The Integration of Muslim Minorities in the Netherlands

Abstract

Due to factors such as the permanent presence of nearly 400,000 Muslims in the Netherlands (3% of the total population), the interest of broader societal circles in Islam has been evoked. The government strives to integrate these minorities into the “multicultural” society. In spite of the Dutch “pillarization system” and the fact that the constitution grants freedom of religion, several structural barriers inherent to the groups concerned, as well as to Dutch society, impede this integration process. Due to these obstacles, the emergence of a “Dutch Islam,” as well as of important fundamentalist groups among Muslims in the Netherlands, are not to be expected in the future. Furthermore, the accomplished changes in the Dutch regulations and guidelines in favor of Muslims indicate a disbalance between the pace of integration in the juridical sphere on the one hand and in the socioeconomic sphere on the other. The flexibility in the juridical sphere is mainly due to the pillarization system, while socioeconomic integration of Muslims in Dutch society is impeded by the existing prejudice and discrimination.