Salafism can be seen as a transnational movement; originating in the Middle East it has acquired a more global outlook with local characteristics in Africa, Asia, America's and Europe. This of course fuels the discourse of the Middle East as a hotbed for radicals but less well known is that there is a reverse influence as well. Salafis from other continents travelling to the Middle East, as is expContinue Reading →
It seems that, with a few notable exceptions, people in the Netherlands have been accustomed to the headscarf. The burqa or niqaab however is a different matter. As did his fellow social democrat Aboutaleb a few years ago, current mayor of Amsterdam, Cohen, stated that women with a burqa should not be allowed to receive benefit. By politicizing gender in relation to Islam, women become the core ofContinue Reading →
A weekly round up of writings on the Internet, some relevant for my research, some political, some funny but all of them interesting (Dutch/English). (As usual to a large extent based upon suggestions from Dutch, other European, American and Middle Eastern readers. Thank you all.)Continue Reading →
I don't think there that many people from abroad who are doing ethnographic research in the Netherlands. One exception is Ms. Long, a Canadian researcher who tries to understand the relationship between Dutch Muslims and Dutch natives by looking at how people interpret their belonging (and not belong) in relation to specific places and how this is influenced by national and Islamophobic sentimentsContinue Reading →
A weekly round up of writings on the Internet, some relevant for my research, some political, some funny but all of them interesting (Dutch/English). (As usual to a large extent based upon suggestions from Dutch, other European, American and Middle Eastern readers. Thank you all.) This week special attention for Ramadan.Continue Reading →
A documentary about Jason Perez, an American man who’s a rapper, educator, father, Muslim, husband and idealist who is trying to get away from his old life with gangs and drugs.Continue Reading →
Sometimes particular debates become very irritating. In particular because they seem to return every year. The headscarf debate is probably the clearest example. Following the debates in Antwerp and among feminists the debate has also hit the Netherlands. What is at stake in this whole debate on both sides is a struggle for the right of women not to be judged on (and reduced to) their appearance bContinue Reading →
A weekly round up of writings on the Internet, some relevant for my research, some political, some funny but all of them interesting (Dutch/English). (As usual to a large extent based upon suggestions from Dutch, other European, American and Middle Eastern readers. Thank you all.) This week special attention for Ramadan.Continue Reading →
De groei van het salafisme, een ultraorthodoxe stroming in de islam, stagneert in Nederland. Dat concludeert de inlichtingendienst AIVD.
***UPDATED: 18-09-2009*** Continue Reading →