Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Islam and the Netherlands Today
The hottest hot-button issue in Amsterdam and the Netherlands
today is the culture clash between secular, multicultural
Netherlands and its recent Muslim immigrants. Many Muslims
arrived in the last half of the 20th century after Indonesia (a
Dutch colony) gained independence. Guest workers from Turkey
and Morocco—drawn by economic incentives—swelled the ranks.
Today, one in ten Amsterdammers is Muslim. The Muslim cultures
have not meshed seamlessly with the Netherlands' Western,
secular, and liberal culture. Here are several recent events that
demonstrate how complex the issues are.
The Dutch are still haunted by a shameful episode concern-
ing Muslims during the Bosnian War. In 1995, Dutch soldiers were
stationed in Bosnia, charged by the UN with keeping peace dur-
ing that region's troubled civil war. In July, the Dutch-protected
town of Srebrenica was overrun by Bosnian Serbs. The 400 Dutch
troops were outnumbered, and the UN gave them no logistical
support. While Dutch soldiers huddled helplessly in their com-
pound, the Serbs rounded up 8,000 Muslim men and boys and
massacred them. In hindsight, there was little the soldiers could
have done to prevent the atrocity, but it's still disturbing to the
Dutch psyche.
In spring of 2002, a charismatic Dutch politician named
Pim Fortuyn campaigned for Parliament on a strong anti-
immigration platform. Like many Dutch, he was socially lib-
eral (including being openly gay, pro-feminist, pro-drug, and
pro-euthanasia) but was concerned that Islam posed a threat
to Dutch tolerance. On May 6, Fortuyn was gunned down in
1800s—Revival
Though slow to join the Industrial Revolution, Holland picks up
speed by century's end. A canal to the
North Sea rejuvenates Amsterdam's
port, railroads lace cities together, and
Amsterdam hosts a World Exhibition.
Belgium—having been placed under a
Dutch king—revolts, gains its indepen-
dence (1830), and picks its own king,
a German this time. Wealth from its
colony in Africa's Congo region helps
rebuild Brussels in grand style.
Sights
• Amsterdam's Central Station, Rijks museum, and Magna
Plaza
• Van Gogh paintings at the Van Gogh Museum
• Indonesian foods from the colonial era
