Elforkani justifies his demand by creating a false equivalence: “when our Jewish brothers are attacked, it quickly becomes anti-Semitism and that is not allowed.”
Where in the Netherlands or in Europe at large is criticism of Jews prohibited? Meanwhile, some of Elforkani’s Muslim brothers in the Netherlands have engaged in viciously anti-Semitic rhetoric, as well as actual physical attacks on Jews and Jewish-owned businesses. The idea that Jews are protected class in the Netherlands today is laughable. But if Elforkani’s demands are met, Muslims will be.
“Blue Mosque Imam wants legislation against insulting Mohammed,” translated from “Imam Blauwe Moskee wil wetgeving tegen beledigen Mohammed,” by Bas Soetenhorst, Het Parool, October 30, 2020 (thanks to Breitbart):
The freedom to insult the Prophet Muhammad must be curtailed by legislation. So says Yassin Elforkani, imam of the Blue Mosque in New West.
In his Friday sermon, he discussed the tense situation in France after a number of terror attacks. He told of a conversation he had with a young Muslim on Thursday who showed sympathy for the attacks. “I was shocked, because with everything I have in me I reject the attacks,” Elforkani said in an explanation.
“I have always condemned attacks in the past. But then he said, ‘Yassin, just explain this to me: when our Jewish brothers are attacked, it quickly becomes anti-Semitism and that is not allowed. I understand that. But why then is insulting the Prophet under freedom of speech?’ That got me thinking.”
Elforkani hopes with his appeal to start a discussion in the Lower House. “These insults against Islam create a very negative dynamic and a toxic atmosphere in society, with all the associated risks. We have to get rid of that. We will not resolve it if we continue to insist upon freedom of speech and that you should be able to say anything. It seems like a competition who can offend Islam the most.”
Give in to terror?
Elforkani does not believe that legislation protecting Islam from insults should be seen as giving in to terror. “Insulting Islam is about neither today nor yesterday. You should see this separately from the attacks in France. The point is that in the Netherlands we now talk past each other. Muslims say this has nothing to do with Islam. And right-wing parties say: this is now Islam.”
“Legislation and political debate are a good answer to terrorism. You send a signal with it: this is how we do it in a democracy. ”
“In addition, there is less and less attention to Islamophobia among the authorities. I am concerned about where all this will lead, when I sense the sentiment among especially younger Muslims. The prophet is insulted in a context of discrimination against Muslims in the labor market and insulting of Muslims. That makes it even grimmer and more complex.”
“At the same time, I think that Islamic organizations should shed their fears and go to court if they feel insulted. Then you can test whether it is okay. It makes no sense to dwell in anger.”
SJ says
The Jews were persecuted, so anti-Semitic talk isn’t allowed. But the Muslims have been the persecutors, so why should we protect their religion from insults?
nicu says
so true ! Muslims are ALWAYS insulted by EVERYTHING- and of course they commit horrible crimes and play the victim role – AGAIN ! Pathetic ! Send them back to Islamic countries and stop let them in !
mortimer says
Muslims do not have a right to impose censorship on countries that have protected the freedom of expression in their constitution. That is the reason we have constitutional protections …. namely, to PREVENT THE EROSION of freedom of expression.
We have a right to blaspheme under human rights codes.
Ray Jarman says
Mortimer,
I seldom disagree with your opines but some European nations have a living constitution and the courts too often rule what they perceive as relevant at a specific time. Even in the US, the courts have in the past decided cases based on what the justices perceive as just or unjust regardless of the written words of the constitution. Gray v. Sanders, 372 U.S. 368 (1963) and Reynolds v. Sims, 377 U.S. 533 (1964) in which the Warren court ruled in direct opposition to the U. S. Constitution where each state has two senators, regardless of population. “Legislators represent people, not trees or acres” was their rational for negating the bicameral state legislatures. My point is that even when a nation possesses a written constitution, the judicial branches often override their own constitutions and if the Niederland legislature rejects free speech restrictions, the courts may decide otherwise.
Steve says
So if I say I don’t believe Muhammad was a prophet of god, that becomes illegal?
SJ says
Yes, it’s that ludicrous!
mortimer says
It is a legal right in almost all countries to criticize Israel and it is also a legal right to criticize Jews, but there may be a price to pay if the general public disapproves of it.
