Press Release
The Integration Action Plan by Jurgen Nobel: A Call for Assimilation?

Recently, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, alongside VVD member Jurgen Nobel, reignited the integration debate by asserting that the Netherlands faces “a significant problem with the integration of Islamic youth.” Nobel is developing an “Integration Action Plan,” emphasizing that “the most important thing is that everyone endorses Dutch norms and values.” This raises critical questions: What does this entail, and why does this debate remain so contentious? Historically, integration in the Netherlands was defined as learning the language and understanding Dutch society. Yet, integration persists as a political issue. This suggests that the core concern has shifted beyond traditional notions of integration. So-called Dutch values, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, are often championed as pillars of the country’s democratic society. However, in reality, these values are selectively applied and fail to extend to everyone equally—especially Muslims. Freedom of speech is used as a shield to justify actions that deliberately insult Islam, such as Quran burnings or offensive depictions of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), while any criticism or resistance from Muslims is met with condemnation and labeled as intolerance. Similarly, freedom of religion is rendered meaningless when Muslims are pressured to compromise their beliefs to align with secular norms, such as endorsing practices that contradict Islamic rulings. These so-called freedoms reveal themselves to be hollow when tested, serving as tools to marginalize rather than protect those who hold firm to their faith.

The push to force Muslims to abandon their religious and cultural values is increasing. Muslims are being pressured not only to relinquish their Islamic identity but also to reshape their emotions, mindset, and the things they hold closest to their hearts. This coercion is evident in ongoing discussions about harsh measures such as revoking Dutch passports, forced deportations, and increased surveillance of Islamic institutions like mosques and Quran schools. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Dick Schoof and his cabinet, have openly supported strict oversight of these institutions, fostering a climate of distrust and alienation towards the Muslim community. Therefore, the term “integration” appears outdated. What is truly being demanded is assimilation: the abandonment of Islamic norms and values in favor of a secular agenda and ideology. Beyond cultural assimilation, Muslim youth—as well as Muslims generally—face political pressures, such as the expectation to recognize the criminal Jewish entity as a state—a state that was created on the blood of Muslims and built through the displacement and oppression of Palestinians. For Muslims, acknowledging such a state is inconceivable. Nonetheless, criticism of and opposition to the existence of this murderous entity is increasingly framed as antisemitism, effectively silencing political dissent. This is yet another example of the hypocrisy surrounding so-called freedom of speech, which is championed as a universal right but denied when it challenges dominant political narratives.

As a Muslim community, it is essential to collectively raise awareness and respond with strong, constructive arguments against policies aimed at assimilation. This includes prioritizing the education and spiritual development of Muslim youth, ensuring they have the knowledge and resilience to remain steadfast in their Islamic beliefs despite external pressures. Families and community leaders must actively nurture a sense of pride in the Islamic beliefs, identity, laws and history, fostering confidence in their values and practices. They should also build conviction in the Muslim youth about the solutions that Islam can bring to humanity’s problems. By doing so, they can safeguard the next generation from losing their connection to Islam and create a foundation for a strong and united Muslim community. By adhering to Islamic principles and resisting assimilation pressures, Muslims can preserve their unique identity and pass it on to their future generations. Allah (swt) says:

[إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ * أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْجَنَّةِ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا جَزَاء بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ]

“Surely those who said: ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast (on the right course) shall have nothing to fear nor to grieve. Those are the companions of Paradise, abiding eternally therein as reward for what they used to do.” [Al-Ahqaf: 13-14].

Women’s Section       

in the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir