The Inhospitable Dutch
By David Aikman
Beyond The News
For centuries, the Dutch have been famous for providing a place of refuge for victims of religious persecution. Jews, persecuted Protestants and, in the 17th century, the Pilgrim Fathers themselves took refuge in Holland.
But that reputation has recently been tarnished when Dutch immigration authorities decided to strip a famous Somali refugee, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, of her citizenship because she admitted lying during an immigration application more than a decade ago. Ali, an elected member of the Dutch parliament, fled to Holland to escape a coerced marriage and has spoken out against Islamic mistreatment of women.
Ali has now been officially welcomed to the U.S., and may start a new life here. But what a shame for Holland to break its fine tradition of refuge to victims of foreign religious oppression.
Beyond The News
For centuries, the Dutch have been famous for providing a place of refuge for victims of religious persecution. Jews, persecuted Protestants and, in the 17th century, the Pilgrim Fathers themselves took refuge in Holland.
But that reputation has recently been tarnished when Dutch immigration authorities decided to strip a famous Somali refugee, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, of her citizenship because she admitted lying during an immigration application more than a decade ago. Ali, an elected member of the Dutch parliament, fled to Holland to escape a coerced marriage and has spoken out against Islamic mistreatment of women.
Ali has now been officially welcomed to the U.S., and may start a new life here. But what a shame for Holland to break its fine tradition of refuge to victims of foreign religious oppression.
posted by HeavyHanded at
9:56 AM
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