During a press conference in London, Geert Wilders has called for a discussion on Islam. He said he hoped to organise a debate in the House of Lords on the subject.
Earlier the Dutch anti-Islam politician hailed his visit to the United Kingdom as a success. He reiterated that he had nothing against law-abiding Muslims, but that his problem was with the Islamic ideology.
The Fitna controversy
In the lead up to the release of Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam film Fitna two years ago, there were fears throughout the world of a violent response by Muslims. The film shows preparations for beheadings by fundamentalist Muslims, the 9/11 attacks and other violent acts.
At the end of the film the sound of tearing pages is heard, but the voice over says these are the pages of a telephone directory. There had been fears Mr Wilders would actually tear pages of the Qur'an, which would be sacrilege to devout Muslims.
It turned out that much of the footage had been taken from the internet. When the film came out the media hype grounded to a halt as it was considered mediocre and showed nothing new.
Almost thirty Muslims demonstrated outside parliament against the Freedom Party leader today. The small demonstration was held on Westminster’s College Green, where the controversial Dutch MP had been due to hold the press conference. The conference had to be hastily relocated inside the House of Lords annexe as a result.
Go to hell
Demonstrators held placards reading "Islam will dominate the world" and "Sharia for the Netherlands" and "Wilders go to hell, Sharia is Islamic law". The demonstration attracted a great deal of media attention.
In response, Mr Wilders said “They have a right to demonstrate and I respect that. I am proud that people can use their democratic right. But I would have rather held the press conference outside.''
Mr Wilders travelled to London to meet British MP Lord Pearson of Rannoch on Friday morning. He passed through customs without hindrance.
He also wanted to personally thank the lawyers who fought the case to overturn a government ban on him entering Great Britain on behalf of the Birkenhead Society. The society stands for freedom of speech and British heritage.
Court ruling
Earlier this week, a British court ruled that Mr Wilders had been wrongfully denied entry into the country. The government feared public safety could be jeopardised if Mr Wilders, who is well-known for his anti-Islam views, were to enter Britain. In spite of the ban the Dutch MP flew to London last February for a parliamentary viewing of his controversial film Fitna. He was stopped at the airport and put on a flight back to the Netherlands.
Although the British authorities said they would not hinder Mr Wilders this time, the Home Office is considering appealing the decision.
Mr Wilders and Lord Pearson of Rannoch are meeting to discuss when the film can be shown in the Upper House.
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