Geert Wilders Gets a Wake-Up Call

MP Geert Wilders had a 3 hour "tutorial" with the National Coordinator for Anti-terrorism Tjibbe Joustra. He was shown documentary evidence of the reaction his comments have caused in Arab nations.

Mr. Wilders famously said that "Muslims should tear out and discard half the Koran if they want to live in the Netherlands", and this was the strongest trigger for many Arab nations who went on to threaten reaction including trade bans with the Netherlands and recall of ambassadors.

"Fortunately none of that happened, but you do get a fright when you see all of that," Wilders said.

In this country he has a right to state his opinion, and however much I disagree with him I have to uphold that right. The constitution also protects religious expression so there is no question that Muslims here may use the full version of the Koran and practise their faith freely.

However I really hope that he understands that he represents the Netherlands by virtue of his position. I hope he learns to frame his opinions with more thought.

No Burqa Ban

The new minister of integration, Ella Vogelaar, stated on radio that there will be no burqa ban implemented in the Netherlandss. This comes in the face of Geert Wilders ranting that it should be banned.

Ms Vogelaar clearly states that she is no fan of the Burqa, but points to difficulties in implementing a ban. No kidding - there is a constitutional right to freedom of religious expression guaranteed in the Dutch constitution. And then imagine enforcing it, scenes of a policeman trying to arrest a burqa wearer come to mind - not a good look for a so called tolerant nation.

This discussion has been going on for years, first with the former Minister of Integration, Rita Verdonk, and now with Geert Wilders.

So who would have been directly affected by this rule? Apparently just 150 women, yet it's warranted two resolutions and endless discussions in parliament.

I hope this is the end of the discussion, it seems an enormous waste of tax dollars to discuss something that will contravene the constitution, affect barely 150 people, who may react not by throwing of the burqa and adopting Dutch dress - but by staying home. However I suspect the Islamophobes won't be able to let it lie.

Back to the Burqa

The issue of a burqa ban has reared its ugly head again.

Apparently Geert Wilders sees this as a vital issue. Mr Wilders lost a discussion last week on members of parliament having dual nationality, and was publically chastised by the leader of the house who commented that she expected MP's to treat each other with respect.

But now his party want to raise the issue of wearing Burqas in public, he points out that "a majority in Parliament has twice urged the cabinet in motions he initiated to arrange a complete ban on wearing burqas in public." Which is true, however that was before the last election.

Wilders party, the Partij voor Vrijheid (Freedom Party) did win 9 seats. Apparently there is a sector of Dutch society that supports these devisive policies. So we are set for more heated parliamentary discussions; I'm all for free speech, but given that I can't vote it's frustrating that my taxes are paying for Mr Wilder's grandstanding.

Those Unfunny Cartoons

A Dutch politician published the cartoons on his website. He had 40 death threats after he did it.

Now which ever side of the argument you're on philosophically this was a predictable outcome.

So logically he's prepared to die for the right of a newspaper he never reads to publish cartoons about a faith he doesn't follow, in a language he doesn't understand.

Headdress Update

An update on the Muslim teacher Against Headress story below.

The Equality Commission ruled in November that the ICA was wrong to deprive Samira Haddad, 32, of a teaching job because she refused to cover her head with a scarf. The ICA was given a month to reply to the commission's ruling.

But the school is refusing to follow the commission's ruling, saying that there are clear clothing regulations in Islam. I'm not an expert on Islam but if there are clear clothing regulations how is it that the woman in question has worked in Islamic countries and not worn the hijab?

The Quran does say that believing men and women should "lower their gaze and guard their modesty". If that's the only reference then it's possible to interpret it as being without a headdress. But again, interesting debate, who gets to decide which interpretation to use? The school? The imans? Or the courts of the country where the school is operating? What penalty can the courts impose that won't have a negative impact on the children, and in the wider sense the already shaken relations in the Netherlands between the government and some islamic leaders.

Burqa Ban

Verdonk Seeks a Ban on the Burqa (10 October 2005)
Rita Verdonk, Minister of Foreigner Affairs and Integration will investigate the possibility of banning the use of a burqa in specific situations. According to the minister a general, nationwide ban is not possible.

Why? I'm no fan of the Burqa, but I've lived here since 1998 and have yet to see a woman wearing one. There are many muslim women in Amsterdam, mostly from Turkey and Morrocco, and mostly they wear a headcovering that doesn't cover the face. Rarely have I seen a woman wearing something that covered the mouth, and I've never seen a woman wearing one that covers her eyes in any way.

So why waste time discussing this in parliament? I have two theories:
(1) The Red Herring. While we and the press are distracted with this nonsense item something else is being passed.
(2) The Bait and Switch. Proposing an extreme action, watching us overreact, then backing down to a more modest proposal that is allowed to pass.

I'm going with theory 2, Verdonk has used this before, for example her initial far reaching proposals for all immigrants to go through an integration course regardless of time spent in the Netherlands or whether they held Dutch citizenship. She came undone because the EU laws regarding freedom of movement.

I'm waiting to see what her real intent is.