Monday, January 24, 2005

Worrying poll in the Netherlands

From the Sunday Herald:

MOST Dutch people are afraid of Muslims, according to a poll taken after the murder of a Dutch film-maker who was critical of Islam.
The poll, conducted by TNS NIPO in the Netherlands, as well as in Spain and Italy, since the November murder of Theo van Gogh by a suspected radical Islamist, showed only 19% of the Dutch do not see the presence of Muslims in the country as a threat.
Home to almost one million Muslims who make up 6% of the population, the Netherlands’ reputation for tolerance and social harmony has been shattered by the murder and a wave of attacks on mosques and churches and death threats against politicians.
Racial tensions surfaced again this week after a Dutch woman killed a youth of Moroccan origin after he stole her bag.

Something is going to give.