Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Member of the Dutch parliament, ‘Alī al-Azraq, a Dutch citizen of Moroccan origin, has told al-Sharq al-Awsat that the first generation Moroccan immigrants were helpless to protest against the bad conditions they faced, whereas the second generation is indignant over being treated as second or rather third-class citizens.



In an interview with al-Sharq al-Awsat, al-Azraq said that his relationship with Dutch member of parliament of Somalian origin, Ayān Hirsī ‘Alī, who is known for her hostility towards Islam, is "normal.” "We exchange greetings but I avoid entering into discussions with her over Islam," he clarified.



Al-Azraq has established that Dutch-Moroccan Muhammad Buwīrī [Reviewer: Spelled in Western media as Muhammad Bouyeri], murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, is a pure Dutch product, who has learnt Dutch and adapted to Dutch life. He also spoke about the increasing number of girls who wear hijāb [veil] or the Afghani burqu‘ [Reviewer: A garment that conceals the entire body] in the Netherlands.



According to al-Azraq, in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Muslims felt duty bound to prove their innocence to Dutch society. A recent study, which covered a number of European countries, has revealed that the Danish people are less tolerant towards immigrants than other Europeans, al-Azraq added.