Muslims within the Netherlands are shedding their belief within the nation’s authorities as experiences emerged it has been finishing up secret probes and investigations for the reason that early 2010s.
Community teams and nongovernmental organizations, nevertheless, stated they weren’t shocked by the investigations after the rise in Islamophobia and racism within the nation and Europe typically.
“It is not in vain that Muslims’ distrust toward the government has been increasing steadily recently, and it seems that the state does not trust Muslims either, which is why they conducted these investigations,” stated Muhsin Köktaş, the top of the like Contact Body for Muslims and Government (CMO) within the Netherlands.
“The scandal that emerged during the discussions and meetings between the Social Affairs and Employment Ministry in 2022 to regain the trust of Muslims and the authorities of Islamic institutions is very significant.”
Adding that Islamophobia and racism will be noticed in all authorities establishments, Köktaş stated: “While, on the other hand, the Ministry is working on regaining the trust of Muslims and holding discussions, the Justice and Security Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz says there is no place for headscarves in police uniforms and bans them. Incidents of racism in the Foreign Ministry and systematic discrimination scandals at the tax office … were just some of the racism and discrimination incidents in many government institutions,”
Köktaş stated on account of racism and discrimination in authorities establishments, the belief of Muslims within the state has been critically undermined.
“The work done by the Social Affairs and Employment Ministry to regain the trust of Muslims should not be limited to just one ministry. It should be carried out in all government institutions, and they all need to be on the same page for any improvement to happen. In a society where racism is increasing, it is essential for the sensitive public to support this effort. Gaining the trust of Muslims will not be easy. It may take many years. The current leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Yeşilgöz says that after the general elections to be held on Nov. 22 with the Party for Freedom (PVV) led by far-right (Geert) Wilders, they can form a coalition government. I can’t even imagine how Muslim trust will be gained if such a government is formed,” he stated.
Köktaş urged Muslims within the Netherlands to be acutely aware and take into account the Netherlands as their very own nation and known as for efforts to guard and make sure the rights of Muslims.
Discriminatory legal guidelines
Stephan van Baarle, chairman of the Denk Party Parliamentary Group and Member of Parliament, additionally identified that the key investigation of Muslims and Islamic establishments will not be the primary.
“I was shocked by the Social Affairs Ministry conducting espionage on the Dutch Muslim community illegally through a private company. I will submit a proposal next week in the Representatives Chamber for the minister to apologize. I requested a special session in parliament on this issue, but unfortunately, it was not accepted. Everyone who has been spied on illegally should be informed and compensated.”
Van Baarle stated: “It reveals the model of hatred against Muslims within the government. In the future, the only way to prevent this is to examine the government in terms of anti-Muslim hatred and investigate laws that discriminate against Muslims.”
Kenan Aslan, head of Foreign Relations for the National View Organizations of the Islam Community within the South Holland Region, condemned the investigations.
“With the revelation of these illegal activities, it has been another disappointment for the Islamic community that the ministry has also discovered that it collected information through illegitimate means within itself. There is still a long way to go. Muslims will always be transparent, just as they have been in the past, but we also expect the same transparency from the government and local municipalities. It is now their duty to improve the atmosphere of distrust,” he stated.
Incident
In the Netherlands in 2021, it was revealed that municipalities carried out secret investigations into mosques and establishments owned by Muslims by way of non-public firms.
It was reported that analysis funded by the Netherlands’ Security and Counterterrorism Agency (NCTV) was carried out by way of the NTA (Nuance door Training and Advies) non-public firm.
It stated NTA staff conducting analysis in mosques launched themselves as members of the congregation or guests, and throughout the investigation, they met many individuals from the congregation with out revealing their identities.
It famous that NTA notably reported its findings concerning backgrounds, origins and schooling of imams and directors to municipalities as “confidential information.”
Karien van Gennip, Social Affairs and Employment Minister, stated in a letter to the House of Representatives this week that it was decided that the company carried out unauthorized analysis on people, establishments, and networks amongst Muslim communities residing within the nation in earlier years.
Van Gennip expressed disappointment concerning the secret investigation of Muslims and Islamic establishments and stated she realized classes for the long run.
Source: www.dailysabah.com