Being a Muslim in the Netherlands means always having to be wary. Ordering a halal meal on a transatlantic flight, refusing to shake hands with a woman or growing a beard is enough to arouse suspicion. Could this be a terrorist?

The Dutch government favours a broad approach in its battle against radicalism, says Bob de Graaff, one of the authors of the eighth edition of the annual Racism and Extremism Monitor published by the Anne Frank Foundation and Leiden University on Tuesday. It is not just the small terrorist sleeper cells which are being monitored. A much larger group of Muslims who might possibly turn to radicalism is also under scrutiny.

Resentment

But what does a potential terrorist look like? Profiling could backfire if the information it is based on a stereotype or is out of date. The government’s actions might cause resentment among Muslims who could feel discriminated against. And that is a very good breeding ground for radicalism, writes De Graaff.

But while Muslim groups are being monitored, home grown extremism is left to grow virtually unchecked, or so the monitor seems to suggest. The number of neo-Nazi activists increased from 40 to 400 in the last four years. Extreme right-wing demonstrations also grew significantly, from eight in 2006 to 12 last year. This year has so far seen 20 demonstrations.

And then there are the estimated several thousand youths who follow extreme-right trends. Some of them were involved in the racially motivated incidents in the south Netherlands province of Noord Brabant. A gang of youths, dressed in their hallmark Lonsdale outfits, harassed a Liberian family to such an extent that they were forced to leave the town of Waspik. And in 2007, in the province of North Holland, youths set fire to a mosque.

White extremism

These are not just isolated incidents. The monitor cites a passage from the annual school inspection report: “Schools are much more likely to face “white” extremism (…) and clashes between native Dutch students and students from an immigrant background than religious extremism.” Further information on the nature and the size of the problem is not available, the monitor states.

Researcher Jaap van Donselaar thinks the government’s focus on the early detection of Muslim radicalism is one of the reasons why right-wing extremism has flourished.

Another effect of the government’s approach is that it is putting Muslims in a bad light which also affects young people. A poll carried out last year showed over 50 percent of Dutch, non-Muslim 14 to 16-year-olds have negative attitudes toward Muslims. The annual discrimination complaints register for 2007 shows that Moroccans in particular have been registering incidents. Violence against Muslims has also increased. The researchers, again, blame negative stereotyping.

Geert Wilders

Anti-Muslim speeches by populist member of parliament Geert Wilders and the huge media coverage he gets may also have increased the phobia for Islam, Van Donselaar says. A decision by the justice department not to prosecute some of Wilders’ racist comments could also be a contributing factor.

“The government is tough in its approach to the radicalisation of Muslims. There is a limit beyond which it will not be allowed to go. But where freedom of speech is concerned, the line is less clearly drawn,” Van Donselaar claims.

When Wilders anti-Muslim film Fitna came out people said: if you don’t like it, report it to the police. “Many did but most complaints were dismissed. Muslims have the right to know where the line is drawn and it is up to the judge to clarify the issue. The government must take responsibility for its actions.”