‘Bigoted’ Wilders Upsets Australia Muslims
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ inflammatory speeches against Islam have triggered protests from Muslims in Australia, amid warnings that his hostile rhetoric fuels racism and bigotry against the sizable minority.
“We're here to show we will not stand for Wilders' racism and Islamophobia,” Muslim protestor Feiyi Zhang told Brisbane Times on Tuesday, February 19.
Zhang, who organized a protest against Wilders’ visit to Australia, warned that the far-right politician’s speech could incite violence against Muslims "and general fear of Islam".
Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), arrived in Australia earlier this week at the invitation of Q Society, to speak against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
The far-right politician was met by angry protesters who tried to dissuade guests from attending his speech at La Mirage Function Center on the Hume Highway at Somerton, in Melbourne's north.
In his speech, Wilders renewed his warnings against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
“I am here to talk about the Islamisation of Europe,” he said.
“If you think what happened in Europe will not happen in Australia you are totally wrong.”
“I call on all the Muslims in the world to leave Islam for Christianity or atheism or whatever they want. This will be good for them and also for our free society.”
Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.
In 2008, Wilders released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Quran of inciting violence.
Wilders’ visit comes amid tension in Australia over a recent protest by Australian Muslims against a US-made film mocking Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), which degenerated into violence.
Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population.
Islam is the country's second largest religion after Christianity.
Source: On Islam
Zhang, who organized a protest against Wilders’ visit to Australia, warned that the far-right politician’s speech could incite violence against Muslims "and general fear of Islam".
Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), arrived in Australia earlier this week at the invitation of Q Society, to speak against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
The far-right politician was met by angry protesters who tried to dissuade guests from attending his speech at La Mirage Function Center on the Hume Highway at Somerton, in Melbourne's north.
In his speech, Wilders renewed his warnings against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
“I am here to talk about the Islamisation of Europe,” he said.
“If you think what happened in Europe will not happen in Australia you are totally wrong.”
“I call on all the Muslims in the world to leave Islam for Christianity or atheism or whatever they want. This will be good for them and also for our free society.”
Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.
In 2008, Wilders released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Quran of inciting violence.
Wilders’ visit comes amid tension in Australia over a recent protest by Australian Muslims against a US-made film mocking Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), which degenerated into violence.
Muslims, who have been in Australia for more than 200 years, make up 1.7 percent of its 20-million population.
Islam is the country's second largest religion after Christianity.
Source: On Islam
