Dutch Muslim intellectuals call on government to react to Geert Widers

Five Muslim intellectuals - Farhad Golyardi, Faisal Mirza, Shervin Nekuee, Frank Sadiqqi and Tariq Shadid - have called on Dutch politicians to react to the anti-Islamic provocation of Geert Wilders, head of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV). "For months now, the Netherlands have lived in apprehension of a 'little film' about the Koran ... And what has the Dutch government been doing? Protecting embassies, asking Muslim countries to be understanding, calming the mood in the Netherland's Muslim communities, and saying... nothing! We believe that is high time that a clear political line should be drawn between freedom of expression and incitement to hate ... While across Europe Le Pen, Dewinter, and Haider have prompted reaction, the Netherlands believe they do not need a cordon sanitaire against xenophobic parties ... Such permissiveness in the face of systematic exploitation of xenophobia leaves us with a bitter taste of political cowardice."

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