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Everyone has a right to have their say, however if you were to live in the sea and poke at a crocodile you are bound to get bitten.. If mr wilders would have been open to discussion he would have realised that his negative opinions of islam have nothing to do with Islam itself but rather how some people interprete it and apply it to their lives..
Why is it that everytime the word Islam comes up everyone freaks out? Everyone has good & bad people in their soceity - this doesnt mean that the religion is bad - infact its that mindset of the person that causes others to think ill of the whole religion.
Islam encourages good behaviour with everyone - there are rights for parents, friends, relatives, teachers, collegues, neighbours - even your body parts.. it is considered a sin to abuse any thing/anyone.. How can Islam be bad when it prevented people at that time from burying their daughters, respecting their wives, gaining knowledge???
THINK PEOPLE... dont let the media do that for you..

- Jerry, London, UK, 19/10/2009 14:12
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W Joseph paints a pretty picture of Islam in Medieval times - a "light bearer of civilization." However, if one takes off the rose-tinted glasses one quickly sees that the entire "Golden Age" of Islam was based on slavery and oppression. Throughout the period he mentions, there were forced conversions and horrific massacres of Jews, Christians, Hindus, Zoroasterans, Buddhists etc. etc. all the way from Spain to India.Islam has a far worse record than Christianity - even taking the Crusades, witch burning and the Inquisition into account.
He also fails to mention that the true repository of Classical civilization (the Byzantine Empire) was brutally snuffed out by Islam. In fact, most Moslem advances in science were "borrowed" from more advanced culures such as Byzantium, Persia and India.
In addition - there is no such thing as freedom of speech, thought or choice under Islam. That alone is enough to make it inferior to our Western Judeo-Christian and humanist culture.

- Dave N, Lancaster UK, 19/10/2009 13:05
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Mr Wilder seems as uneducated as the thugs threatening him.
Mr Wilder's statement:
“I have nothing against the majority of Muslims. I have a problem with Islamic culture. I believe that our culture of humanism, of Christianity, of Judaism, is indeed better than the Islamic culture.”

Simply makes no sense. When we were in the Dark Ages the Islamic Civilization and Culture was the light bearer of Civilization, it was the repository of mankinds ancient wisdom. The Muslims gave us the notion of Zero, Algorithms, Algebra, Optics, they advanced the field of science (which was speculative at the time of the Greeks) it was the Muslims who gave us the experimental method, Roger Bacon (1214) who taught at Oxford and was an advocate of scientia experimentalis studied the writings of Muslim Scientists. The University of Al-Karaouine (859 AD) Fes, Morocco is considered the oldest continuously-operating degree-granting university in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, amongst its non-Muslim students was the famous Jewish Philosopher Maimonides, and Pope Sylvester II. Ibn Khaldoun is considered a forerunner of several social scientific disciplines: demography, cultural history, historiography,the philosophy of history, and sociology. He is also considered one of the forerunners of modern economics. Basicly if one looks at things from the vista of history one will see that the current state of a people doesn't reflect their culture and history as a whole.

- W Joseph, London, UK, 19/10/2009 07:59
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The demographics indicate that the Muslims will control Europe in a generation or two. Relax, you let it happen and now it is unstoppable.

- Derek Marlowe, pago pago, 19/10/2009 01:15
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I have been a christian for decades. Is it really a surprise to anyone that I consider Christianity superior to Islam? - I grew up in a Christian country and I have a free choice. I would not like to be a muslim. I'd rather live in Britain than Iran. I think a lot of people share that opinion.
Is there really any sensible reason why I can't state it, or explain why? It's an opinion - nobody has to agree. That's what freedom of conscience and freedom of speech is all about.

- Paul, Tonbridge, UK, 18/10/2009 21:29
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As a Muslim I don’t have a problem with anyone disagreeing with my religion, it is my own and because I disagree with theirs’; it’s a human right. If someone wants to challenge my religion on an intellectual level, they are welcome to it, in-fact Islam challenges mankind to try and prove that it is anything other than a divine revelation.

This is not the problem; the issue is that no one, I repeat, no one has the right to insult another persons’ beliefs, if someone insulted you wife in the streets, I am sure most men with lash out at that individual, expect the same reaction when you insult someone’s belief. It is simple as that.

Freedom of expressions doesn’t give anyone the right to insult someone’s person, beliefs, or cultural values. You are entitled to your own opinion and objections, not the right to insult.

- Addar, London, UK, 16/10/2009 16:33
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Kevin T - "since when do liberals believe in freedom of speech?" Erm, since The Enlightenment? Time to hit the books mate.

- Nolan, Londonist, 16/10/2009 16:12
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While I disapprove of his methods and question his motives, describing mr. Wilders as a 'far-right politician' is misleading. His party, which holds about 6% of parliamentary seats (hovering about 17% in recent polls) has sided with socialists on most important economic issues. It's program is much more etatist than, for example the British Lib Dems'. On social issues, it would be far-left/liberal in the British context.

