Dutch Freedom Party MP, Geert Wilders, was invited by Lord Pearson, a member of the UKIP Party, to attend a parliamentary session to discuss the European Union and Islam where the Islamophobic film ‘Fitna' was apparently to be shown in the House of Lords, but he was stopped by the government from entering the United Kingdom. Now the question comes up why he was banned? Dutch MP Mr. Wilders describes the Holy Qur'an as a “fascist book” and compared it to Hitler's Mein Kampf. He has called for the Qur'an to be banned. Mr. Wilders also links the Islamic Holy Book to terrorism. The film ‘Fitna' caused outrage across the Muslim world when it was posted over the Internet last year. Mr. Wilders faces trial in his own country for inciting hatred. Earlier this year, a Dutch court ordered prosecutors to put Mr. Wilders on trial for inciting hatred and discrimination by making anti-Islamic statements. Under the circumstances, Mr. Wilders was denied entry by the Home Office amid fears his presence would endanger public security. The government said it would not allow extremism and hatred to be spread through the communities of Britain. The Home Office said there was a blanket ban on Mr. Wilders entering the UK under EU law enabling member states to exclude someone whose presence could threaten public security. “The government opposes extremism in all forms,” it said in a statement, adding that it had tightened up rules on excluding those engaging in “unacceptable behavior” in October. “It will stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred, and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country.” Ministers react The Home Secretary has the power to stop people entering the UK if she believes their presence would threaten national security, public order or the safety of UK citizens. The British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband said the home secretary made a decision on an individual case. “We have profound commitment to freedom of speech but there is no freedom to cry ‘fire' in a crowded theater and there is no freedom to stir up hate, religious and racial hatred, according to the laws of the land,” Miliband said. Commenting on the decision to exclude Geert Wilders, cohesion minister Sadiq Khan said: “Actions that incite hatred towards an individual or group that undermine our shared values are unacceptable. “The government opposes extremism in all its forms and we will stop anyone who wants to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country,” the minister said. “We have legislation in place to protect people from incitement and hate crime which we have and will continue to enforce,” he added. Muslim parliamentarians Labor Peer Lord Ahmed, who expressed his concerns to the Parliamentary authorities about Mr. Wilders' visit, said he welcomed the Home Secretary's decision to ban the MP from entering the UK. Lord Patel of Blackburn told Saudi Gazette, “The government is absolutely right. A person, who tries to divide the community in the name of freedom of speech, should not be allowed in our country. Muslim community leaders The Muslim Council of Britain called Mr. Wilders “an open and relentless preacher of hate.” “We have no problem with the challenge of criticisms to our faith, but the film is nothing less than a cheap and tacky attempt to whip up hysteria against Muslims. Mr Wilders' xenophobic and repugnant views have been identified by a Dutch court, and is now confirmed by his official exclusion to the United Kingdom. “It is now time to ask why Peers of Realm who promote such demagogues without any censure are allowed to be regarded as mainstream, responsible leaders,” the Council said in its statement. Dr. Syed Aziz Pasha, general secretary of the Union of Muslim Organizations (UMO), said, “We, British Muslims, are glad that our government refused entry to the Dutch MP – Mr. Geert Wilders – because his presence will cause discord between faith communities. Our Union, for the last 39 years, have been striving to promote good relations with all communities of faith.” “We are also very much concerned how some members of the House of Lords screened this film in the House knowing fully well that it was a blasphemous film intended to incite religious hatred, which is legally forbidden in this country,” Pasha told Saudi Gazette. “People have wrong conception about the Qur'an. It should clearly be understood that this is a literal Word of Allah the Almighty sent for the guidance of the whole mankind,” Pasha said. “Unless the entire Holy Qur'an is completely read and understood, it is (incorrect) to take a few passages and make unwarranted comments.” “Fair-minded intellectuals have acknowledged that the Qur'an brought about an intellectual revolution,” he added.
