Moslimdiscriminatie Concepten, verschijningsvormen en ontwikkelingen in Nederland

The term ‘Muslim discrimination’ has gained in prominence when referring to the ways Muslims in the Netherlands are structurally disadvantaged, treated unequally and confronted with offensive and hateful speech. This article argues that there are several trends that can explain the growing importance of the term and distinguishes three different forms of Muslim discrimination: (1) limiting religious freedoms of Muslims in discriminatory ways compared to the religious and non-religious ways of life of others; (2) reducing social life opportunities and inequal treatment of persons in relation to their (assumed) religious identity in societal domains and non-religious fields of activity (work, education, health, housing); (3) expressions of hostility towards Muslims in speech, actions or attitudes. The article then illustrates how these forms of Muslim discrimination exist in the Netherlands and how they systematically harm the lives of individuals and populations who are, or are seen as, Muslim.