THE RAMADAN FESTIVAL

The Dutch foundation ‘Tie that unites us’ organizes the Dutch Ramadan Festival. Since last Thursday special Ramadan festivities take place in various Dutch municipalities. Different activities are organized: IFTARS, the meals that are consumed by Muslims after sundown, lectures, concerts, activities for children, workshops, a film festival and an exhibition. Most of the events are free of charge for every Dutch citizen. One of the slogans: ‘Wilders is already history’.

One of the most personal Ramadan Festival activities is a meal after sundown with an ordinary Muslim family. Besides the individual Iftar, there are also other larger hospitality dinners are organised to bring Dutch Muslims, and non-Muslims together. 

One of the initiators and successful entrepreneur Ahmed Larouz: ‘We will have to show leadership and a positive attitude. We need to give a good example to the others. (…) It is a duty to behave oneself as a human being, not especially as a migrant. (..) A better representation starts with yourself.’ Larouz picked up the idea in the United States, where a Christian family cooked a halal meal for him, and even skipped their daily prayers out of hospitality. Larouz: ‘I thought this is too much, this is what I call top-respect. Something like this we should do in The Netherlands as well.’

 The Ramadan Festival is aiming at all the Dutch citizens. It is the goal to make the gap between Mulims and non-Muslims smaller. Larouz: ‘The atmosphere in The Netherlands is quite negative at the moment. Both sides do not really know where to stop. Often this is a sort of rape of the freedom of speech. Like the right wing leader Geert Wilders asking for a Dutch ban on the Koran. To me every freedom has its limits, and from that limit the freedom of another individual starts. Everything starts with respect.’

One of the right wing politicians Geert Wilders lately asked for a Dutch ban of the Koran. He represents the Dutch intolerance. That’s why Ahmed Larouz states that to him ‘Wilders is already history.’  more features

Link: www.ramadanfestival.nl

September 20, 2006