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Sunday 12 February RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE

Newsline - Is Wilders a racist?

On air: 17 September 2009 22:00

More about:

Newsline 17 September, 2009: Populist Dutch politician Geert Wilders has proposed a tax on those who wear the Muslim headscarf. Does this make him a racist? And Muslims in Amsterdam invite their neighbours to join them for an Iftar meal.

 

Listen to the programme:

Wilders a racist?
Controversial Dutch politician and Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders has hit the headlines again here in The Netherlands. His proposal that those Muslim women who choose to wear a headscarf should have to pay 1,000 euros "tax" has got just about every other politician in an uproar. One respected opposition leader, Alexander Pechtold, has called him a racist - we hear from other politicians on whether they agree or not. And take to the streets to get the views of some non-politicians.

Iftar for all
Iftar is the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the month of Ramadan. It's a sociable event with families and friends gathering together. In east Amsterdam, the locals have taken the idea a step further and invited their non-Muslim neighbours to join them. Our Newsline reporter pulled up a chair and discovered that the one topic that isn't on the menu is Islam. Listen to a report by Marijke Peters

Discussion

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Tony 19 September 2009 - 12:30pm
It is interresting how, when the muslims controlled from Nth Africa to Iran 900 years ago, they imposed a heavy tax on all Christians and Jews (the people of the Book). Polytheists or athiests either converted to islam or were executed. The tables are now turned on these wolves in sheeps clothing who, while they are in the minority, are obliged to obey the laws of the land. Once they gain greater ascendency, the sheepskins will be removed and they will be enfant terrible. Geert Wilders should not go the long way around by giving them this subtle hint. He and all decent westerners, who's forefathers fought and sacrificed in two world wars to prevent domination by a foreign entity, should go for the juglar: return every muslim to their country of origin before Europe is changed forever.
Adil 18 September 2009 - 4:21am
As a British born Muslim, living in the Netherlands, I am truly astonished at the remarks Gert Wilders makes. His comments are purely to instigate reactions from the Muslim community who feel personally attacked by his comments. It is ridiculous to suggest that people should be taxed for CHOOSING to wear a headscarf because it is against the so called Dutch values. If his sole purpose is to protect Dutch values, then he should be proposing taxes on American, British and other shows which are broadcast daily in the Netherlands. He should be promoting the Dutch language and imposing taxes on Dutch/British firms such as Shell who conduct their daily businesses in English as opposed to Dutch. Any sensible person can see how ridiculous this would be and how damaging it is to the Dutch economy. His comments are purely to target a specific group, namely Muslims. If Gert Wilders was the Prime Minister, would he discourage multinationals who have their main language as English from setting up in the Netherlands as it is against Dutch values; this is nonsense and would ruin a country I admire. However, every time I hear such stories, my admiration for this country waivers due to the huge amount of support Wilders has gathered in the Netherlands. As for comments from posters regarding the hatred of Islam due to it endorsing Jihad, I wish to point out that only a SMALL minority of so called Muslims endorse terrorism for their own gains. As with any religion, there are different sects and different organisations. Looking back at British history, many of you would be aware of the religious tensions between the Catholics and the Protestants and aware that the IRA had pursued a campaign of terror against the British population, yet we do not see people branding all Christians as terrorists and I would expect the same from every religion. In every cult, group, religion or sect there are bad apples and the actions of these bad apples cannot be equated to the actions of all people in that group. I wish that people would see that the majority of Muslims are against this kind of terrorism and denounce the actions of the minority. Since living in the Netherlands I have closely followed the controversy surrounding Gert Wilders and I agree with the above sentiments that his actions should be afforded as little attention as possible and I am truly ashamed of the British decision to ban him from entering the United Kingdom as it only provides weak, attention seeking people like Gert Wilders further publicity.
George K. 17 September 2009 - 10:32pm
Politics has always been the second oldest profession with a lot a resemblance with the first oldest occupation.
Joseph 17 September 2009 - 4:21pm
Wilders is more of a sectarian, rather than a racist. He is is also a defender of Western traditions and values. Considering that Holland is a Western country with a Western Constitution, shouldn't more Dutch people be standing up for their culture before it gets assimilated into a multi-culti swamp?
Hiram 17 September 2009 - 5:46pm
Joesph, Wilders is a racist sectarian and he reflects it in his speeches. Atttacking a specific group of citizens, Muslims, who have not committed crimes against the Dutch nation by attacking a head scarf is no different than attacking a Jewish person for wearing a Kippot/Yarmulke. Hitler, a racist sectarian, in his speeches and writings reflected his hate for the Jewish people. His hate progressed in the beginning with outward attacks like Kristallnacht and then progressed to the executions, torture, and gas chambers. No, Wilders has pushed the envelope and shown with his racist attacks against Muslims. As to Islam, it is a danger to the Western nations and to the Muslims who disagree with it's Jihad. Go after the Muslims, who preach hate, just like Wilders, and put them away in prison. Scarves are nothing in themselves but taxing Muslim women for wearing scarves is no different than the Muslims who preach and practice hate. As much as I dislike Islam and it's hate toward non-believers, I believe taxing scarves only justifies Muslims hate for non-believers. Shalom aleichem!
Polythene Pam 17 September 2009 - 3:14pm
Wilders makes it very difficult for me to be proud to be Dutch: what happened to this so-called free country after a columnist such as Pim Fortuyn decided that having an opinion on everything is enough to become a politician? Wilders is nothing more than a publicity-seeking, short-sighted opportunist. I wish everybody, including the media, would just ignore him or play him down. The debate in Parliament should have been about the measures the government is taking in 2010, about its budget and tpolicy - I gues Balkenende cs secretly thank Wilders for distracting everybody's attention from what should really be debated!
sandra 17 September 2009 - 12:48pm
A racist no, a nut case hell yes! Sorry Geert, but you have gone too far and you only do this for attention, I doubt seriously you even hate Muslims like you claim. After all, you loved the middle east before you became a politician. I think all immigrants should get out of the Netherlands while you still can, get emergency political asylum in USA or Canada, and bring charges against the Netherlands and other EU countries that are gearing up towards Nazism again. I am leaving and emigrating to USA, good riddens Holland!

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