Good Hope? A reflection on an exhibition on South Africa – the Netherlands relations since 1600.
February 17th 2017. Adriaan van Dis, a well respected intellectual TV personality and author, took part in a Dutch talk show (De Wereld Draait Door) to give an announcement on an exhibition kicking off on the relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa since 1600. ‘What happens when a bunch…
China: flipping the (non)-interfering coin
Africa as a natural resource rich continent has attracted many non-African states to invest and trade. Both Western countries and China have been engaged in Africa for centuries (Dorman, 2014). However, there have been significant differences in terms of approach. Western diplomacy is characterised by interfering with the alter nation’s…
Namibia: the good, bad and its cry for dignity.
Namibia. - As part of a self enriching journey, I have lived in South Africa for half a year during 2015. Only a few weeks before my return to the Netherlands, I drove with two travel companions to beautifully diverse neighbouring country Namibia. This blog is not so much touching…
Queen Bee?!
The 'Gender Gap' policy, with its purpose to increase the number of women up to 30% in top positions on the workforce, has been reached in Dutch governmental organizations (note: not in business life). Now what? It's not that all of a sudden we have become more he for she;…
Veggie Tajine
Veggie Tajine for Three This tajine is not only super easy to cook and delicious, but also perfect for social settings. It must be cooked in an actual tajine; this determines many of the flavours. Buy yourself a tajine and enjoy the oriental flavours that accompany it. Ingredients 4 Potatoes…
Is the International Criminal Court biased?
As (somewhat) positivists, we believe in the international system. It is the law that aims to prevent amongst others gross human rights violations. Nevertheless, since there is no enforcement mechanism in international law, the existence of international courts and tribunal are essential in establishing justice. The news of certain African…
Perfectionism, it ain’t all that.
“Fear is just perfectionism in really good shoes.” A quote from Elizabeth Gilbert I read the other day. That’s exactly what it is. When we have job interviews we mention it as ‘a bad habit’ secretly hoping and knowing that the interviewer sees it as something positive. It means you…
Fantastic Four Soups
It's getting colder in the northern hemisphere. And I don't like it. But, I do have to admit that I am able to enjoy a cold Autumn Sunday afternoon as it serves a perfect experimental getaway in the kitchen. There is no day during Autumn and Winter that goes by…
What Happens When Imams Become Islamic Feminists?
“You are not allowed to attend the funeral, because there is a chance you may be inclined to jump in the grave or disrupt the ceremony with your crying. Women are just too emotional.” On the day of the burial of my late uncle, the women in my family and…
Lecture on Inspiring Female Muslim Thinkers
Anne Dijk, religious scientist and theologian, is the founder of the Fahm Institute. On October 2nd, she will give a lecture on the importance and influence of the role of Muslim women in history and to what extent their contributions still affect today's modern society. What do we actual know about such female…
