Wilders bringing anti-Islam movement to U.S., world
An anti-Islam lawmaker in the Netherlands is forming an international alliance to spread his message across the West in a bid to ban immigration from Islamic countries, among other goals, the Associated Press reports.
Geert Wilders told the AP Thursday he will launch the movement late this year, initially in five countries: the U.S., Canada, Britain, France and Germany.
"The message, 'stop Islam, defend freedom,' is a message that's not only important for the Netherlands but for the whole free Western world," Wilders said at the Dutch parliament.
Among the group's aims will be outlawing immigration from Islamic countries to the West and a ban on Islamic Sharia law. Starting as a grass-roots movement, he hopes it eventually will produce its own lawmakers or influence other legislators.
Ayhan Tonca, a prominent spokesman for Dutch Muslims, said he feared Wilders message would fall on fertile ground in much of Europe, where anti-Islam sentiment has been swelling for years.
"So long as things are going badly with the economy, a lot of people always need a scapegoat," Tonca said. "At the moment, that is the Muslims in Western Europe."
Tonca called on "well meaning people in Europe to oppose this."
Known for his bleached-blond mop of hair, Wilders is a shrewd politician who has won awards in the Netherlands for his debating skills and regularly stands up for gay and women's rights.
But he rose to local and then international prominence with his firebrand anti-Islam rhetoric that has led to him being charged under Dutch anti-hate speech laws and banned from visiting Britain — until a court there ordered that he be allowed into the country.
He said he hopes to position the alliance between traditional conservative parties and far-right wing groups, saying that in Britain there is "an enormous gap" between the ruling Conservative Party and the far-right British National Party.
"The BNP is a party that, whatever you think of it, it's not my party — I think it's a racist party," Wilders said.
Wilders, who calls Islam a "fascist" religion, has seen his support in the Netherlands soar in recent years, even while he has been subjected to round-the-clock protection because of death threats.
His Freedom Party won the biggest gains in a national election last month, coming third with 24 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, up from the nine before the election.
However, mainstream parties will not form a coalition with Wilders, leaving him on the margins of Dutch politics for the next parliamentary term.
Wilders is due to stand trial in October on hate speech charges stemming from his short Internet film "Fitna," which denounced the Quran as a a fascist book that inspires terrorism. The film aroused anti-Dutch protests around the Muslim world, and he was banned for several months from entering Britain.
But he is unrepentant and said he now wants to take his message outside the Netherlands.
"The fight for freedom and (against) Islamization as I see it is a worldwide phenomenon and problem to be solved," he said.
Wilders declined to name any of the other founders of the organization he is calling the Geert Wilders International Freedom Alliance. He said he would hold speeches in the five countries where the alliance will first launch in coming months to drum up support.
Wilders has been criticized in the Netherlands for running his party as a one-man show that is shrouded in secrecy because he holds all the reins.
Comments
Xenophobia does seem to go hand-in-hand with tough economic times. Guess who the Nazis and other fascists blamed for the Great Depression....
Posted by: BankStreet | July 15, 2010 2:03 PM
One nuclear bomb and Wilders will be the most popular guy around. The Quran does inspire violence. He is pro gay rights though. Sounds like a pretty divise guy for this board.
Posted by: Clay | July 16, 2010 9:04 AM
Yes, Clay...
Not every xenophobe is a homophobe. You, though, manage both 'phobes' quite well.
Posted by: BankStreet | July 16, 2010 9:48 AM
Beloved Clay,
This guy isn't anti-other-folks enough to your type of guy? That's cute.
Posted by: Marf | July 16, 2010 11:09 AM
To have an approach to a problem where people who do wrong are witnessed to certainly doesnt mean that someone is afraid of them. Sometimes people are afraid of being exposed for what they do that God rejects, and they do what they can to justify it. Saying that people who are against them are afraid of them and anything they represent is a cop out that attempts to relieve them of whatever they feel guilty about. It puts the problem on the accuser, rather than the accused. The final word is God's. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 16, 2010 11:20 AM
Clay,
Let's review, shall we?
I don't believe in god, therefore I am certainly not afraid of being exposed for what I do that god rejects.
I don't feel a whit of guilt for being Gay. In fact, I kinda like it. Wouldn't have it any other way.
