Children & Teens
Shamima Begum husband: Isis bride is heartbroken and alone (LINK ONLY)
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Netherlands
Legal
Fourth victim of Dutch tram shooting dies: prosecutors
(AFP) The death toll from an alleged terror attack on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht rose to four on Thursday after an injured man died in hospital, prosecutors said. Prosecutors have already said that a Turkish-born man previously identified […]
Government & Politics
Rotterdam mayor: No links between social deprivation and terror Ahmed Aboutaleb says misuse of religious principles is cause of terrorism
(National-UAE) Social deprivation and extremism are not always related, says Rotterdam’s Muslim mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb. Mr Aboutaleb, who is of Moroccan descent, was appointed to his position in 2009, and is known for his strong belief in “inclusive society.” “All arguments that […]
Academics & Education
Amsterdam Islamic school had links with controversial British imam: NRC
(Dutch News) The NRC on Friday published more details about the security service report on Amsterdam’s only Islamic secondary school, which has led to officials calling on the board to resign. The paper say[s] it has seen AIVD documents which claim controversial […]
Legal
Terror suspect confesses to deadly Netherlands attack: prosecutors
(AFP) A Turkish-born suspect has confessed to terrorist charges over a shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht which killed three people, prosecutors said Friday. Thousands of Dutch mourners including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte took to Utrecht’s streets […]
Legal
Dutch tram gunman to be charged with ‘terrorist’ killings
(AFP) Dutch prosecutors are to charge the suspect in a gun attack in a packed Utrecht tram with “terrorist” killings, saying he will appear for the first time before a judge on Friday. “The 37-year-old suspect will appear before a judge on […]
Crime
Jewish vendor and son stabbed by Egyptian colleague at iconic Amsterdam market
(JTA) A Jewish father and son were stabbed at an iconic street marketplace in Amsterdam by an Egypt-born seller whom they and others said was a radicalized Muslim. Martin Colmans, the father, and son Sharon sustained light to moderate injuries in the […]
News: Europe
‘Terrorist’ or ‘psychopath’? Complex picture of Dutch attack suspect
(AFP) The prime suspect in a deadly shooting on a tram in the Dutch city of Utrecht was known for a “rap sheet from here to Tokyo” but showed few signs of radicalism, according to residents and reports. Turkish-born Gokmen Tanis, 37, […]
Law Enforcement
Dutch police arrest new tram attack suspect, suspect terror motive
(AFP) Dutch police said they were investigating a terrorist motive for the Utrecht tram attack, as they arrested a new suspect on Tuesday over the deadly shooting. Authorities said they had found a suspicious letter in a getaway car used by Turkish-born […]
Law Enforcement
Dutch police arrest suspect after three shot dead on tram
(AFP) Dutch police on Monday arrested a Turkish-born suspect over a shooting on a tram in Utrecht that left three people dead in what officials said was a possible terror attack. Police had earlier launched a huge manhunt for Gokmen Tanis, 37, […]
Law Enforcement
Dutch arrest two in 2015 Paris attacks weapons link
(AFP) Dutch police have arrested two men in Amsterdam with suspected links to weapons used in deadly attacks in Paris in 2015 that killed 130 people, prosecutors said Friday. “Police arrested two men on Tuesday in Amsterdam in an investigation into the […]
Apostasy
Muslim-turned-Christian refugees in the Netherlands face threats
(Crux) Christian relief organizations in the Netherlands recently raised the alarm about the fact that Christian refugees in the country are being threatened or bullied on a regular basis, especially when they used to be Muslim. Three of these refugees were willing […]
Academics & Education
Parents’ meeting about Islamic school cancelled after too many turn up
(Dutch News) A meeting for parents of pupils at the Islamic high school Cornelius Haga Lyceum in Amsterdam, which is at the centre of alleged links to terrorism, was cancelled on Tuesday evening after too many people turned up. The city had […]
Academics & Education
Stand-off over Amsterdam Islamic school continues, Muslim groups get involved
(Dutch News) Islamic organisations in the Netherlands have called on the board of Amsterdam’s only Islamic high school to resign following claims by the security service that members of the board had links to terrorist organisations. Six organisations, including the Islamic school […]
Crime
Man with knives held near rally of Dutch far-right leader Wilders
(AFP) Dutch police arrested a man carrying two knives and an axe close to an election rally by anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders, the politician and officials said Monday. The suspect was detained as the far-right leader handed out leaflets in Heerlen, in […]
Academics & Education
Education minister threatens to remove funding from Amsterdam Islamic high school, accused of terror links
(Dutch News) Education minister Arie Slob has threatened to withdraw state funding from an Amsterdam Islamic secondary school accused of having terrorist links, if it refuses to let inspections take place. The Dutch security service AIVD has warned Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema […]
