position of Muslims in the Netherlands has deteriorated and after the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh, in 2004, their position has deteriorated even further. This means that individual actions or actions done by individuals can destroy efforts for integration that have been made over long periods of time.

The situation being as it is, many Muslims reinforce their faith and show ever more visual signs of their being Muslim. By so doing they are considered by many to exaggerate their religiosity (very un-Dutch to do so) and are therefore considered to show off their faith. Veiled women colour the streets in ever greater numbers and by this sheer fact alone cause animosity among many. According to media parlance, many Dutch now see them as a threat. (However, Turkish butchers and bakers and other shops owned by Muslims are frequented by the Dutch and, being in Holland, they chat about the weather just like anyone else.)

The solution to all this will of course prove to be time consuming but one thing is clear, both parties will have to make an effort and both parties have to learn again that respect is the key issue here for Muslims and for the Dutch. However, because some individual Muslim leaders of prayer have issued statements or made sermons that were unequivocally against Dutch norms and values they have made the situation for all Muslims a lot worse.

Bio

Dick Van Der Meij is currentlyResearch and Program Consultant at the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture, State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Indonesia. He is also Visiting Professor at the State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Indonesia.

He has worked on several scholarly journals, including being series co-ordinator Curzon/Routledge Curzon IIAS Asian Studies Series, and as the Editor of publications of the International Institute for the Study of Islam in the Modern World (ISIM) and publications of the International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden.