Source: Nieuwslog.nl, 17th June, 2010.
Muslims who live in The Netherlands should be truly and actively involved in Dutch society. It's inadequate and insufficient to just say: "it's my right to be here".
"Ramzi Alioui wrote me a letter called "the day after", a moving story about the effect the increasing support for PVV actually means to him. What can I do to keep myself motivated, is his question. My answer is that he should start a movement of Moroccans who take their distance from bullies and radicals. Let us show our love for The Netherlands in public, and let us actually contribute to society".
(Article by: Volkskrant)
Adjusted to society
Ramzi wrote to me: "I have adjusted to this society for 100%. Of course I did, because I was born here. At present, I've completely lost it. I really apply myself to improve our society. I don't bother anyone, and recently I got a contract with a big company, for which I've had to prove myself for the past two years. I've tried my utmost to convince my fellow-citizens of the fact that not everyone "from Morocco" is a bad person. And still, one million Dutch people weren't convinced at all. I don't know what to do anymore".
Ramzi, unfortunately, is considering to do the opposite of my advice to him. He is considering going back to Australia, where he lived for four years. The Netherlands isn't going to benefit from that.
OK, a very small percentage of PVV-voters actually is racist. The Moroccan community shouldn't waste any energy on that.
A burden
Another part of PVV-voters is really concerned about the integration problems in several neighborhoods. If you combine this with the social bankruptcy of many institutions, you can see a big tragedy unfolding itself. We, the government and the parliament, have to do our utmost in the coming four years to revitalize the judicial system, the police, the integration program, and juvenile care, in order to make sure education, social care, and job placement can do their work properly.
The Moroccan community has to demand this, in front of the school's gates, and at the agencies of social services. It would be a big disgrace if our highly developed society isn't capable of solving this type of problem.
Surprisingly enough, there is a third category of PVV-voters: people who aren't experiencing any integration-related problems whatsoever.
Don't just say: "this is my right"
Just consider a quarter of the voters from Limburg who say: "we don't want to lose our Christian heritage". We could have known that this would happen, but we just don't want to face the fact that there is more to The Netherlands than just secular big cities. Religion is a big issue in The Netherlands. The government has to develop a vision on the position of Islam in Dutch society. At the same time, Muslims have to be aware of the fact that the new religion is considered a threat.
A big church
So, my question to all Ramzis, who are of good will and intention, is: suppose that, in the Moroccan village in which your parents grew up, a big church was built next to the mosque, what would you need to trust this new development? A church community which just states that it is its legal right, will invoke fear instead of trust. Fear and trust are emotions.
What actually will help is the new church community showing its love for the village, contributing to life in the village, and being prepared to debate seriously and respectfully. In other words: Ramzi and other Muslims, think about your presence in society, understand the impact and the effects of visible Islamic characteristics like minarets and specific clothing.
Don't just say: "this is my right". Consider the effects of your presence, as members of a relatively new religion. Whether you renounce the minaret, or you explain what building one actually means: "we love The Netherlands, we are no guests anymore, we don't use a garage as a temporary mosque, we commit ourselves by really creating a building. That is the way we want to spend our money, instead of spending it on a second home in Morocco".
Only if we do all this - cut off the path to crime, and even the path to education and jobs, distance ourselves from misdemeanor, and find a way to deal with our fear to lose our identity - we will have made a U-turn in four years, from a fearful society, full of mistrust and isolation, to a hopeful society which is strong and involved. So, don't run, but use debate and discussion, and work hard to accomplish this goal.
Ahmed Marcouch is MP for Labor.
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