What is not legal is to solicit harm against others.
We criticize the IDEOLOGY of jihadism.
“It’s the IDEOLOGY, stupid.”
The absurd comparison of Islam with Judaism is untenable. Judaism has no SUPREMACIST doctrine of aggressive warfare against disbelievers, but Islam does.
mgoldberg says
you could draw a cartoon of moses being a moonwalker smoking pot or whatever, and no jew would come up and murder you or even worse, anyone else, merely because they felt ‘the prophet was insulted’.
That is the absurdity of Islam. It is NOT, that they love their prophet. It IS that they despise anything or anyone who doesn’t….. and will be raging to murder them for daring to show anything like that.
gravenimage says
So true, mgoldberg.
Cornelius says
Even if one subscribes philosophically to the premise that religious beliefs should not be insulted (I don’t happen to)…..the question begs to be asked…
When one looks at the persistence of child marriage in the Islamic world (for example), is one allowed to point out that Muhammad – considered by Muslims to be the “model of conduct” for all mankind – consummated his marriage to Aisha when she was at the tender age of 9 years old….(according to Islam’s own scripture)….without it being considered an “insult to Islam”?
In other words, would we be allowed to even suggest that Muhammad may NOT be an appropriate “model of conduct” for human beings in the 21st century….without that being considered an “insult to Islam”?
And this is just one issue. What about the barbaric hudud punishments of Sharia, including the killing of apostates and blasphemers, the stoning of adulterers, the amputation of the limbs of thieves, the legalized discrimination against women and non-Muslims,…..and on and on?
Once we go down this path of self-censorship, it will be impossible to engage in legitimate critical scrutiny of Islam as a belief system…..because Muslims will claim doing so is an “insult to Islam”. In short, we won’t be allowed to discuss and resolve very real social problems related to Islamic practice and tradition. This cuts to the very heart of the survival of human freedom in the world. Are people even paying attention?
wth009 says
The people know this. Problem is the elitist ‘Masters’ that run our countries DO NOT!
Westman says
Considering The Netherlands government’s persecution of Geert Wilders, creating a special class for Islam of “protection” from criticism will simply give credence to Wilders warnings about the intolerance of Islam. The government can’t afford to look like an extension of Islam. If nothing else, by spotlighting the problems Islam brought to The Netherlands, Wilders has made it impossible for the government to quietly satisfy Islamic demands.
wth009 says
I just wanted to remark that YouTube closed my account for a mild comment. (I do not have an account posting videos). The comment was mild when answering to Muslims stating that they wanted to KILL MILLIONS OF FRENCH people. YouTube accused me of “hiding” because I have another email address similar to the one I used. This was/is completely false and the comment I made said “I’m going to buy some French pastries”. Apparently the Islamists were not happy about that!
somehistory says
If they get their way, if all things that insult their feelings are made illegal, everyone who knows anything about islam will go to jail for saying it, and anyone who eats pork, drinks alcohol, or sells it, owns a dog or just says they like dogs, goes to the movies, listens to music, dances, doesn’t dress the way moslims say we must, etc. will be fined, locked up or murdered. Whatever result gives moslims the most to celebrate.
And no one will have an “account” of which moslims disapprove. Anywhere.
jirtu says
Since Muslims have an infinite list of imaginary insults that can be cast against them, they should drastically cut down their list and align it with the dos and don’ts of the indigenous people who have welcomed them to their countries, given you subsidized housing, free training/education, welfare, baby bonus checks, unemployment insurance, paid holiday, medical coverage…everything that is not found in the Muslim homeland. It’s incredible that these desert people who have been welcomed to paradise have the nerve/stupidity to complain. Bottom line: If you don’t like the way we do things here, the airport is not far.
somehistory says
moslims all over want the Majority of mankind to bow to their will and stop telling the Truth about islam and its so=called “prophet.” The slime was not a “prophet” and was a lying son of satan, mass murderer who raped children and made up harmful commands for others to follow….but exempted himself when he pleased.
Why should the entire population of the world bow to this false god of islam and stop telling the Truth? moslims will still commit horrible crimes, lie, steal, make unreasonable demands…and this is very unreasonable, this demand to protect the feelings of moslms when they get “offended” and “hurt” and play “victim” at the least thing they don’t like.
