This article explores the efforts of Dutch Muslim women who try to break the 'oppressed Muslim woman' stereotype by monitoring their own behaviour in everyday interactions with members of the non-Muslim ethnic majority. In representing themselves as modern and emancipated, they try to change the dominant image of Muslim women in Dutch society, and thus also that of Islam. Based on interviews and archival material, I demonstrate that initially this strategy was mostly adopted by Dutch converts to Islam, and later also by 'born' Muslim women. Why do more and more Muslim women turn themselves into 'ambassadors' of Islam? And what are the costs of this form of self-essentiali zation? This article demonstrates the usefulness of studying self-representations of minority groups in the light of existing stereotypes, arguing that Muslim women's self-representations should be seen as part of a politics of belonging.

This article explores statements made by Dutch Muslims against violent extremism, and explains these statements in the context of the growing pressure exerted on Muslim minorities in Europe to present themselves as peaceful and loyal citizens. It problematises the often-repeated call on Muslims to denounce terrorism, and reveals that Dutch Muslims have condemned violent extremism more often than is commonly acknowledged. However, essentialist statements about Islam as a violent religion often provoke competing essentialisms of Islam as a 'religion of peace' . In analysing such statements as 'performative performances' , the author demonstrates how public debate about violent extremism feeds into Muslim perceptions of what Islam 'really' is.

Since the 9/11 attacks, Muslims in Europe have been urged to denounce terrorism. Many Muslims experience a constant pressure to show that they are peaceful and loyal citizens. Based on archival material and semi-structed interviews, this article explores how Dutch Muslims deal with this pressure, and provides an analysis of critical interventions made by Muslims in public debate about violent extremism. What motivates some Muslims to speak up against acts of terror committed in the name of Islam, whereas other Muslims openly refuse to make such statements despite cherishing equally little support for such violence? This article provides crucial insights into the ways in which the "culturalization of citizenship" is reinforced and contested by those whose belonging in Dutch society is being questioned. It also raises questions about what it means for Muslims to "talk back" (as conceptualized by bell hooks) when the dominant majority urges them to talk.

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