“We need to remain Muslims and at the same time respect the other's religion, race and color,” said Budak.

ROTTERDAM, June 15, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Young Dutch Muslims are now taking the lead from older generations and are qualified enough to steer the minority's integration drive.

“Young Dutch Muslims better understand the nature of society as they master the native language and are fully aware of its culture and laws,” Zekerya Budak, a young Muslim activist, told IslamOnline.net.

Budak, who was reelected on Sunday, June 12, as president of the Forum of the Representatives of the Islamic Organizations in Rotterdam (SPIOR), said young Muslims are part and parcel of society, but must not let their Islamic identity melt away.

“We need to remain Muslims and at the same time respect the other's religion, race and color as we are closely-knit by a sense of patriotism,” he said.

“We need tactful youths in peace with themselves, who are up-to-date and know how to run matters in a collective and democratic spirit,” said Arab-Turkish Budak.

Rotterdam has a sizable Muslim population of 80,000 people in addition to 25,000 others in its suburbs.

It is home to 30 Ottoman-style mosques in addition to two Islamic universities, two high schools and five preparatory schools. A grand mosque with a 50-meter minaret is due to open this Ramadan.

The activist said SPIOR shoulders the task of liaising with Dutch authorities on behalf of the Muslim minority within its role as one of the largest and oldest recognized Muslim organization in the Netherlands with 45 affiliate bodies.

Budak was reelected with 16 votes in favor against 12 for his closest rival. Six more young Muslims, including a woman, have been also elected to the seven-seat body.

“The Forum succeeded in taking challenges into its stride over the past years, thanks to a vigorous team of young Muslims,” Budak said.

Though strongly condemning the incident, Dutch Muslims experienced hard times after the killing of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, blamed on a Dutch-Moroccan over an anti-Islam documentary.

Europe’s main rights and democracy watchdog, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), expressed concern last month at increasing Dutch intolerance towards Muslims and the “climate of fear” under which the minority was living.

Budak said the Forum’s future agenda is focused on cementing ties with authorities and championing Muslim causes, particularly in Rotterdam.

He said SPIOR further pays due attention to key role played by women in Dutch society.

"We are set to participate heavily in inter-faith dialogues and conferences on Islam hosted by Rotterdam," Budak added.

Established in 1988, the Forum is also helping provide Muslim chaplains to prisons and hospitals as well as teachers to Muslim and Dutch schools.

There are one million Muslims in the Netherlands, mostly hailing from Turkish and Moroccan origin.

There are more than 300 mosques in the Netherlands, 1000 Islamic cultural centers, and 42 preparatory schools.