The Netherlands: Racism in Europe's bastion of liberal tolerance?

The arrival of Saint Nicholas at the end of November laden with gifts for the kids of Netherlands is a treasured annual event for Dutch families.

But as part of this tradition, white men play the part of Black Peter, Santa’s “African” helper. They wear silk britches and darken their faces with black boot-polish. This inevitably triggers an impassioned debate over whether the event is a cute tradition or a racist affront to Dutch society.

This year things took an uglier turn. Video footage of several Dutch policemen manhandling a pair of Caribbean-born artists wearing “Black Peter is Racism” T-shirts has prompted renewed soul-searching about how the famously-liberal Netherlands seems to have surged to the forefront of a new wave of European intolerance.

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Netherlands: "The Wilders Cabinet", a Ménage à trois or a one man show?

It looks like Geert Wilders (PVV), Mark Rutte (VVD),  and Maxime Verhagen of the CDA will  soon be forming a new Dutch right-wing cabinet  If it really happens, and no-one seems totally sure, it will be a first in Dutch political history where the controlling political faction ( PVV of Wilders) in this extraordinary coalition will be operating as an "outside supporter" of the government, but wielding most of the power

If this Wilders Cabinet comes about  it can only count on a majority of one, with the "de facto PM" Wilders still as free as a bird to spout all his one-liner derogatory comments around, but this time with the blessing of VVD's Mark Rutte and CDA's Maxime Verhagen.  One Dutch politician called this possible new coalition Government  a "Ménage à trois turning into a one man show".        ( Mark Rutte)
 
(Maxime Verhagen)  In a taste of what is to come Geert Wilders said he felt his party came under attack by the Dutch Queen when in a speech on the occasion of an annual Dutch ceremony celebrating the opening of the new parliamentary year, she referred to the need for a 'stable government' , interpreted by many as pointing the finger at Wilders.

In the speech, the queen also got into "hot water" again when she said: 'That requires give and take, tolerance and also adaptation. This is the responsibility of us all.'   Following the Queens remarks Wilders told the press: 'We have to get rid of this sort of political correctness.

' The queen's speech to Parliament, written by the outgoing PM Balkenende, also contained details of proposed budget cuts for the upcoming parliamentary year. Among the numerous budget cuts announced  it was also revealed that Dutch royalty is included in the "bite" of these budget cuts. Members of the royal family, other than the Queen and her direct heir, will now have have to pay inheritance and gift taxes, and  pay all expenses for personal travel.

EU-Digest

LJWorld.com: Saudis set poor example for religious tolerance - by Joel Brinkley - McClatchy-Tribune News Service

For the complete report from the LJWorld.com click on this link

Saudis set poor example for religious tolerance - by Joel Brinkley - McClatchy-Tribune News Service

If you are the undisputed monarch of a wealthy nation, you probably think you can say or do most anything without repercussion. But when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia stood before the United Nations earlier this month to proclaim his opposition to “religious intolerance,” anyone listening would have to think: Of all the gall! Abdullah actually sponsored the event: a U.N. conference on interfaith dialogue. The amazing thing is that any Saudi who advocates “interfaith dialog” is likely to be arrested, tried and executed — beheaded by sword. President Bush was among the heads of state who attended Abdullah’s conference. Oh, the price we have to pay to assure an uninterrupted supply of oil. Abdullah’s “interfaith dialogue” is the most compelling recent argument for launching a major new program to achieve energy independence. Saudi Arabia, it happens, is the world’s most intolerant state on religious matters. Sure, many other nations are guilty of atrocities committed in the name of religion. We humans have a long and sorry history of that. Today, however, only in Saudi Arabia are these rules institutionalized on such a broad scale — and enforced. Consider a few recent decisions both amusing and grave. Last summer, the kingdom banned the ownership of cats and dogs. Why on earth? It turns out that the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (a.k.a., the religious police) found that men out walking their dogs were apt to chat with a woman they happened to pass in the park.

In his address to the U.N. conference, Abdullah implored: “We say today with a single voice that the religions through which Almighty God sought to bring happiness to mankind should not be turned into instruments to cause misery.” If only the king would follow his own advice.

