THE OLD OAK is a touching reminder of our shared humanity at a time of crises that affect individuals and communication due to local, national, and international challenges of identity, status, and belonging. The holiday this time of year provides stacks of opportunities to try and not do very much and, in some cases, find…… Continue reading The Old Oak: A film review
Tag: Exceptionalism
Fragmented Societies and the Dangers of Exclusive Nationalism
The rise in popularity of majoritarian nationalism, populism, authoritarianism, and nativist jingoism in national politics has occurred recently not only in South America (with Argentina) but also in Europe (with recent examples in Italy and the Netherlands). These concerns add to the ongoing debate over how to address issues of pluralism, diversity, and inclusion, despite…… Continue reading Fragmented Societies and the Dangers of Exclusive Nationalism
End Spying on Dutch Muslims
The recent disclosure of covert investigations conducted by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs targeting Muslims and mosques has raised significant concerns. According to NOS News, the ministry monitored mosques, gathered personal information, and surveilled members of the Muslim community, all without a valid legal justification. Furthermore, Minister Karien van Gennip has recently acknowledged in…… Continue reading End Spying on Dutch Muslims
Have a Very Merry Muslim Christmas
I have returned to the UK for a few days, and the experience has been intriguing. Each time I visit the UK, it feels like a completely different country compared to the Netherlands, where I now reside. The Dutch are predominantly Christian, with one in six having some form of ethnic heritage. In the Netherlands,…… Continue reading Have a Very Merry Muslim Christmas
The Football World Cup: A World in Qatari Hands—Not Quite!
The Football World Cup in Qatar started after a long build-up, and a lot of attention has been paid to issues such as the exploitation of migrant workers, corruption caused by working with and through FIFA to make this event happen, and worries about how Qatar treats people with different sexual orientations. Even though the…… Continue reading The Football World Cup: A World in Qatari Hands—Not Quite!