Criticism of Islam:Responses of Dutch Religious and Humanist Organizations Analyzed

During the last five decades Islam has emerged as Europe’s second religion after Christianity.1 In a relatively short period the number of Muslims in Western Eu-rope has increased to more than 15 million and Islam has become a fixed part of Europe’s religious landscape. Arguably, Islam will be one of the forces that shape Europe’s cultural future. The presence and increasing visibility of Islam in Europe has evoked various responses. One of them – and a very important one from a political point of view – is that of criticism of Islam, or, in its harsh and xenophobic form, anti-Islamism or Islamophobia.2 In a number of European countries, so-called nationalist-populist parties have emerged that show a deep aversion to Islam and Muslim migrants. Examples are the Flemish Block (Vlaams Blok) in Belgium, the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti) in Denmark, the Swiss People’s Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei) in Switzerland, the National Front (Front National) in France and the Party for Freedom (PVV, Partij voor de Vrijheid) in the Netherlands