Violence against Muslims, Mosques largely unreported in the Netherlands

Mosque leaders choose not to make the violence against their address public

Violent incidents directed against mosques are increasingly common occurrences and happen far more often than is reported in the media, according to researcher Ineke van der Valk.

“Many Mosque leaders choose not to make the violence against their address public”, Valk said to Dutch newspaper Trouw.

Van der Valk has been researching aggression against Muslims and Mosques from the University of Amsterdam for several years. She bases her research on reports in the media, figures from mosque dome organizations and reports received by a hotline set up by Muslims. Last year there were 28 cases. This year’s counter is already at 18.

Whether or not the police saw an increase in aggression towards Muslims, it will only be clear when they publish their figures on reports filed last year in the summer. In 2013 the police counted 150 cases of Muslim discrimination and anti-Muslim violence. In 2014 there were 206.