A Telling Double Standard

Sally McNamara / February 13, 2009

The British Government’s decision to ban Dutch MP Geert Wilders from entering the country is another chapter in Britain’s story of shamefully appeasing radical Islamists. Mr. Wilders had been invited by Lord Pearson of Ranoch to show his film, Fitna, in the House of Lords. Fitna is a short, online film which discusses radical Islamist terrorism, and has resulted in a number of legal actions against Mr. Wilders. However, whilst certainly a controversial figure Mr. Wilders has never advocated violence, public disorder or the targeting of any particular religious faith.

This contrasts wildly with Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who has defended suicide bombings, advised European Muslims to create Muslim ghettos and has called for the introduction of Shari’alaw. Yet in July 2006, the British government paid for Dr. al-Qaradawi and his wife to attend a taxpayer-funded conference (including accommodations at a five-star hotel), and described him as “a highly respected Islamic scholar and particularly influential to British foreign policy objectives.” (more…)