Sky News is reporting today that Geert Wilders has been cleared of hate speech charges in the Netherlands. Mr. Wilders had previously stated that Islam was a violent religion and called for a halt to Muslim immigration into the Netherlands. He also called for banning the Koran in the Netherlands. After he made those statements, he was put under police protection due to death threats. There seems to be a bit of irony in that statement--if Islam was not a violent religion, why did he need police protection after criticizing it?
Mr. Wilders produced a film called "Fitna" in 2008 which was shown on various internet websites. The film showed a connection between some of the terrorism committed by Muslims and verses in the Koran which condoned the killing of infidels.
There are a few things to keep in mind about this case. According to Reliance of the Traveler (the manual of Muslim jurisprudence), the definition of slander (ghiba) is "to mention anything concerning a person that he would dislike." Truth is not a part of the discussion--the rule on slander is simply whether or not the person hearing what is said approves of the remarks. Obviously this concept is not compatible with free speech.
Mr. Wilders' acquittal is a victory for free speech . The goal of radical Islam is a world-wide caliphate. If we are not free to talk about the goal of the terrorists, how will we ever end terrorism?
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