Lintjesregen 2026: Royal distinction for Alper Alasag

On Friday, April 24, the day of the traditional “Lintjesregen” on the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, Alper Alasag was appointed Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau. This appointment is an expression of the great appreciation for Alper Alasag’s many years of dedication to ‘connection’ and ‘dialogue’.

Alper Alasag has been committed as a volunteer for more than 30 years to fostering connection within the Islamic faith community, as well as to dialogue with people of different (secular or religious) life orientations. In her speech, the mayor, Ms. Carola Schouten, referred to the inspiring contribution of Alper Alasag to, among others, the Stichting Platform INS, the national foundation Interreligious Dialogue, and as chairman to the board of the Prinsjesdag celebration. She praised the great importance of Alper Alasag’s contribution to a tolerant society – not only in Rotterdam but throughout the Netherlands and far beyond – in which everyone feels seen and heard regardless of their personal worldview.

We, as IDEIS, consider it an honor that Alper Alasag uses his qualities and his almost inexhaustible energy together with us for dialogical spaces where people – with due respect for their worldview – learn with and from each other to live together in peace.