“‘Disrespectful behaviour, not Islam, is the problem’: PM,” from Expatica, with thanks to Susan:
AMSTERDAM – Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has expressed understanding for people who are offended by the link made between Islam and the problems in Dutch society.
“The problem is not Islam but disrespectful behaviour,” Balkenende said in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
Of course. That’s it. Why didn’t I think of that? I should have been tipped off by Osama bin Laden’s Declaration of Jihad Against Respectful Behavior.
He was addressing the closing session of the Islam & Integration debates that were held to increase understanding between the native Dutch and Muslim communities in the port city….
He ended his remarks by saying: “If Muslims always have to defend themselves, we will never come to a solution for the problems . because what is the problem here? Not Islam! But the disrespectful behaviour of certain individuals and groups – both Muslims and non-Muslims”.
Balkenende indicated he was a supporter of dealing resolutely with people who incite hatred, intimidate and use violence against others, schools or mosques.
Apparently in a reference to young right-wingers who identify themselves by wearing Lonsdale clothing, he added: “Let this be clear for people who, by their clothing for instance, want to identify themselves with reprehensible doctrines. But also for groups of immigrant youths who behave in an intimidating way”.
“Those who try to incite angst in others tear at precisely what we are trying to build together in the Netherlands. This poison must not be allowed to spread,” the Christian Democrat CDA leader said.
Balkenende said the acceptance of newcomers into the Netherlands was of great importance. “This is a task for us all: in our local districts, at work, in the street and in the club, everywhere.”
Integration, he added, was more than a course of study. “Integration is blending in the greater whole, without denying your identity”.
Asked by a teen boy in the audience what the term integration meant, Balkenende stumbled slightly over his words before saying it was about contributing and participating in society.…
The boy seems to have stumbled on to something here. What does “integration” mean, anyway? Does it mean the majority tolerating “disrespectful behavior”? Ah, the boys don’t mean it; they’re just youthful ruffians. Boys will be boys, after all. Of course, we make it worse for ourselves by not cooperating…oh, uh, I mean educating, ourselves about the special nature of their religion and all their special needs. And we make them feel bad about themselves, so they become violent, you see… But what about the victims, you say? Van Gogh? Oh, don’t ask about him, he had it coming, he was just trying to stir up trouble. Spreading Islamophobia, he was.