The Dallas Morning News: Vatican - Pope's comments seem to throw cold water on worth of interfaith dialogue - by Bruce Tomaso

For the complete report from The Dallas Morning News click on this link

Vatican - Pope's comments seem to throw cold water on worth of interfaith dialogue

No one who knows anything about Pope Benedict XVI believes he is ever going to be enthusiastic about interfaith discussions if they put the various faiths involved on equal footing -- if, in other words, an underlying assumption of such talks is that Islam, or Judaism, or Buddhism, or whatever, is as valid a way of expressing human understanding of God as is Christianity. In Benedict's mind, that is simply not the case: The pope, make no mistake, is Catholic.

Benedict praised a forthcoming book about Christianity, saying it "explained with great clarity" that "an inter religious dialogue in the strict sense of the word is not possible." In theological terms, he added, "a true dialogue is not possible without putting one's faith in parentheses." His comments were contained in a letter to Marcello Pera, the author of the new book, "Why We Must Call Ourselves Christian," which argues that Europe should stay true to its Christian roots. That's a point Benedict has made many times, even as Europe at once grows more secular, and more religiously diverse.

Note EU-Digest: Faith is not what the Pope or any other religious leader tells us, but faith is what you feel in your heart. Religious "man-made" doctrine has been a curse to the world, history proves that.

DW: Spain - Alliance of Civilizations Kicks Off in Madrid

For the complete report from the Deutsche Welle click on this link

Spain - Alliance of Civilizations Kicks Off in Madrid

A controversial new UN forum opened in Madrid Tuesday designed to avert what has become known as the clash of civilizations, in the wake of Sept. 11 and the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people. The Alliance of Civilizations is the brainchild of the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who launched it four years ago together with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to tackle intolerance and promote understanding, dialogue and reconciliation between world cultures. In 2005, it was adopted by the UN and now has the backing of more than 80 nations. The first Alliance of Civilizations Forum taking place this week aims to "mobilize those great majorities of the population who want to, and know how to, live in peace," said the Spanish premier in his inaugural address. "It wants to contribute to isolating extremist and intolerant discourses on the part of those who try to utilize religion or culture for political purposes." The forum seeks to "avoid the predicted clash of civilizations, by promoting security, understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect in a globalized world," he said.

Also attending are Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, and former Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, the UN high representative for the Alliance of Civilizations -- along with some 400 other representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society groups and philanthropic foundations.Other participants in the forum's two plenary sessions will include Turkey's Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk, Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, Queen Noor of Jordan, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa and the former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

Garowe Online - Islamophobia, racism grip Europe

For the complete report from Garowe Online click on this link

Islamophobia, racism grip Europe

Europe is gripped by a dangerous rising of racism and xenophobia and the traditional European values of tolerance and welcome are washing away with European politicians fueling racist prejudices against foreigners across the continent, said a new report by a pan-European rights commission.

"The overall picture as regards contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination is complex and worrying," said the report which was released Friday, May 15, by the Council of Europe's Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The report said that intensified manifestations of racism and intolerance can be observed in all Europe of Council's 46 member-states.

"We're starting to shut people out of our communities, it's a very sad development," ECRI president Eva Smith-Asmussen told reporters to mark the release of the report.

The Seattle Times: Bulgaria: "Stylish Sofia " - by Carol Pucci

For the complete report in the Seattle Times Newspaper click on this link

Bulgaria: "Stylish Sofia" - by Carol Pucci

In the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, the "S" stands for style. The latest trend is the open-air lounge furnished with couches upholstered in suede and living room-style coffee tables.

Sofia's a bargain as big cities go. It would be stretching it to call it the next Prague, but there's plenty of churches, museums, markets, parks and gardens to easily fill two days, and lots of stylish restaurants and cafes.

Sofia's history comes together in its mix of Christian Orthodox, Islamic and Jewish churches. There is a Banya Bashi mosque, built by the Ottoman Turks in the 16th century. Facing the mosque is Sofia's Jewish quarter where an Israeli investor has restored a historic indoor market, called the Hali, filled with shops selling wine, olives, bread and cheeses. Behind the market is a Jewish synagogue.