Full article: Muslim party to take part in Dutch local elections; Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague included

The Nederlandse Moslim Partij (NMP), or Dutch Muslim Party will take part in local elections in five Dutch municipalities next year, Dutch press agency ANP reports.

The party, founded in 2007, includes both native Dutch and 'allochtone' men and women. It aims to present a more positive image of Islam.

According to figures issued by Statistics Netherlands, approximately 5 percent of the Dutch population is Muslim.

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Full article: Dalai Lama to visit Netherlands

Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, will soon visit the Netherlands.

Naturally, the Chinese government -- always a bundle of pleasure and joy -- is upset, and has already warned the Dutch government of possible consequences.

But what do Amsterdam's Chinese residents think of the upcoming visit? Radio Netherlands reports...

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Full article: Amsterdam history: The Alteration

Until 1578 Amsterdam was largely Cathlolic, with two large parish churches -- the Oude Kerk (Old Church) and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) -- as well as six chapels along with numerous monasteries and convents.

But in 1578 Calvinists seized power and Amsterdam became the Protestant capital of an infant Dutch republic.

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