by Frances Stanford

Created on: March 26, 2008   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

In his opening comments to the Parliament of the Netherlands, Geert Wilder lets everyone know his views on Islam and the Koran. For anyone who is not familiar with the Koran, these words attacking the Holy Book of this religion are meant to incite religious intolerance. Stating that the Koran is a "book of war" is giving the idea that all who follow the principles of Islamic religion are terrorists and are interested only in fighting those of different faiths.

While Wilder does acknowledge that there are Muslims who do not practice war or believe in it for the sake of war itself, he does accuse those people of not being true to their religion with statements that according to the Koran such believers will roast in Hell. This kind of wording is intended to fuel the fires of Christians and those of other faiths to discriminate against followers of Islam.

He does not even want the Koran to be distributed in the country because he claims it incites violence, hatred and a call to arms. He claims that such a distribution is against the penal code of the Netherlands. According to Wilder, the Islamic incursion must be stopped. These are harsh words, especially for law-abiding Muslims who want nothing more than to enjoy their work and family and be good citizens of the country.

What would the ordinary citizen believing Wilder to be an expert on this issue be led to believe after hearing these statements? It is my contention that Wilder's intention is to spread religious intolerance. The misinformation must be distressing to any Muslims living in the Netherlands and indeed to Muslims all over the world. It is actually inciting terrorist acts against innocent people who simply want to be left alone.

He makes the claim that Dutch citizens are fed up with terrorists living among them. Who knows what a terrorist looks like? Any one of us could be living next door to such an extremist, who does not necessarily have to be a follower of Islam. It is important for people everywhere to speak out against such speeches and try to make the world a better place for everyone, whatever their religious affiliation.

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