Academics & Education
Islamic school in Amsterdam in contact with terrorist group: counterterrorism coordinator
(NL Times) Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security, intelligence service AIVD and National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security NCTV have major concerns about Islamic school Cornelius Haga Lyceum in Amsterdam. In a letter to parliament and Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, they […]
Children & Teens
Jihadi Yago Riedijk ‘will not be allowed to live with his family in Netherlands’
(Dutch News) The Dutch government will not help IS fighter Yago Riedijk return to the country and his British wife and child should not be allowed to join him, ministers and MPs said at the weekend. Riedijk, 26, told the BBC and […]
Children & Teens
Shamima Begum: ‘We should live in Holland,’ says IS husband
(BBC) The Dutch husband of Shamima Begum, who joined the Islamic State group in Syria in 2015 aged 15, has said he wants her to return to the Netherlands with him. Yago Riedijk and Ms Begum married days after she arrived inside […]
Citizenship
Nijmegen jihadist stripped of Dutch nationality
(NL Times) State Secretary Mark Harbers of Justice and Security stripped 37-year-old Outhmane B. of his Dutch nationality. B. traveled to Syria with his family in 2014 and followed jihadist training courses there. He was put on the national terrorism list in […]
Law Enforcement
Groningen man, 48, arrested on terrorism charges in Dutch village
(Dutch News) A 48-year-old man from Groningen has been arrested on charges of preparing to carry out a terrorist attack, the public prosecution department said on Wednesday. The man, a dual Dutch and Algerian national, was arrested 10 days ago at a […]
Children & Teens
Jihadi women and children are a real threat: Dutch counter-terrorism chief
(Dutch News) Dutch women and children who have spent time in IS-held territory in Syria are a “real threat” to the Netherlands, according to the latest report by the Dutch counter-terrorism unit NCTV. Currently some 10 women and 25 children are being […]
Children & Teens
Terrorism still a real threat in Netherlands: counter-terrorism coordinator
(NL Times) There are still jihadists who are making plans to commit an attack in the Netherlands, the National Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism and Security NCTV said in its latest threat assessment. The chance of an attack in the Netherlands remains real, and […]
Academics & Education
Dutch teacher suspended for insulting Prophet Muhammad
(NL Times) A teacher was suspended from the Hoofdvaart College in Hoofddorp in January for insulting the Prophet Mohammad, the Telegraaf reports based on the suspension letter from the school management, which the newspaper has in its possession. According to the letter, […]
Beards
Council was right to ban beard and cut claimant’s benefits, court says
(Dutch News) Amersfoort city council was within its rights to reduce the welfare benefits of a man who refused to shave his beard while following training to work with asbestos, administrative appeal court judges said on Tuesday. The man needed to shave […]
Legal
Public prosecutor pins evidence hopes on IS payroll information
(Dutch News) The Dutch public prosecution department has payroll lists with the names of people who worked for IS, including jihadis who have returned to the Netherlands, the AD said on Friday. The department is using the lists, which cover the period […]
Government & Politics
Amsterdam CS attacker will ‘do worse’ if gov’t doesn’t act against Wilders
(NL Times) The man suspected of committing a terrorist attack at Amsterdam Central Station in August intends to do worse if the Dutch government does not intervene against PVV leader Geert Wilders, he said during a proforma hearing on Friday. He also intends to deal with Wilders himself, […]
Children & Teens
Up to 5 years in prison demanded for performing exorcism on 9 y.o. boy
(NL Times) The public prosecutor demanded up to five years in prison against three adults who tried to perform an exorcism on a 9-year-old boy from Venlo. The boy’s mother and a couple she’s friends with tried to expel a jinn — […]
Government & Politics
The Netherlands won’t take back IS fighters, despite Trump’s call
(Dutch News) The Netherlands has no intention of bringing back IS fighters despite US president Donald Trump’s call on European countries to do so, foreign minister Stef Blok has confirmed. “The Netherlands is not taking any IS fighters,” Blok said in Brussels […]
Academics & Education
Dutch to investigate foreign-funded weekend schools as Turkey backs 12
(Dutch News) The Dutch cabinet is to set up an investigation into informal weekend schools in the Netherlands following the news that Turkey is to fund 12 Saturday and Sunday schools for children aged six to 17. The aim is to find […]
Government & Politics
Banning foreign funding for mosques ‘problematic,’ minister says
(Dutch News) More research is need[ed] to establish if and how the government can stop money from what it calls restrictive countries reaching Dutch religious institutions, social affairs minister Wouter Koolmees has told MPs in a briefing. The government included a commitment […]
Converting to Islam
Dutch former anti-Muslim politician converts to Islam Joram van Klaveren is the second ex-PVV politician to convert.
