Controversial politician urges Dutch to be more curious about other cultures

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2005

AMSTERDAM (AFP) — Somali-born liberal Dutch member of parliament Ayaan Hirsi Ali, known for her outspoken criticism of Islam, called on the Dutch to show more curiosity about other cultures in their own country to dispel stereotypes.

"Stereotypes now prevail. Segregation means stereotypes will remain. You need to have contact (with different cultures) to see the stereotypes are not true," she said in a speech for the opening of the academic year at the University of Amsterdam.

"Everybody can contribute to this by greeting someone, getting a coffee together," she said.

Hirsi Ali has been under round-the-clock protection since being threatened following the murder of outspoken filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an Islamic radical last November.

Ethnic tensions...