Eat a ham sandwich, sell a bottle of wine, not wear a scarf, walk a dog, look full in their face and frown, and say what a lying, filthy, murdering, devil-worshipping, demonp-ossessed, evil, scoundrel and poor excuse for a human their so-called “prophet” was…and they get offended,, we have hurt their feelings, and made them victims.
It’s really quite selfish of them to expect the rest of the world’s population to just stop everything and bow to the wishes…demands… of the moslims and their filthy book.
I say, “NO way,”…Just like a little dirt never hurt, and the Truth does sometimes, I say, we take that chance and keep telling the Truth. (My God says not to lie. He commands the Truth. “You must not bear false witness”)
Walter Sieruk says
That Muslim cleric who called for legislation protecting Islam from “insults ” opens the door to what is defined as an “Insulted to Islam.
With most Muslim any criticism of Islam ,at all ,is viewed as an insult Not matter how valid that criticism might be . Likewise any criticism of Islam ,no matter how mild is seen as an “insult” to Islam.
Furthermore, that call for such legislation is getting very close to the concept of enacting “blasphemy laws” which reveal’s two things.
First , it shows the sly stealth jihadist’s insidious method of working for the establishment of Sharia law in a Western nation,, in this specific case the Netherlands . Such stealth jihad is also know as Islamic gradualism. By putting forth effort to obtain more influence and infiltration for Islam with its Sharia law in a Western country, gradually step by step , by hook or by crook. until The Islamic agenda for the Western nation is fulfilled.
Second, this call for legislation protecting Islam for “insult” exposes Islam is in need of “protecting”
That’s because Islamic is such a weak religion with not firm foundation to uphold it that stealth jihad- minded Muslim strive to have such “protection laws” enacted. This religion is so very fragile that criticism of It will expose it for the hoax ,falsehood and fabrication is actually is.
,
In addition in the classical work of ancient Greek literature, by Plato, entitled THE APOLOGY OF SOCRATES it in written that Socrates had said that “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Likewise, in may also be said that “An unexamined religion is not worth believing in.” This is said about all religions. Yet to be specific, in this case, the topic is about the religion of Islam. Furthermore, one man who was as a former a Muslim and had lived in one of the Islamic nations of the Middle East but now he is Christian and an American citizen had explained in a book he wrote that “Driving into depths of the word of reasoned thinking and research in Islamic societies has always been costly. Some Muslims who have done this have even been excluded from their social rights and even sentenced to death.” [1]
[1] ISLAM AND THE SON OF GOD by Daniel Shayesteh page 70.
Ray Jarman says
+1 Walter,
I agree with your assessment and Plato also warned against the watering down of constitutions. He pointed out that after a while, the nation will look and act very differently, and usually not for the better, will cease to exist.
Check Burry says
If mus stop smiting, and other ways of killing folk who are not of therm, we will stop objecting to your murderous cult..
DEAL?
Fred van de Bunt says
“Just explain this to me: when our Jewish brothers are attacked, it quickly becomes anti-Semitism and that is not allowed.”
Elforkani knows very well that his Jewish brothers are for 99% attacked by his own brethren.
Said the Nazi to the allied soldiers: “You free all those Jews, but me you take a prisoner of war. You Naziphobe racist!”
Ade Fegan says
What can you do .. when the truth is haram and offensive to them ? ..
Time for islam to see the underside of some public road transport
tim gallagher says
I believe Islam is a disgustingly evil, barbaric ideology, I’d put it on the same level as Nazism, so it is ludicrous to say that it should not be criticised or insulted. How convenient it would be for these evil Muslims, who are so full of their poisonous hatred for all non-Muslims, to be immune from the insults and criticism they deserve to receive. Nonsense like the crap this Muslim creep is putting forward should be laughed out of existence. How convenient. You set up a disgustingly evil ideology, and then you actually come up with a moronically stupid rule that the evil ideology cannot be criticised or insulted. I have a different view. I don’t believe Islam, this vile ideology, gets criticised and insulted enough. Too many people, maybe afraid of being accused of being “Islamophobic” ( oh, how terrible that is, to be hating an evil ideology like Islam)), are far too polite and politically correct when they talk about Islam. If Muslims don’t want their vile ideology to be insulted, they should stay in their backward Muslim countries where such a stupid rule no doubt already exists.
