September 11 2010 On the ninth anniversary of September 11 2010, dueling protests broke out over a mosque planned near Ground Zero. While initially 1,500 people gathered in favour of a Muslim organization’s right to build a community center, 2000 later demonstrated specifically against the mosque construction. This group was addressed by Dutch MP Geert…
September 8 2010 The SVB (national insurance agency) in the Dutch city of Utrecht is offering Turkish and Moroccan immigrants an explanation- in their native languages -of the welfare payments for which they can apply, together with a free haircut. The program engaging “welfare hair-dressers” and targeting elderly immigrants is being test run in Utrecht…
September 8 2010 Intercultural communications advisor Jihad Alariachi faced criticism from Amsterdam’s mayor for her comments supporting the rejection of “religious-type” holidays including birthdays. Alariachi defended a parent making the argument with respect to his children’s school. Van der Laan said that Alariachi may express her personal opinions, but is not to mention her ties…
When Terry Jones, a Florida pastor, announced his plan to burn Qurans on 9/11 with a tweet and an “International Burn a Koran Day” page on Facebook, he ignited an international conflagration of outrage. As news spread, worldwide condemnation and anxiety mounted. At least two people died in a demonstration in Afghanistan. It seemed this…