My only "justification" is my futile and foolish efforts for you to understand (and even apparently *read* what I write here.
And that's the final word.
Thanks.
Posted by: BankStreet | July 16, 2010 1:58 PM
Clay - Have you read the Quran? My guess is no some preacher or right wing nut job said it and you are simply repeating it. People have said the same thing about the Bible as it has been used to justify violence as well. What happened to turining the other cheek?
Posted by: Anonymous | July 19, 2010 2:41 PM
Some of the quotes from the Quran that have been left here on the blog I wouldnt repeat in front of someone under 18. Old Testament scriptures that people will use to make the same point are nowhere near as bad. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 20, 2010 10:08 PM
Clay pProve it. Your problem is you make these sort of statements then fail to provide anything.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 21, 2010 11:56 AM
Doesnt it talk of Muhammed marrying a nine year old girl? Doesnt it talk of who shall be killed or stoned for this or for that? It is currently on one of the other blogs here if you want to look. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 21, 2010 12:55 PM
Clay - I don;'r know but didn't Lot get drunk and have sex with his daughers? How about David setting up a man to be killed so he could have his wife. Are you saying the Bible doesn't mention people getting stoned for various offenses. Sounds to me like they could both be used to justify violent actions. Maybe you should follow you advice from the other blog and open your eyes and mind.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 21, 2010 3:28 PM
The thing is Anon, we have a New Testament. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 21, 2010 3:44 PM
Clay, you rely heavily on the Old Testament to bolster your hatred of gay people, the story of Sodom, which you misunderstand, in particular. But now, while contemplating Lot's rape of his children, you say “the thing is Anon, we have a New Testament.”
You are a hypocrite.
Posted by: Dana | July 21, 2010 6:08 PM
Clay - So you are saying the NT makes the OT meaningless? You miss the point which is misquoting can be done from either book to make the claim of promoting violence.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 21, 2010 6:19 PM
It is real simple. The New Testament doesnt make the old one meaningless at all. They both should be quoted. It replaces things like the stoning of people for punishment. etc, whereas the Quran doesnt. Jesus said, "he who is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone" when referring to the woman caught in adultery. Dont let satan twist the words or intention of the New Testament. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 22, 2010 9:39 AM
Clay you miss the point. The point is about quoting things out of context to justify violence.
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. [Mt 10.34 NRSV]
You made a statement the Quran inspires violence. I questioned your knowledge of the Quran and after a lame excuse all you gave me was "Doesnt it talk of Muhammed marrying a nine year old girl? Doesnt it talk of who shall be killed or stoned for this or for that?" The Bible has been as probably more to inspire violence throught the ages. Keep in mind the issue is how well do you know the Quran? My guess not at all but are too full of pride to admit you really don't know what it says and doesn't say and are listening to what others say.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 22, 2010 1:24 PM
The point is that the New Testament stresses peace and love. Christ will judge us as with a sword. He doesnt want us to kill one another with it. If the Quran says that someone must be killed for doing this or that, it is not saying what the New Testament is. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 22, 2010 9:28 PM
Clay the point is any text can be misused to paint a picture of something it isn't. You made a statement about a text and religion you know absolutely nothing about. You are just too proud to admit that and digress to talking about the NT. This isn't about comparing the two books, but about you making claims from ignorance and arrogance.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 23, 2010 11:48 AM
The New Testament and the Quran are quite different. No one has to read the entire text of either to know that. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 23, 2010 4:04 PM
Clay you are still trying to change the focus. Your statement that The Quran does inspires violence is the focus. Since you do not know what it says you can't make such statements. One has to read the entire text to make such reckless statements. My guess is you don't know anything about the Quran except second hand information. Your arrogance and pride keep you from admitting you don't know what you are talking about. You are a poor representative for Christianity.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 23, 2010 4:45 PM
Well Anon, perhaps you could read what I wrote under "The Image of Islam Under Seige" and make a comment on it. It concerns the book of Genesis. Also, why dont you quote the verses from the Quran stating that people should be executed for whatever reason and also the ones that deal with the treatment of women? Leave them here and state why you think they are not really being abusive. Lets hear what you have to say. All you continue to say is that I dont know what I am talking about. Show us here why you do. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | July 24, 2010 2:35 PM