The Integration Show
Holland's tightening immigration laws
Holland has long been regarded as Europe’s most tolerant country. As immigration is curbed and assimilation promoted, how is this affecting national identity?
Ayan Hirsi Ali has built her political career calling for immigration to be stopped. She believes that radical Islam is now a threat to Dutch society: “It’s not responsible for the government to invite more people in from outside.” However, unlike other right-wing politicians, she is a Muslim Somali refugee who has escaped from a forced marriage. Her views have sparked outrage in the Muslim community but they have also helped to re-invigorate political debate in Holland. Immigrants now make up half the population in some Dutch cities and Mohammed is the most popular boy’s name. We also investigate the political changes over the last few years. By adopting some of the policies of the late Pim Fortuyn, we see how mainstream political parties have been able to undermine support for extremists
Produced by ABC Australia.
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