The Netherlands is widely known for its image of tolerance. Many tourists travel to the capital city, Amsterdam, keen to experience life among people with a famously relaxed attitude towards marijuana, prostitution, euthanasia, abortion and same-sex marriage.
In reality, the popular perception of the Netherlands as a tolerant country is only a half-truth. Legalising controversial issues is emblematic of the Dutch view that what cannot be prevented, may as well be made legal and regulated to maintain order and safety. It is a combination of deep pragmatism and tolerance.
With this in mind, it is easier to understand how beliefs such as Geert Wilders' (pictured) have come to exist within the Netherlands. Wilders made world headlines, and commanded considerable Dutch attention, with the release of his film, Fitna. The ten-minute film juxtaposes verses of the Koran with images of Islamic violence from all over the world. Fitna urges Dutch citizens to defend their freedom and stop the penetration of Islam.
Although Wilders claims to be interested in warning the Dutch people of the dangers that their Muslim compatriots pose, these dangers are limited. There has only been a single act of Islamic terrorism in the Netherlands — the murder of film director Theo Van Gogh in 2004.
Yet a Europe-wide poll shows the Dutch have a higher perception of terrorist threat than most of their European neighbours. Fundamental to this is a belief that Muslims intend to force a foreign system upon the Netherlands — that a menacing Islamic way of life will encroach upon the traditional values and hallmarks of Dutch identity.
This sentiment is indicative of a system that has failed to understand and accept its Muslim population.
It results from an historical failure. When immigrants began arriving in the Netherlands in the 1960s, from Morocco, Turkey and other countries, they came as guest-workers and in response to an active invitation by the Dutch government. At the time, political thinking concluded that since these foreigners would not take up permanent residence in the Netherlands, there was no need to nurture their Dutch identity.
In fact, it was seen as a righteous thing to allow guest-workers to maintain their own customs and beliefs; this was, after all, the Dutch way.
As the situation changed and immigrants became residents, the government was slow to recognise the need for formal integration and has been playing catch-up ever since. The children of the original guest-workers are now