Christians Under Attack

an integral part of their religion and moral code.  I suppose Minister Vogelaar is not demanding the same of Muslims. 

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According to Minister Ella Vogellaar, in an interview with Trouw, Muslim culture is so deeply entrenching itself in Dutch society that in the long run one would speak of a land that is based on a "Judeo-Christian-Muslim" tradition.

The minister for Housing and Integration hopes to end the 'negativity en the fear of Islam'.  "I want to help Muslim feel at home here.  Islam and Muslims must take root here, precisely because Muslims are also citizens of this land."

Vogelaar doesn't have problem if the (local) government supports to religious institutions of New Dutch, even financially.  "So long as you subsidize social goals and not religious activities.  Otherwise you cross a border."

Vogelaar is now speaking differently than various politicians in the past years.  Started from the first Balkenende government in 2002, the policy stressed adaptation to Dutch norms and values.

Although the minister doesn't want to stop the obligation to naturalization and learning Dutch, she now speaks of a "mutual process", in which cultures influence and stimulate each other.  "It is important that such a big group takes root in our society, and becomes an inseparable part of it," according to Vogelaar.

The minister compares it to the contribution of the Jewish community to Dutch culture.  "Centuries ago the Jewish community came to the Netherlands and now we say: the Netherlands is a land formed by the Judeo-Christian traditions.  I can imagine that we would get a similar process with Islam."

Source: Trouw (Dutch)

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