Muslims can not have freedom in the ‘free’ West

Rotterdam, Netherlands- The new test for foreigners who want to apply for Dutch residency is, well, very Dutch. It features a DVD that illustrates various aspects of Dutch life, including, most notably, a topless woman frolicking in the surf and two men kissing warmly. The message could not be more explicit. This is who we are; if you do not accept it, do not come.

Growing numbers of conservative Muslim immigrants are seen by many Dutch as posing threat to the Netherlands’ liberal consensus and easygoing life style.

The Dutch are not alone. Britain and Germany are trying with the idea of citizenship tests that would examine cultural values of Muslim immigrants.

Han Entzinger, a sociologist at Erasmus University Rotterdam and an expert on immigration issues, said the entrance test and other recent measures to curb immigration were “symptoms of panic and anxiety” on the part of the government. He said it also reflected ordinary Dutch citizen’s fear of change.

US citizens and the residents of EU countries do not have to take the examination.

“Even when we are born here, we are allochtoon”, said Khaori, using the Dutch word for immigrants. “You see it when they look at you: you are not one of us.”

Dutch to Muslims: Do you really want to settle here?

Tom Hundley

Chicago Tribune, Sunday April 9, 2006, Section 1, p. 1, 10.