Reflection on Ian Buruma's Murder in Amsterdam

I found Ian Buruma’s Murder in Amsterdam to be extremely effective in clarifying the many cultural conflicts that plague our international community today. Our generation has been indoctrinated with the concept that the Western democratic, capitalistic model is not only universally applicable, but also universally essential. However, this “Golden Straitjacket” is, as its name suggests, constricting, a potentially fatal characteristic in a modern society of constant change.

Buruma challenges his readers to reassess the unconditional validity of such human rights as freedom of speech. While liberty of expression is certainly an indispensable right, it has also proven to be a source of violence and frustration. Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s film Submission, directed by Theo van Gogh, illuminated some of the oppressive tendencies of Muslim men towards women. However, scenes of nude women praying outraged the devout Islam community, scandalized many, and, ultimately, provoked Mohammed Bouyeri to assassinate van Gogh in the name of his religion. While Ali’s aim was to “’get a discussion going, and needle people into thinking’” (177), she seems to have further alienated the fundamentalist faction of Islam. Ali was well within her right to screen such a film, but was it wise? The true value in a democratic society where free speech is encouraged is to provide an open floor for discussion and challenging of ideals. However, when unregulated expression leads instead to more misunderstandings and closed doors, it seems inadvisable. 

         Buruma concludes his novel by stating, “Europe provides the freedom to explore, to reform, and to challenge…The only chance for a peaceful future is for European Islam to accommodate itself to liberal democracy” (259). Perhaps Ayaan Hirsi Ali would be more effective in reaching her audience if she offered it a home in the very nation that took her in as an asylum seeker.