Islam First Religion in Amsterdam 
AMSTERDAM, July 30 (IslamOnline) – A population statistic in the Netherlands unveiled that
Islam comes on top of the list of religions in the capital Amsterdam. Other religions, such as Christianity (Catholics and Protestants), Judaism and other registered religions come after Islam.
The statistic, published in Dutch Metro daily newspaper Monday, July 29, 2002, stated that 13% of the capital’s population are Muslims. Not more than 10% are Catholics, 5% are followers of the Reformist Protestant Church, whereas only 1% are Jews. Followers of other religions together stand for 12%.
The Dutch paper, printing three million copies and distributed for free, reported that the number of Muslims in the early 20th century was insignificant. Only one Muslim was registered in the Civil Office in Amsterdam. However, in the beginning of the 21st century, Muslims represent the biggest religious mass, numbering, officially, 88,000, out of roughly over 600,000 people of Amsterdam.
There are several elements behind the fast spread of Islam, on top of which the fact that 59% of the Dutch capital’s population do not believe in any religion. Also it was realized that the effect of churches on the Dutch people retreated significantly in general, and in Amsterdam, in particular. That led many churches and Christian religious institutes to close down or sell their property, due to the decrease of attendance.
In return, many researchers believe that
Islam is spreading fast, as Muslims are more respectful of Islamic teachings, compared to followers of other religions. Also, Muslims tend to have many children.
Islam also attracts new followers, especially from African ethnic minorities or those who have no religion.
Several Dutch Muslims believe the number of Muslims in the capital is even bigger than the officially registered number. Thousands of Muslims live in the capital illegally, due to the tough immigration measures in the Netherlands.
Muslims also believe that they come first, in numbers, not just in Amsterdam, but also in other major Dutch cities, such as Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.
A previous Dutch statistic backed that fact when it said one child among each four children born in the Netherlands is Muslim. This means that half of those under 18 will be Muslims within the coming 20 years.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/724820/posts
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