Hi all,

I would like to thank Pressenza Hong Kong for the publication of our interview with the Dutch Islamophobia expert Dr. Ineke van der Valk about her new publication.

We think that a European network against Islamophobia is essential to affirm Muslims’ rights in Western countries.

thank you

Dr. phil. Milena Rampoldi – ProMosaik e.V.

Report: Monitor Muslim Discrimination

Dr. Phil. Milena Rampoldi opposes
islamophobia in Europe, and in saying NO to religious, ethnic, and
cultural discrimination of all kinds, writes on the topic and now has a
second publication.
“The present report Monitor Muslim Discrimination is
my second publication on islamophobia in the Netherlands. It discusses
the Dutch situation from where the first report ended, in particular the
time period after 2011. The underlying research project builds on this
earlier research.”
Here below she interviews the report’s author, Dr. Ineke van der Valk.

See:
http://promosaiknews.com/2015/03/interview-with-dr-ineke-van-der-valk.html

Interview

Milena Rampoldi: What has changed in the Netherlands since your first book?

Ineke van der Valk: The government has changed. PVV is now in the
opposition and no longer supports the government which it used to do in
2009-2011. The PVV radicalized (see chapter on PVV, p. 32-39); the rise
of IS and its terror adds to a breeding ground for prejudices and
discrimination against Muslims. The incidence on discriminatory violence
against mosques has relatively speaking high in 2013-2014: 55 incidents
in 39 mosques (see chapter 6).

Milena Rampoldi: What are the most important
objectives you would like to reach with this second publication about
Islamophobia in the Netherlands?

Ineke van der Valk: The objectives of this project are:
1. to increase insight into islamophobia as a form of racism, its causes, incidence,
impact and consequences;
2. to obtain public and official recognition of islamophobia as a separate form of
discrimination comparable to anti-Semitism, in order to better monitor it in the
future;
3. to contribute to the development of counter policies and practices to be used by
municipalities, national governments, civil society organizations and the public at
large.

Milena Rampoldi: How important are the studies about Islamophobia in Europe and why?

Ineke van der Valk: Muslim discrimination and underlying ideologies
are often denied, downplayed and depolitized. Studies may highlight the
phenomenon in order to gain insight, knowledge about its structure,
prevalence, cause and effects. In order to better deal with it

Milena Rampoldi: How can we promote a culture of acceptance and respect between Islam and the Western culture?

Ineke van der Valk: Creating a culture of openness, acceptance,
tolerance, contact between different social groups (religious or not),
dialogue, information and knowledge about all world religions.

Milena Rampoldi: How does a culture of tolerance avoid radicalization of Muslims?

Ineke van der Valk: When people, in particular youngsters, feel
accepted they do not need to flight/ seek refuge into lethal ideologies.

Milena Rampoldi: What have you reached with your studies about Islamophobia and what do you want to achieve in the near future?

Ineke van der Valk: My research has been essential in putting the
issue on the media and political agenda’s in the Netherlands; compared
to the situation before 2011 there are now many social actors working in
this field (CSOs ). Together we are working for solutions. See also p.
43-45 concerning the changes in politics of the government

Milena Rampoldi: Why is the exchange of data and experience between the Netherlands and Germany so important to oppose to Islamophobia?

Ineke van der Valk: Not only with Germany but with other European
countries as well (see p 66-67). It is not only a Dutch but a European
and even western and international problem, comparative work is
necessary.