News and Analysis on Islam in Europe and North America
25 May 2011 The trial for Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders on charges of inciting hatred and discrimination is concluding and media coverage tracks its closing stages. The public prosecution department called on Wednesday for the politician to be found not guilty on the basis that his remarks are directed against Islam and
20 May 2011 During a parliamentary debate anti-Islam politician and leader of the Freedom Party (PVV) Geert Wilders accused the Labour party of filling the country with “Islamic voting fodder”. Socialist Party leader Emile Roemer left the chamber in protest of the offensive remarks. Prime Minister Rutte called the term ‘inappropriate’. Wilders made the
May 6 2011 Anti-Islam party PVV has dropped its threatened bid to ban the construction of mosques in the province of Limburg. The party had made the ban the main campaign issue during lections for the provincial government, but will now focus on issues surrounding the provinces water boards and public transport. The new provincial
March 24 2011 In an open letter to Dutch newspaper Volkskrant, Muslim members of the national Christian Democratic party say that they feel they are seen first as Muslims and only second as members of the CDA. The letter warns that Muslim members may leave the party, in which case its position in urban centers
March 10 2011 The Volkskrant reports that the Dutch coalition government will not allow opposition parliamentarians to see its calculations to halve the number of non-western immigrants to the country. The plans follow anti-Islam party PVV’s support for the current minority government, which was conditional upon halving non-western immigration to the country. Previous documents showed