Peter WF says
Islam from insults and infidels from murder?
gravenimage says
Netherlands: Muslim cleric calls for legislation protecting Islam from insults
………………
Imam Elforkani is deamanding that the civilized West impose Shari’ah law to impose “blasphemers”–and if we don’t that murderous Muslims will continue to murder us.
Note that he didn’t report this Jihadist–instead, he sympathizes with him. This Mosque should be shut down.
Rob R (Brit stuck in Britainistan) says
You know who gets protected from insults usually?
The “special” kid in class. Everyone says it’s the worst thing you can do if you pick on the “retarded” kid. That makes you a monster!
Maybe self-appointed Muslim leaders like this guy should think about that…? I guess that’s how he regards himself and his fellow followers of Allah! LOL.
James Lincoln says
Interesting point, Rob R…
Peter WF says
Unfortunately they are the dumbest in the “class”. So they are protected.
Search “world map average IQ”
Note the 2 smartest nations do not have a jihadi problem. One doesn’t let them in and the other locks them up.
Search “world map marry first cousins” – inbreeding is a problem as they don’t want family assets split up among other issues.
Search “world map muslims”
Search “world map corruption” – perhaps if you preach hate, in time it turns on you.
See an association?
Andrew says
The truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth.
muslim just cant handle the truth.
They embarrass themselves by screaming like wee soy boys because somebody took away their Football and then run off to find their daddy to get their Ball back.
Grow a pair why dont ya, muslims are just soooo thin skinned.
islam is a fascist religious cult in every manner of that statement… Pure evil, and it is those morons Of The Left that have brought them all into Europe when in fact islam and Liberalism are in total conflict with each other.
John says
WE NEED LAWS AGAINST ISLAMOPHILIA, End of Debate.
Donal Brennan says
If Muslims want to be expelled from Western Europe en masse, they’re on the right track.
livepeanuts says
Those ignorants who speak/ publish such bad things about us the infidels in their books, and what they should do to us and what should become of us and how to treat us, are offended by cartoons from us of the one who wrote all those aggressive insulting things about US!
Whose Sovereignty?
Whose Law?
Whose Freedom of Speech?
Who do they think that they are?
So who protects those who don’t want any more to do with Islam against Islam?
Who protects those who don’t believe in Islam against Islam?
Who protects those who speak against Islam from Islam?
OLD GUY says
Muslim/Islamics can’t deal with the truth. These Imam’s want nothing but power. Islam is more about political power then religion. Islam the religion of death and violence, sounds more like a violent dictatorship than religion.
Walter Sieruk says
The real reason that this Muslim cleric is calling for national legislation against all insults to Islam in the Netherlands is twofold
Before explaining this its to be clear and thus make it known that any criticism of Islam no matter how mild or however valid and well reasoned the criticism will instantly be taken as an “insult” to Islam .
As for those two reasons.
First, it’s because Islam is essence is such a fragile for is terribly lacks any firm foundation in ether logic or reason to uphold it For .Islam’s apologists always have have logic flaws and errors in their “arguments ” to make it stand in any firm foundations whatsoever. Therefore since the imams who other who attempt to promote Islam have no valid logical way to defend their religion for criticism “insult ” they ,as this
Muslim clerics in the Netherlands push of legislation that makes criticism of Islam illegal .
.
Second, this is part of stealth jihad for Islamic infiltration in Western nations which is also known as “Islamic gradualism” In other words gradually with patience, slowly and surely bit by bit ,by hook or by crook, the establishing Islam’s Sharia law in the different countries of the West. In this specfic case in the Netherlands it comes insidious form of national legislation of a type which comes very close to having “blasphemy laws” as in now many Muslim nations in the world.
It’s best for the people of the Netherlands to be aware and on the alert for such stealth jihad Islamic subversion of their country. This also applies to the people of the other Westerns nations as well.
john boggs says
I have been threatened with beheading by a Muslim student on the campus of a university 4 miles from my home in Tennessee. A new mosque is 80% constructed. I attempt to systematically teach a factual understanding of Islam to those in my town. The normative response of a prospective student is to decline because of a lack of time or because of fear. Those who have completed the class then flee from using what they have learned to actually respond to Islam or teach others. Many walk off speaking with an arrogant ignorance that “If they come up my driveway, I will just blow them away – therefore I don’t need to attend any kind of class.” We are “easy pickings” and the Muslims know it.