Islam in the Netherlands: Why Dutch Are Turning to Islam | 1 Million+ Muslims

Islam in the Netherlands: Why Dutch Are Turning to Islam | 1 Million+ Muslims This documentary explores Islam in the Netherlands and the integration of Muslims in the Netherlands, highlighting how Dutch Muslims build strong communities through traditions like Ramadan iftar dinners, mosque gatherings, and support networks for new arrivals. It also touches on the historical moment of Suriname’s independence in 1975, which contributed to the growth of the Muslim community in the Netherlands, and shows how cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam became places where Islamic life and Dutch culture coexist. Through the stories of Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, and other Muslim communities, the film reveals how migration shaped the rise of vibrant mosques in the Netherlands and how faith continues to be passed from one generation to the next. From early migration to the growth of Dutch Muslim youth, the documentary highlights how Islam became a lasting and visible part of modern Dutch society. Discover the powerful and often untold story of Islam in the Netherlands—a thriving Muslim community of more than one million people living in one of Europe’s most liberal and secular societies. Watch the full documentary to see how Islam continues to grow, adapt, and flourish in the Netherlands. Assalamu alaikum. What You’ll Learn • How Islam first reached Dutch ports in the 16th century through Ottoman and Persian merchants—long before modern migration. • The arrival of Turkish and Moroccan guest workers in the 1960s–70s and the birth of permanent Muslim communities. • Later migration waves from Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond that strengthened the ummah. • Three generations of Dutch Muslims and the central role of mosques in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other cities. • The challenges, remarkable contributions, and hopeful future of Islam as an integral part of Dutch society. Resources & Credits • Statistics Netherlands (CBS) — official demographic data on Muslims and migration • Pew Research Center — research on Muslim populations in Western Europe • ResearchGate — academic studies on Muslim communities in the Netherlands • Leiden University — research on Islam, integration, and Dutch history • European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights — reports on Muslim communities in Europe • Additional historical references on Ottoman–Dutch relations and modern European Islam Credits & Notes Stock photos and footage courtesy of Pexels and Pixabay. If this story moved you, like, comment, and subscribe to Islam’s Light for more documentaries about faith, history, and civilizations. What surprised you most about Islam in the Netherlands? Share your thoughts below. May Allah preserve the Muslims of the Netherlands and guide the ummah everywhere. Ameen. Assalamu alaikum. #IslamInNetherlands #IslamInEurope #DutchMuslims #riseofislam #islamineurope #islamslight2025