FORBES rejoices in Verdict Upholding the Right to Insult Islam

 Geert Wilders, the rogue politician, who rose to fame by calling the Quran “fascist” and comparing it to Hitler's Mein Kampf, was acquitted of all charges of incitement of hate against Muslims.  In a predictable decision, Judge Marcel van Oosten, ruled that Wilders act did not constitute “hate speech” against Muslims, but represented a “general debate” about “values, morals, and culture.”

  Abigail Esman of FORBES states that “the findings in the Wilders case are reassurance that the ideals of the Enlightenment and of all democratic people stand strong.” The ruling, according to van Oosten, is based on the “broadest context” of the law that allows to “propagate the message” of the film “Fitna.”  Wilders and his followers cheered the verdict and Wilders reiterated outside the court that he will continue to fight Islam.  

The plaintiffs are planning to take the case to the UN and European courts. This is one in a series of judgements made in the West in the past few decades which includes a stance against unintrusive Islamic rites and practices like the wearing of the headscarf and face veils which has no place in Western democracy.