The European Commission on Monday said it was giving new funds to support cross-border projects aimed at improving the integration of immigrants in the 27-member European Union. Some four million euros (5.4 million dollars) would be made available for 12 initiatives that “encourage dialogue with civil society, develop integration models, seek out and evaluate good…
Ehsan Jami, a municipal council member for Labour in Leidschendam, has joined forces with Loubna Berrada, a member of the Conservative (VVD) Party, to form the Central Committee for ex-Muslims. Jami has given up the life of Islam for one of freedom. He became increasingly disillusioned with his faith after 9/11. Though he has nothing…
Twenty-eight year-old Aicha has been happily married to Argentinean Laurens (28) for three months-except that her marriage has left her parents completely out of the picture. They have not even seen the couple’s two young children. They met through friends. Her family does not accept her choice and would like Laurens to convert, which would…
On Saturday, the Mayor of Amsterdam issued a reminder to the cities population of the importance of tolerance in the Dutch society. Cohen’s lecture, titled ‘Freedom and Identity,’ urged unity in disunion as a strategy appealing to respect and self-interest. He suggested that intolerance will only alienate foreigners, especially Muslims. Dutch citizens have a responsibility…
Swiss conservative Christoph Blocher, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, said he is unconvinced of the benefits of a conference to discuss Islam and integration. While he expects dialogue to occur, he is unsure what the appropriate forum would be. Blocher supports a ban on minarets which he argues have no place…
