Information-Dutch Intelligence Observes ‘New Phase’ In Islamic Radicalisation

Source:AIVD website

The General Intelligence and Security Service of The Netherlands (Algemene Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst-AIVD) has recently issued an report into a new development in Islamic Radicalisation within the Netherlands that is bound to have implications within Europe-especially within Germany and the United Kingdom

The report titled ‘The radical dawa in transition’ the AIVD states in the report that “the dawn of the new phase of Islamic neo-radicalism is connected to a rapid expansion of a move within radical Islam, which is called ‘radical dawa’. In the Netherlands this movement especially shows itself in political salafism. The AIVD establishes that the radical dawa in the Netherlands and Europe is becoming more and more professional”.

“Despite its non-violent character, the radical dawa is an extremely intolerant and anti-democratic movement. Followers of the radical dawa strive for a large degree of isolation, combined with intolerance towards dissenters.”

“The AIVD emphasizes that the group of individuals which is sensitive and open to the radical Islamic message is growing. The AIVD also states, however, that the scope of present Muslim radicalism cannot be overestimated nor underestimated.”

The AIVD (previously known as the Binnenlandse Veiligheidsdienst, Domestic Security Service or BVD) was heavily criticised after the attacks on 9th September 2001 for not focusing on the Islamic fundamentalism movement and the extreme right-wing, concentrating instead on extreme left wing activities.

Subsequent revelations relating to the murder of Theo Van Gogh by Mohammed Bouyeri a member of the Hofstad Network has now seen a re-doubling of efforts, including research and an ‘academic’ approach as well as the counter-terrorist aspects to intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

The AIVD is now seen as one of the premier intelligence agencies working on the subject and is influencing thinking within Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

For Futher Reading:

Radical Dawa in Transition
Violent Jihad in the Netherlands
From Dawa to Jihad
AIVD Report on Activities 2005