Ilyasse’s photo was shared en masse, this is his story

“After four minutes I deleted it from Facebook, but after two minutes it had already been screenshotted by someone.” And then the photo was widely shared: Ilyasse was even recognized on the street in his city yesterday and today. “I have received countless responses to it. From very positive and supportive messages to unfortunately also racist ones, although fortunately they form a sizeable minority,” says Ilyasse.

He gave on his LinkedIn page already a first reaction. He told RTL Nieuws that it said ‘sober’ almost two days after the exit poll. “The Netherlands is bigger than a possible Prime Minister Wilders. We have Dutch legislation that protects our country and us as citizens. I also see that in my environment, it is not that we have all suddenly become afraid.”

‘I’m going nowhere’

“We’ll see what will happen in the near future,” says Ilyasse. “I’m not going anywhere in any case. I was born here, studied at the UvA and now work at Leiden University. I am fully committed to society and will continue to do so.”

“But still,” says Ilyasse, “the result was clear. 37 seats is not nothing. I don’t really understand that so many people vote for the Party for Freedom, while that party actually wants to restrict freedoms. The post was originally intended as a joke among ourselves. But the more I think about it, it has become a joke with a serious wink.”

“I feel like I am both Moroccan and Dutch. And as Muslims in the Netherlands, we are expected to commit ourselves to society. But it is sometimes difficult to profile ourselves in this way when society is so polarized. The more I is addressed and seen as ‘the other’, the more difficult that becomes.”

Stay in conversation

“I think everyone should be respected.” And by everyone, the young Leiden resident really means everyone. “We as Muslim or Moroccan Dutch people. But also the PVV voter. I also think it is bad that many people do not dare to say that they voted for the PVV.”

Ilyasse likes to talk to them. “I think that is the best thing to do. And perhaps also our duty as Muslims and as people. When I hear from colleagues or neighbors that they voted for the PVV, I would like to know why. And I hope so. If it is because of their anti-Islam views that I may be able to change that a little bit. In any case, we must remain open to dialogue.”

“In recent days I have often heard from people that they voted for him because of his milder tone,” Ilyasse continues. “I hear that a lot around me and I find it special. Those people then tell me that they previously thought he had a lot of good points, but did not want to vote for him because he was so extremely anti-Islam. And that if he If he picks it up again, they won’t vote for him next time.”

Returning to the post, Ilyasse says that he is happy that his photo has sparked reactions and conversations. “It wasn’t the intention for it to go viral, but I think it did lead to new insights in some people. And that’s great.”