Wilders (whose spouse, incidentally, is Hungarian) is not even anti-immigration: he is almost exclusively concerned with the influx of muslims, and its effects on Dutch culture and freedom. His relative popularity stems as much from anger at the widespread criminal behaviour of a disturbingly large part of immigrant youth as it does from distaste for and fear of political islam.

Routinely throwing epithets like 'far-right' , 'extremist', even 'racist' or 'fascist' at politicans like Wilders has backfired in The Netherlands, and will backfire in the U.K.

As distasteful or abhorrent as they may be (I know Wilders stretches it), these politicians are a legitimate expression of popular concerns with Europe's largest social upheaval since the transmigration of Germanic peoples in the Dark Ages. As such, they deserve a critical yet respectful approach - the very opposite of the British government's (and many media's) so far.

- Bas, Amsterdam, Holland, 16/10/2009 15:43
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I guess the irony is of course lost on these islamic protesters that their very calls for his death are one of the things that make Gert Wilders opinion that Islam is an inferior religion ring so true with so many millions of people in Britain.

- Squiz, Islington, 16/10/2009 15:39
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Gert Wilders is entitled to voice his opinions in public if he so wishes,I am sick to death of big mouthed fascists or communists trying to suppress our freedom of speech.

- Auf Deutsch, Stalinist Britain, 16/10/2009 15:37
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During the Crusades, if Christians captured a muslim they would execute them if he or she did not convert and vice versa. In later times, Catholics burned Protestants at the stake and vice versa.

Now the degree of violence perpetrated in the name of Christ has almost gone, perhaps not in the US or Northern Ireland but the latter was never a war between religions, even if one side saw it as such. Not so Islam. A religion which in terms of its existance is some 600 years behind Christianity and even more in terms of Judaism. Turn back the clock 600 years, what were Christians doing in 1509? Since the commencement of the reign of Queen Victoria, religous wars have slowly ceased to be.

Is it simply a question of time, of evolution before Islam loses its darker, fanatical, evil side. I have not read the Q'ran in full, nor do I believe every muslim is a fanatic waiting to blow me up. What I do see or read of is a religion which in its ranks are people who will go so far as to kill their children if they dare to marry outside of what is deemed acceptable, blow up innocent people just because they happen to be different [discrimination of an extreme kind?]. These are people who want the death of a writer whose book on Islam they disagree with. I could go on but you will know as much as I do. You may not agree with Wilders but he deserves to be heard. Saying he deserves to die for what he has said just about sums up these fanatics. Comparisons with Griffin are entirely wrong.

- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 16/10/2009 15:36
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I saw his film. I can't remember him saying a word. It was just recordings of Muslims involved in terrorism. They condemned themselves out of their own mouths too. I wish that many Londoners could live in an Arab country and experience real racism and bullying as I and many other British people have.

- Fred, Horsham, 16/10/2009 15:28
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So was the disruption caused by Wilders or the "Muslim radicals"?

Who is seeking to prevent who from speaking?

I disagree with Wilders, and I think his view of Islam is warped and unfair on the vast majority of Muslims, but it is very clear from this report who is the greater threat to security, freedom and democracy in this country, it is the totalitarians who seek to silence opposition through force and intimidation.

- Danny, London, 16/10/2009 15:17
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Sadly, this "man" has great following in the Netherlands. As a Brit living in the Netherlands, I constantly have to refer to, whilst being denied, my rights as an EU citizen. The Dutch are increasingly Nationalistic (as are many Brits) and after all the lessons of the last 75 years... I find this saddening.

The EU is the greatest opportunity that the UK has had for a considerable time, yet many are afraid of it...

- Ian Perry, Wageningen Netherlands, 16/10/2009 15:09
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We let every other "loon" into our christian country why shouldn't we let him in!!! Respect us or go, don't try and change our country !!

- Nic, London, 16/10/2009 15:09
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From what I've seen all religious books are fascist books.

- Steve, Hackney, London, 16/10/2009 15:04
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How can you blame the man,he makes a statement about Islamic culture and they prove him right by condeming him to death.
Have any of you been to Milan lately,a Lybian set off a
bomb at one of our local police stations,fortunately
he was the only one seriously injured an officer was lightly hurt.
When the fanatics stop,there will be no reason to make statements such as those made by Mr Wilders.

- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy, 16/10/2009 15:01
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Love it Lewis,London.And you hit the nail on the head"it is only a belief".

- Kev, London-UK, 16/10/2009 14:53
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Your article states ´´ A group of Muslim radicals stopped him from speaking on College Green`` How come they can get away with it and he has to speak behind closed doors? Where is the free speech fro all?

- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 16/10/2009 14:46
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Until Gert Wilders incites hate and violence against anyone he is indeed entitled to travel to the UK. However, why should we have to pay for his own security and mobilise a number of police officers who could be deployed elsewhere in the country where they are needed? As for the protester who claims that "what he says under Islam deserves the death sentence" well Britain is not an Islamic state, so end of story.

