Dutch Violence against Muslims Continues

So far, more than 20 Muslim institutions have been attacked and a mosque in the town of Helden was set on fire yesterday. The cause of the fire is unknown and the mosque is heavily damaged.

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende visited Bedir Islamic School, which was set ablaze last week, meeting with students, teachers and parents as well as the administration. The Prime Minister listened to the fears of aggrieved parents about their children’s

education. One parent said, "My child is very scared. I don’t know what to do," to which Balkanende replied, "They are our children too. The freedom of education in this country cannot be hindered."

Speaking to Zaman yesterday after a Christian Democrat Party convention in Amsterdam, the Prime Minister emphasized that Islam is not a problem in the Netherlands. He said that the Netherlands is an exemplary country in terms of social rights and that those who want to exploit this will not be given any chance. He said the issue is that some people are trying to use Islam for their personal interests.

There are more than a million Muslims in Holland, six percent of the total population.

In Uden, 6,000 people, mostly Dutch, along with the Mayor Joke Kersten protested against the violence against Muslims with a silent march. In Oss too the Mayor comforted students and met with parents.