Are you happy with denying Wilders access to Britian?
Answer
Yes, I am very happy that the British government took this decision, and by doing so sent the clear message of rejecting and outlawing the racist and xenophobic propaganda of Wilders. I hope other governments of countries where Wilders would want to show or discuss his views will follow suit.
This, in addition to the decision of the Dutch Court of Law in Amsterdam to prosecute him and bring him to justice for having incited hatred, may help to restore the right balance in our society and with it the good relations between the various groups.
Name
Nur
-
Profession
Question
Is wilders still credible in the Parliament?
Answer
This is a very clever and important question.
I would say that the credibility in parliament does not only depend on the fairness and/or acceptability of his/her views, but also -sometimes perhaps: mainly- of the amount of support he/she gets among voters in society at large, even if his/her views or positions are highly controversial.
Politicians fight each other for votes, and in this sense, much to my regret Wilders is still a factor to be reckoned with in the Dutch political landscape. But matters are changing. I believe his political future is everything but rosy!
Name
Marieka
-
Profession
Question
How do you read the British decesion to deny Wilder entry to England?
Answer
I read it in the first as a clear proof that the Muslim vote does matter in British politics. This is a good thing, because it opens the democratic channels for the necessary adjustments and is very helpful indeed in the integration of Muslims as equal citizens in the full sense of the word.
At the same time I see in this attitude a victory of the principle of human rights, equality and non-discrimination. Tolerating systematic insults of the type uttered by Wilders, conflicts with the maintenance of a harmonious and peaceful society.
Name
Ali
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Profession
Question
I think it is Wilders' turn after he denied many people's access to the Nethelanrds, how do you react?
Answer
I do agree with you, and especially if you take into account his constant demands (shouted from the highest towers in the Netherlands) to expel certain strictly orthodox or radical imams, etc.
He himself is much more radical than most of the people he wanted to have expelled. It is only fair that he gets his share now!
Name
Eman
-
Profession
Question
I was asking about the reason behind the escalation of the right-wing's parties in Europe? And to what extent could this parties affect Muslims their?
Answer
I don't believe there is one single reason for that. We are dealing with a complex phenomenon. First of all, there is, within the broader framework of the European Union, a certain revival of old nationalisms, also in the Netherlands (compared to Austria, Italy, Denmark, etcetera).
Secondly, there is always the social-economic factor, especially in times of economic scarcity. The crisis we are going through unfortunately influences the position of Muslim minorities in Europe very badly, just like it used to influence the position of Jewish minorities in the past. In the third place, there is the phenomenon of anti-Islamism, which is a form of racism quite comparable to the Anti-Semitism which used to be directed against Europe's Jews. Both of these racist ideologies possess very hateful images of the minority groups that they are directed against and are able to stir up and mobilize inter-group conflicts and violence.
Personally, I do not believe that the international political constellation plays a fundamental role here, even though it is presented as a theme in the discussions.
Name
Juaina E
- Netherlands
Profession
Question
Why the Court denied the prosecution of Wilders when he launched Fitna, then it had changing the attitude towards that and re-prosecuted him?
Answer
The public prosecutor who has the first initiative in deciding about an eventual prosecution was not convinced that the evidence against Wilders was sufficient, as he perhaps over-emphasized, I believe, the aspect of the freedom of expression as a human right. The Court, however, focused more on the aspect of racism and the incitement of hatred and judged otherwise.
I think we must realize that the almost continuous series of acts violence committed internationally in the name of Islam, may tend to confuse the judgment even of sharp and intelligent lawyers. In addition, let us not forget that the decision of the Court was that Wilders will be prosecuted. We are still far away from a verdict.
Name
Jamal As'ad
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Profession
Question
Do you think that the Peoples' Party (Wilder's Party I mean) will lose lots of votes after his prosecution and after his being denied to enter UK? Or that would not affect the party's popularity?
Answer
I am convinced that it will contribute to his final evaporation. Don't forget that Wilders' party is almost a one-issue party, viz. being against Islam, Muslims and foreigners. Such a party is not likely to last, anyhow. The more his ideas are denied access, the more rapidly we will be liberated from him and his likes.
Name
Hameed
- Denmark
Profession
Question
From your point of view, should the Dutch society stand up against Wilders and his trails to insult Islam and Muslims, also his counterparts? Or the best way for him is ignorance?
Answer
Certainly the Dutch society should stand up against him, expose his views and proposals and use every available democratic means to refute his nefarious influence.
Racism is a danger for every society and all people of good-will of every background and orientation should cooperate to combat it. They should always use peaceful means only, because there is no real victory that can last, but by the power of arguments and persuasion.
Name
sa'ad
-
Profession
Question
Regardless Uk, what is the general impact and feedbacks of the European Countries on Wilders' hatred speeches?
Answer
I believe that his influence on the European level must not be overestimated. His extremely rough and insulting behavior is far too much from many right wing parties in Europe. The right-wing Vlaamse Blok (Belgium) for instance, does not want to identify with Wilders. I hardly know of any politician in Europe that would want to adopt the positions Wilders occupies against Islam.
Wilders does try to launch himself on the international level, but he clearly fails. Let us be happy that he is a bizarre fanatical man only, and lacks every form of charisma which might make him a lot more dangerous.