(Politico) A former member of Geert Wilders’ far-right Dutch party announced Monday that he has converted to Islam. Joram Van Klaveren said he made the switch from critic to convert while writing a book about Islam. “During that writing I came across more […]
Children & Teens
Dutch are ‘looking into’ bringing IS children back to the Netherlands
(Dutch News) The Netherlands is “looking into” the option of trying to move Dutch women and children living in refugee camps in Syria to safe areas where they can return to the Netherlands, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus has told broadcaster NOS. “What […]
History
Daughter of survivors rejects Holocaust museum’s plan to mark modern-day refugees
(JTA) A daughter of survivors said she would stop giving talks at a Dutch Holocaust museum because it planned to host an event in support of modern-day refugees. Lea van Coeverden is critical of the Camp Westerbork memorial museum’s plan to host […]
Citizenship
Jihadist stripped of Dutch nationality
(NL Times) Convicted jihadist Marouane B. from Arnhem is no longer a Dutch national. State Secretary Mark Harbers of Justice and Security stripped his Dutch nationality, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed to NU.nl after reports in the Telegraaf. B., who traveled to […]
History
Former Nazi camp in Holland to host event for refugees
(JTA) A Dutch museum commemorating a Nazi concentration camp defended its plan to host there an event about the plight of modern-day refugees. The plan by Memorial Center Camp Westerbork, which was announced last week, prompted an outcry by local Jews, who […]
Demonstrations
Arrests made after Pegida protest in Utrecht
(NL Times) Three persons were arrested after a demonstration by anti-Islam movement Pegida in the Utrecht district of Zuilen on Wednesday evening. Towards the end of the demonstration, the situation became unsettled and there were various vandalism incidents. The detainees were counter-protesters, […]
Government & Politics
Fmr. justice min. can be called to testify in Wilders hate speech trial
(NL Times) The appeal in the hate speech case against PVV leader Geert Wilders will continue. The court in The Hague saw no reason to declare the public prosecutor inadmissible, as Wilders had requested. The court will, however, allow the defense to call former […]
Books
Books promoting radical Islam in Dutch high-security prison library
(Dutch News) Books by radical Muslims, including by people banned from entering the UK for praising suicide bombings, are available in the library at the high-security prison in Vught, the Telegraaf said on Friday. MPs from the Christian Democratic party CDA and […]
Law Enforcement
Another terrorism arrest in Rotterdam, site of the national fireworks show
(NL Times) Another Rotterdam man was arrested on suspicion of involvement in terrorist-related crimes, the public prosecutor’s office said on Monday. The arrest is not connected to the arrest of four men in Rotterdam over the weekend, suspected of plotting a terrorist […]
Law Enforcement
Five terror suspects held in Netherlands, Germany
(AFP) Dutch security forces arrested four people in the port city of Rotterdam on Saturday on suspicion of preparing for a “terrorist crime,” police said, while a fifth suspect was detained in Germany. Elite counter-terrorism units and police arrested the men and […]
Clothing
Dutch supermarket dismisses anti-Semitism claim as misunderstanding
(JTA) Bloggers published a video on YouTube Friday showing an employee of the Netherlands’ largest supermarket chain laughing as a man wearing a kippah walks by. The Albert Heijn chain dismissed the footage Tuesday as a misunderstanding. The bloggers, who run the […]
Law Enforcement
Dutch ‘radical Islamist’ arrested in Spain after ‘odd’ behaviour
(Dutch News) Police in Catalonia in Spain have arrested “radical Islamist” and Dutch national Khalid Makran, Spanish newspaper El País reported on Monday. Makran, who has a criminal record, was detained after a tip-off by the intelligence services to the national police, […]
Demographics
Dutch still get it wrong on Muslims, immigration numbers
(Dutch News) The Dutch continue to overestimate the number of Muslims in the Netherlands and the percentage of the population born abroad, according to new figures from the ongoing Ipsos Perils of Perception survey. The research, which takes place in 37 countries, […]
Government & Politics
Man who threatened Geert Wilders in kebab shop video ‘was not alone’
(Dutch News) The Pakistan national arrested at The Hague’s main railway station in August after placing a video on Facebook in which he appears to say he is planning to attack Geert Wilders did not travel within the Netherlands alone. The public […]
Academics & Education
No compensation for Muslim sisters who missed school photograph
(Dutch News) A school in The Hague does not have to pay compensation to two Muslim sisters who missed their annual school photograph because it clashed with the end of Ramadan, appeal court judges said on Tuesday. A lower court last year […]
Government & Politics
Wilders’ ‘fewer Moroccans’ trial restarts, focus on former minister
(Dutch News) Appeal court judges will today begin three days of procedural hearings in the Geert Wilders “fewer Moroccans” case, as the PVV leader re-starts an appeal against his earlier conviction. The original appeal began in May but Wilders’ legal team successfully […]
Government & Politics
Chief rabbi says Dutch Labour Party opposed an anti-Semitism definition to woo Muslims
(JTA) Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs said he was “shocked” that the Labour Party rejected a motion calling for the adoption of a definition of anti-Semitism, saying its vote aimed to curry favor with some Muslim voters. On Tuesday, a majority of […]
Clothing
Burka ban applies to everyone, including the large cities, Dutch PM says
(NL Times) The burka ban will apply to everyone, also the Netherlands’ large cities, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in reaction to the news that the large cities won’t prioritize enforcement of this ban on face-covering clothing. “Let us first implement the law. […]
Clothing
Amsterdam obeys the law, says mayor about burqa ban row
(Dutch News) Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema told a full meeting of the city council on Wednesday that her comments about the pending “burqa ban” had been misunderstood. Halsema was criticised by MPs and ministers for telling local broadcaster AT5 that she did […]