- Fanfan La Tulipe, London, 16/10/2009 14:40
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Please keep this guy. Now that he enjoyed his rights please keep him. Do not let him go back to Holland.

Dutch politics are dominated by 'hypes' caused by Geert Wilders. The 'movie' is more a powerpoint presentation. We'd better worry about serious problems. All workers will be needed in the future, muslim or not. Spend time on getting the jobs instead this blabla...

- Jan, The Netherlands, 16/10/2009 14:21
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Wilders is not a fringe politician or a loon as our Liberty friend Chakrabarti called him.
He is an intelligent individual with a chance of becoming leader in Holland who has something to say worth listening to.
It is a travesty to exclude him because of upsetting some of the oversensitive and violent sections of the Muslim community.
It is impossible to have a rational debate in this country now on Islam without fear of violence.

- Lynne Varley, wakefield england, 16/10/2009 14:13
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Are the Muslims who are calling for his death not proving him right!the man has his beliefs and they have theres,he is not calling for the death of any body,surly to call for the death of a person because they dont share your beliefs IS indeed fascist.Is not the writing on the wall.

- Kev, London-UK, 16/10/2009 13:51
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protesters calling for Mr. Wilder to be killed for his views rather prove the point of what he is saying. More double-standards.

- Vivienne Thompson, folkestone uk, 16/10/2009 13:50
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Labour has a problem with anyone right of the middle road of politics. They want no one to distract their ill-educated, automaton voting base.

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 16/10/2009 13:49
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Nolan, since when do liberals believe in freedom of speech? Yeah, until it offends them or whichever special interest group they're patronising this week! Maybe you're confusing them with libertarians.

- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent, 16/10/2009 13:38
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Elected European MP should be banned because he says a silly work of fiction is fascist? Huh? I do feel sorry for religious people - they have such pathetically thin skins. Get over yourselves all of you believers - of any creed - yours is an imaginary friend! From a white English secular female whose had it up to here with being blamed for everything and being told how to think and whose ridiculous 'beliefs' I 'have' to respect. Respect my belief that you - the believer - are deluded!

- Lewis, London, 16/10/2009 12:55
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In view of the rise in Islamic extremism throughout Europe, would it not be a good idea to have the courtesy of listening to what the man has to say? He does have first-hand experience of it in The Netherlands.

- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 16/10/2009 12:51
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freedo what freedom ..we are under commie rule

- Richard, LONDON, 16/10/2009 11:33
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Just what is the content of this 17 minute film that seems to be behind all this hoo haa? As I understand it, it is news clips of actual events or comments put together. It seems to me that this man has never advocated or practiced violence or scary tactics to get his views adhered to, unlike organisations like the ira, socialist workers, radical islamists, and so on. It seems to me that the government bows totally to these people; please, don't let violence or the threat of it stop the peaceful expression of different views or stop people holding different views from travelling.

- Helen, norwich, 16/10/2009 11:31
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Charles - "Odious liberal ideas" like freedom of speech, one of the fundamental aspects of liberalism? You can't have it both ways!

- Nolan, Londonist, 16/10/2009 10:54
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Just how does allowing this person in equate to the Government trying to ban the elected leader of the BNP from appearing on television.

I am unsure that there is any sort of coherent policy here and it would be helpful if Gordon Brown or Mandleson actually explained their policies, not existing legislation, on race and immigration in full

- Jim, London, 16/10/2009 10:24
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Excellent news indeed,and shame on our British government for banning an elected Dutch MP,and shame on this Government for being intimidated into banning Mr Wilders because of threats from Islamic extremists,and a certain member of the house of lords who threatened to bring a million Muslims onto the Streets of the UK if this man ever showed his film.

- Kev, London-UK, 16/10/2009 10:24
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Great.

We are now going to be lectured to by a fringe/outcast Dutch politician.

In allowing him to do this we will spend thousand on security/policing.

Forget about freedom of speech - what about public interest. Why not save some money?

- Reg, London, 16/10/2009 10:16
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Excellent news, if the Government allow Islamic hate preachers to come over, why not this one.

Maybe he is preaching hatred, but so what, if Islamic nutters can do it, so can he.

It has to cut both ways, after all that means equality, something our Government keeps tells us constantly it is committed to.

- P Staker, London., 16/10/2009 09:47
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A victory for good sense. Suppressing deeply felt opinion never works. His views match those of millions of people in the UK and his own country and need to be heard. Odious liberal ideas have brought our society to its present sorry state - this counterbalance is important.

- Charles, Greenwich, 16/10/2009 09:40
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It would have been appalling if a legitimately-elected MP from a friendly EC and NATO country had been refused entry to UK for exercising his right to freedom of expression!

- David Chown, bordeaux france, 16/10/2009 07:57
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