aammar
18-02-2013, 07:48 AM
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders’ visit to Australia is raising tension in the country over concerns that his anti-Islam rhetoric would trigger protests from the Muslim community.
“I support freedom of speech, but with freedom comes responsibility,” Minister of State Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nick Kotsiras, told The Daily Telegraph on Monday, February 18.
“He is wrong, he is misinformed... he should speak to people at the grassroots level to find out exactly how all religions can work together in peace and harmony.”
Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), has arrived in Australia at the invitation of Q Society, to speak against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
As he arrived in Melbourne, the far-right politician began firing his anti-Islam slurs.
“If you really want to preserve your freedom, if you really want to preserve your identity as a country that is not Islamic, that is based on Christianity and Judaism... you should open your eyes, learn from the mistakes we made in Europe and make sure they don't happen here,” Wilders told SBS.
“Islam has no room for anything but Islam, and Islam will get its way also in Australia. People who are non-Islamic, Jews, Christians and women, would be the first ones to pay the price.”
Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.
He has also called for banning the Noble Qur’an, describing the Muslim holy book as “fascist”.
In 2008, Wilders released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Qur'an 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.
Prosecution
Australian officials have warned that Wilders could face prosecution if his anti-Islam comments went out of line.
“He's entitled to his views, as anyone is in Australia ... but he's got to be very careful that he does not take it beyond the point where it traverses the law of this country and the expectations and what we here in Australia value ,” said Victorian Multicultural Commission chairman Chin Tan.
“To the extent that he may say something or in a particular manner that has legal implications, I'm sure someone or the police may take it up.”
On the eve of Wilders’ visit, multicultural organizations have called for consolidating cultural diversity in the country, criticizing the far-right politician’s message of hate.
“Wilders is opposed to the religion of Islam, not so much to the people, and he believes Islam has no place in democratic society which I believe is wrong,” Kotsiras told The Border Mail.
The minister said that though he supported freedom of speech he did not support the incitement of violence.
“We don't support the incitement of violence, the incitement of hatred and we have legislation in place that covers that. But we are multicultural and we are proud of it, we have embraced it over many years and are a prime example of how it can work.”
Wilders’ anti-Islam message has also invited criticism from Australian Muslims.
Mohamad Tabbaa, member of the Islamic Council of Victoria executive committee, said racism was an “outdated and destructive force”.
He said Wilders did not reflect the views of most Australians and his party was losing support in the Netherlands.
“We think Australians are quite reasonable and that they will see through his speech for what it is.”
Wilders’ Islam Message Troubles Australia - Asia-Pacific - News - OnIslam.net (http://www.onislam.net/english/news/asia-pacific/461418-wilders-hate-mes)...
“I support freedom of speech, but with freedom comes responsibility,” Minister of State Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nick Kotsiras, told The Daily Telegraph on Monday, February 18.
“He is wrong, he is misinformed... he should speak to people at the grassroots level to find out exactly how all religions can work together in peace and harmony.”
Wilders, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), has arrived in Australia at the invitation of Q Society, to speak against what he calls the “Islamization” of Europe.
As he arrived in Melbourne, the far-right politician began firing his anti-Islam slurs.
“If you really want to preserve your freedom, if you really want to preserve your identity as a country that is not Islamic, that is based on Christianity and Judaism... you should open your eyes, learn from the mistakes we made in Europe and make sure they don't happen here,” Wilders told SBS.
“Islam has no room for anything but Islam, and Islam will get its way also in Australia. People who are non-Islamic, Jews, Christians and women, would be the first ones to pay the price.”
Wilders is notorious for his rants against Islam and Muslims.
He has also called for banning the Noble Qur’an, describing the Muslim holy book as “fascist”.
In 2008, Wilders released a 15-minute documentary accusing the Qur'an 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.
Prosecution
Australian officials have warned that Wilders could face prosecution if his anti-Islam comments went out of line.
“He's entitled to his views, as anyone is in Australia ... but he's got to be very careful that he does not take it beyond the point where it traverses the law of this country and the expectations and what we here in Australia value ,” said Victorian Multicultural Commission chairman Chin Tan.
“To the extent that he may say something or in a particular manner that has legal implications, I'm sure someone or the police may take it up.”
On the eve of Wilders’ visit, multicultural organizations have called for consolidating cultural diversity in the country, criticizing the far-right politician’s message of hate.
“Wilders is opposed to the religion of Islam, not so much to the people, and he believes Islam has no place in democratic society which I believe is wrong,” Kotsiras told The Border Mail.
The minister said that though he supported freedom of speech he did not support the incitement of violence.
“We don't support the incitement of violence, the incitement of hatred and we have legislation in place that covers that. But we are multicultural and we are proud of it, we have embraced it over many years and are a prime example of how it can work.”
Wilders’ anti-Islam message has also invited criticism from Australian Muslims.
Mohamad Tabbaa, member of the Islamic Council of Victoria executive committee, said racism was an “outdated and destructive force”.
He said Wilders did not reflect the views of most Australians and his party was losing support in the Netherlands.
“We think Australians are quite reasonable and that they will see through his speech for what it is.”
Wilders’ Islam Message Troubles Australia - Asia-Pacific - News - OnIslam.net (http://www.onislam.net/english/news/asia-pacific/461418-wilders-hate-mes)...