NETHERLANDS: COUNTRY SNAPSHOT FOR POLITICAL ISLAM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 THE HAGUE 001942 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA, EUR, SA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2013 TAGS: KISL PREL PHUM NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: COUNTRY SNAPSHOT FOR POLITICAL ISLAM WORKING GROUP REF: A. SECSTATE 205815 ¶B. THE HAGUE 1603 ¶C. TD-314/33365-03 JUN 27 03 ¶D. TD-314/02218-03 JAN 16 03 Classified By: A/PolCouns Nathaniel Dean Reasons 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) To date, only one political group in the Netherlands claims an Islamic political platform (AEL-NL, see A below). There are numerous Islamic based organizations and student groups, most of which are small in number and influence. With the exception of AEL-NL, Islamic organizations are normally interested solely in domestic issues that affect their members, such as integration and immigration policies, and freedom of religion and speech concerns. Answers below are keyed to ref A questions as appropriate: ¶A. Arab European League Netherlands (AEL Nederland or AEL-NL) -Assessment of AEL-NL per reftel: willing to engage in a democratic, pluralistic process but if given full power, would not respect the rights of non-Islamists, secularists, and/or minorities. (Note: There is no/no chance of AEL-NL gaining full power in the Netherlands. End Note.) -AEL-NL is a young organization that aspires to become a political party and activist Islamic movement. AEL-NL was formed in early 2003 as a branch of AEL, a Belgian organization. --Support for AEL Nederland is minimal. It claims approximately 800 members, primarily young second-generation Moroccans. Support is centered in metropolitan areas where such individuals reside (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven). --Agenda is domestic in nature, but it maintains a fierce anti-Israel stance. Members must be either Arab or Muslim. --N/A --N/A --While presenting itself as a democratic and moderate Islamic party, AEL-NL is viewed locally as an extremist group. To date Post is unaware of an active intra-islamic debate between AEL-NL and other Islamic groups in country. --No. The group does not show any willingness to cooperate politically with non-Islamic groups; it strongly opposes such interaction. --AEL-NL is, in general, more anti-Western than anti-American. ¶B. Islam and Citizenship (Islaam en Burgerschap) (IEB) --Assessment of Islam and Citizenship per reftel: Group which engages in a democratic, pluralistic process and does/would respect the rights of others as well as the principles of alternance of government. --IEB is an umbrella group for Islamic groups (including Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese) in the Netherlands. IEB works as an intermediary between the Dutch government and such groups. Its member organizations are concerned with domestic issues. --In general, the member organizations of this umbrella group view the Shari'ah as an elastic body of guidance able to evolve to fit contemporary circumstances. --N/A --IEB is at the forefront of facilitating intra-islamic debate between the Turkish, Moroccan, and Surinamese Islamic groups in country. --Yes. --IEB and its member organizations work closely with the Embassy and are sympathetic to U.S. and western societies. --Note: Member groups are comprised of: Islamic Center Netherlands (Islamitisch Centrum Nederland); Islamic Foundation Netherlands (Islamitische Stichting Nederland); Milli Gorus Northern Netherlands (Milli Gorus Noord Nederland); Dutch Islamic Federation (Nederlandse Islamitische Federatie); Dutch Muslim Council (Nederlandse Moslim Raad); Foundation for the Promotion of Arabic and Turkish Women and Families (St. Promotie door Arabische en Turkse Vrouwen en Gezinnen); Foundation of Dutch Muslim Woman (St. Nederlandse moslimvrouwen); Turkish Islamic Cultural Federation (Turks-Islamitisch Culturele Federatie); Union of Moroccan Muslim Organizations in the Netherlands (Unie van Marokkaanse Moslim Organisaties in Nederland); Council of Mosques (Raad van Moskeeen); Foundation Hague Islamic Platform (Stichting Haags Islamitisch Platform); Foundation Platform Islamic Organizations Rijmond (Stichting Platform Islamitische Organisaties Rijnmond); Brabant Islamic Council (Brabantse Islamitische Raad). ¶2. Post will report any additional information via septel. RUSSEL