Press Release
Announcement of the New Campaign: Together Against Anti-Islam Policy
(Translated)

The Netherlands has witnessed a series of striking events in the last couple of weeks, whereby some had far-reaching consequences. The ban on waving the Islamic flag. The call of politicians to act firm against so-called ‘hate-Imams' and deny their entrance. The leaflet of the CDA wherein they call to keep an eye on the Muslims. The arrest of two Muslim men from The Hague.

The arrest of two families from Huizen, whereby their passports were taken along with their kids, including an 8-month old baby, which have been taken away for no apparent reason except for suspicion that they might travel to Syria.

But this is not all. The government made it more clear in their policy: "An action programme integral to approach Jihadism" where draconic measures should be taken against Muslims, whereby there is an existing suspicion that they might become "radical," have become "radical," or want to make a trip towards a foreign country to participate in an armed battle.

Some of these oppressive measures are mentioned under the preventive approach to counteract a so-called process of "radicalisation". They are therein being encouraged to point out Muslims, whether offline or online, if they are being suspected of radicalism or jihadism. Also, educational institutions are being encouraged to keep an eye on Muslims if they suspect radicalisation in them. Mosques and Imams are being obliged to monitor their own followers and educate a Dutch version of Islam, etc.

These points basically mean that every Muslim, who is just slightly suspected of being ‘radicalised', can be prosecuted. Who will define these suspicions? When will a person be considered as a ‘radical' and when not? If they are ‘radical', does it mean that they should be countered?

The act of this government on the basis of nothing else but suspicions contains the ultimate embodiment of lawlessness and dictatorial behaviour, whereby people of other thoughts face the consequences. It is also clear to everybody that these measures not only encounter Muslims which are so-called ‘extremists', but it encounters all Muslims in the Netherlands, because they all fall under the category of potential ‘extremists' and ‘radicals' due to them being Muslims. The government has taken a major step of not to curb the act but the thinking of the Muslims. Every sane person will ask himself on this basis: Is this the freedom of speech which is being propagated with so much pride by the Dutch government?

These measures aren't acceptable for any human being. Whether this person is a Muslim or not a Muslim. Due to this reason, we will organize a campaign called:

"Together Against Anti-Islam Policy" with our goal to make Muslims and non-Muslims aware of these measures and motivate them to resist these measures, wherein a population is being stigmatized because of their religion.
During this campagin, we will undertake several activities to raise awareness, such as:

• Spreading a major amount of leaflets and flyers throughout all of the Netherlands

• Using social media platforms to spread the message on the net

• Actively contacting and conversing with different foundations and organisations

• Spreading films and other online material

• Organising meetings and lectures

Besides this, there will be more initiatives taken in order to make the Netherlands aware of these measures and actively include Muslims as well as non-Muslims.
Hereby, we call upon every Dutch citizen to join together and become unified against this anti-Islam policy. Let us collectively say no against stigamtising, moving away, and prosecuting a population on the basis of merely suspicions. Let us collectively reject that a split will be created between Muslims and non-Muslims, since it is being called that one should give in another on the basis of mere suspicion and assumptions.

Let us all choose to speak out and not remain silent, because to let oppression win, it only takes the just people to be silent...

Okay Pala
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir
in The Netherlands