Treating of Islamic People in Other Countries

In lieu of our discussions of Islamophobia in the US, here is a great write up from the conversation between NPR's reporter Rachel Martin and Dutch representatives on the topic of the Dutch banning traditional Islamic dress such as the burqa.

It is in great connection to the Dutch attempt to make one national culture.

"We want the Islamic community in the Netherlands to fully integrate in our society, and if you go walking down the streets and you cannot really show yourself, it's a big no to Dutch society."

However, not all believe that this is necessary.

"The idea that there is only one culture is silly. There is not just one culture in the Netherlands. I mean multi-culturist elements are part and parcel of Dutch society. So, and that's why I think it doesn't make sense to say, well, we don't like it and we're going to stop it."

In other words, though there is a great stride to assimilate Dutch society, others argue that these multi-culturist elements are what help define it.

This controversy has been going on for years and clearly stems from negative prejudices of Muslims dating all the way back to the 80's but even more so from the 9/11 attacks on the US. Discrimination against muslims and attempts to keep the excluded from a nation's social and public life is a problem in many more countries than just the US.

Take a little look...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5181079