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