Instead of calling Wilders names and ridiculing this idea, its opponents should note that there is a precedent for such an initiative: the Calcutta Qur’an Petition. And more importantly, they should deal honestly with the fact that — as many Muslims plainly believe today — the Qur’an does call on Muslims to convert, kill, or subjugate unbelievers, and the fact that this is a religious belief should not place it out of bounds for rational discussion. Without such discussion, one thing is certain: many Muslims will continue to believe that the Qur’an commands them to convert, kill, or subjugate unbelievers, and to act on that belief.
By Bruno Waterfield in the Telegraph (thanks to all who sent this in):
The Koran should be banned as a “fascist book” alongside Mein Kampf because it urges Muslims to kill non-believers, says Dutch populist MP Geert Wilders.
The leader of the far-right Freedom Party, which holds nine of the Dutch parliament’s 150 seats has called for the ban after an alleged Islam inspired attack on a Labour councillor who had renounced the Muslim faith.
Mr Wilders claims that the Koran “calls on Muslims to oppress, persecute or kill Christians, Jews, dissidents and non-believers, to beat and rape women and to establish an Islamic state by force”.
“Ban this wretched book like Mein Kampf is banned!,” he wrote in yesterday’s De Volkskrant newspaper….
Els Lucas, a Dutch lawyer, has filed a compliant to the country’s prosecutor demanding action against Mr Wilders for “insulting a section of the community”.
“I think he has gone too far and it is unseemly that a member of parliament expresses himself like this,” she said.
The offence is punishable with a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine of up to £11,300.
But Ayhan Tonca, chairman of the Dutch Muslim Contact Group argues that Mr Wilders should be ignored.
“This is a ridiculous idea. There is not much news at the moment so he is trying to create some,” he said.