FAR RIGHT THREAT IS OFTEN IGNORED

The Dutch government’s efforts to monitor radicalism in the Netherlands have been focused primarily on potential Muslim terrorists. But this could favour extreme right-wing organisations whose numbers have gone up significantly during the last few years.

Being a Muslim in the Netherlands means always having to be wary. Ordering a ‘halal’ meal on a transatlantic flight, refusing to shake hands with a woman or growing a beard is enough to arouse suspicion. Could this be a terrorist?

The Dutch government favors a broad approach in its battle against radicalism, says Bob de Graaff, one of the authors of the eighth edition of the annual Racism and Extremism Monitor published by the Anne Frank Foundation and Leiden University on Tuesday. It is not just the small terrorist sleeper cells which are being monitored. A much larger group of Muslims who might possibly turn to radicalism is also under scrutiny. read more (nrc.nl)


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December 15, 2008