‘Radicalisation-inclined Muslims are no threat’

In Amsterdam, 1,445 Muslims are vulnerable to radicalisation. “These people form no risk for Dutch society,” conclude researchers from the University of Amsterdam (UvA). The population however appears to think quite differently about this.

The UvA’s Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies (IMES) was commissioned by Mayor Job Cohen to carry out research into radicalisation of Amsterdam Muslims. Only 2 percent of them are susceptible to radicalisation, according to the report. These 1,445 persons have great political distrust, often live in social isolation and want to fight for an orthodox, political Islam. They are mainly young Moroccans and Turks aged between 16 and 18.

IMES states that “these people form no risk for Dutch society, because it is not certain that they will actually radicalise. We only conclude that they are susceptible to this, because they combine a very orthodox religious content with strong dissatisfaction with the Islam debate in the Netherlands,” according to researcher Jean Tillie.

The National Anti-terrorism Coordinator (NCTb) signalled Monday that radicalisation is increasing among Turkish youths in particular. Tillie disputes this. Nonetheless, he says radicalisation is increasing because the government subsidises immigrants organisations less often than in the past.

The more Muslims are organised in mosques and foundations, the better they integrate in the Netherlands, according to Tillie. “The revaluation of social ethnic organisations is a historical necessity in reaction to the hard debate of recent years.”

A statement was presented yesterday by radio programme Standpunt that ‘Radicalisation among Muslim youngsters is underestimated.’ In response to the statement, 81 percent of respondents agreed and the rest disagreed.

Source: NIS News, ANP, 18 October 2006