New report exposes contradictions in Netherlands’ policy toward Islamic world

A new investigative report by European policy platform “Modern Policy” has revealed the inherent contradictions shaping the Netherlands’ complex relationship with the Muslim world, oscillating between liberal democratic rhetoric and pragmatic economic interests rooted in colonial legacies.

The analysis traces Dutch-Islamic ties to 16th-century trade with Southeast Asia, which evolved into a 300-year colonial occupation of Indonesia. During this period, Dutch authorities—wary of Islam’s societal influence—employed orientalists like Snouck Hurgronje to devise policies separating religion from politics while curtailing the role of scholars and mosques.

Post-WWII migration from Turkey, Morocco, and Suriname brought Islam into Dutch society, transforming Muslim integration into a political battleground. Populist parties have weaponized national identity debates, even as the Netherlands maintains vital economic partnerships with Muslim-majority nations in energy, trade, and infrastructure.

The report highlights stark inconsistencies, such as the 2017 Dutch-Turkey diplomatic crisis when the Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from campaigning on its soil. Similar tensions with Saudi Arabia and Iran reveal a pattern: public criticism of human rights records coexists with robust behind-the-scenes trade relations.

The study concludes that the Netherlands’ central challenge lies not in cultural differences but in the widening gap between its proclaimed liberal values and realpolitik actions. This precarious balancing act—between ideological posturing and economic pragmatism—continues to define its engagement with Muslim communities and states.