Since the rise of Wilders and the increasing xenophobia ala Verdonk, Fortuin, etc. many non-Muslim western immigrants also feel less welcome, and that we are not accepted. Many have already left and many are planning to do so, especially the highly educated and those with the financial means to do it. Many of us strongly support Muslims and other "allochtonen" -- what happens to one minority group can happen to all of us.

By Quest | June 29, 2009 1:11 PM

Trade with the rest of the world (Muslims are 1.5 billions=1/5 of the world , and they have most of the wealth of with their oil and consuming habits )is increasingly important for the Dutch economy and now accounts for 70% of gross domestic product, the national statistics office CBS said on Monday.

lets see now , what the PPV and the supporters for anti-Islam politicians will do when they got a Muslim world boycott ,Did not they learn a lesson from what happened to Denmark (and it was a slight boycott....lol)

By zoser | June 29, 2009 2:28 PM

Would not be surprised to find native Dutch who would like to leave as well! Like myself for instance. But ofcourse there's a huge step to take from dreaming of leaving to really pack up and go. Native Dutch as well as Moslims do not always have somewhere to go. Let's hope that in the end common sense and positive thinking will prevail, and that "Europe" will intervene would the Netherlands/The Hague complete lose its reason.

By Hans Moerbeek | June 29, 2009 3:35 PM

This xenophobia betrays a lack of confidence in the Dutch. They feel that they are small and being overwhelmed by the world so that their unique culture is threatened with drowning. The Dutch have given the world so much and still lead the world in so many ways - flood engineering, banking, green technology, not to mention those unique bakfiets that you don't see anywhere else! The Dutch are unnecessarily scared of the world when in fact they influence so much of it out of proportion to their small size! However, they are increasingly becoming to introverted and worried about fighting over the small stat budget instead of growing the economy with their special innovations. They must adopt their former aggressive world ways, show the world that they have so much to give to it (export polder philosophy for example), help the economy (so that we don't need to fight over the scraps of subsidies) and re-assert Dutch culture (so that immigrants are no threat). Remind themselves why so many immigrants want to come here - not because they want to become radical Islamists, but because they want to enjoy the better life here than in Morocco or Turkey! That being said, the Netherlands should also assert a more selective immigration policy aimed at only admitting those who can contribute not just those who seek a better life and want to live off of welfare. Love alone should never be a reason to admit someone since the Dutch spouse can always move to Morocco to join the wife there! The Netherlands is a strong country but has forgotten itself and when it remembers (if it does), watch out! Wilders will be a thing of the past.

By Matt | June 29, 2009 3:41 PM

For Dutch Muslims its not a solution to leave Netherlands or even think on it. Please let me ask my fellow Muslims a question : Don't we have experiences that even in our countries of origion 'The Minorities' are being persecuted and discriminated.Can't we talk about the realities That Christians living in those countries are being treated as 3rd rate citizens? Even within the Muslim Communities different sects are discrimianting against each other'Claiming that their particuler sect is the 'real one'?

Why cant We The Migrants see the positive sides of the Dutch Society,when they welcomed us with open arms and hearts?

Why don't we acknowldege the facts and the beauty of the Dutch Constitution which prvides us equal rights?

Why don't we admire the 'Education System',which is equally providing our generations all the opportunities to reach up to any level of educational standerds?

Why can't we see the positive aspects of the Netherlands which assurse us Freedom of Choice,Freedom of Religion,Freedom of Movement and above all provides every singel individual A Shelter to Live including all other basic necessaties?

Why don't we tell the stories of our 'own',that majority of us had no chances to develop ourselves in the countries of our birth?

Why can't we criticise the Most Corrupt Leadership of those countries which is still keeping the majority as have nots and their own hunger and lust for power and wealth never stops?

Please let me suggest We all have to use our positive energy which would result in to the failure of all negitive thoughts and actions.

We need to develop better understanding among our native country fellows,which would result in to the best solutions.

First of all its our own duty to correct ourselves and our way of thinking and actions.

Let us struggle for the solidarity and harmony within our society. Lets all of us say NO to any nagitivity within our own hearts and minds and any ones else.

For heavens sake let's join hands with love and respect which would save us from many undesirable situations and even for the better future of our generations.

Long Live Netherlands, Long Live Dutch Hospitality,Long Live Dutch Nation including native and new nationals. I have a strong hope and faith "that with love and honesty we can/will over come any the problem and conflicts.

By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | June 29, 2009 5:08 PM

Bigotry in the Netherlands is not new, it was here long before the Muslims came along. And its not just the Dutch but other European countries, too, East and West. What's different now is that what was once mostly muttered under the breath is now spoken out loud.

By Buzzer | June 29, 2009 6:11 PM

Dividing society into religious, colour and creed groups are the third world, third class politics, which Mr.Wilder and co are incorporating in Netherlands. If the dutch take a glance at such countries, they will never support Rita or Wilder. Because this way ultimately lead to disaster. Just imagine, if all the muslim leave Netherlands. Will then Rita or Wilders quit politics ????? No not at all. They they will find gaps inside the dutch and will try to manipulate it. It is better for the common people to use common sense before they have been plunged into a disastor.

By Jerry | June 29, 2009 7:52 PM

To zoser: Trade comes before your civilization. Or is it yours?

Geert Wilders: an end to pre-Munich preventive capitulation of Europe!

There is no fatality. Remember Winston... he alone!

Coq

By Coq | June 29, 2009 8:45 PM

It's wonderful that many muslims in Holland want to leave the country, and we must do everything to facilitate their departure. Good-bye but also good luck to them in islamic nations.

By Richard | June 29, 2009 11:56 PM

i watched a recent interview of wilders on Danish tv via youtube,

in the interview he said for muslims who want to intergrate should be helped so on,

but why are many muslims thinking of leaving?do they not wanna intergrate into euro countries or something?

By Eric | June 30, 2009 12:23 AM

Coq; I am not living in the Netherlands, but I have lots of Trade with the Netherlands,, Europe has no unique products nor services, USA with Obama is trying to reach to the Muslims, the far East is a trade tycon, The Arab themselves are progressing fast,, Now it will not be diffecult to boycott the Netherlandsand ,,its products and services , (which will be sure , if Wilder reach something ), NO civilization without Money,and when people lose jobs (did not you see what happened to Karst Roeland Tates!!!,,losing job is very destructiveon the human!!!) ,it is very known ,,,I am from a country which lost the civilization, because they lost their wealth,,,People should read history and should also think logically,,and if you want to know my country ,go to Wikipedia and type in :Zoser..

what do you think of destiny of Shell as an example in Saudi Arabia, if the hate attitude towards Muslims continue,, will they sell herring fish instead of working in oil??

By zoser | June 30, 2009 7:12 AM

I think it is quite sad of what is happening in The Netherlands because of Wilders. I have worked with the Dutch people for so many years from my country itself before making the permanent move here (and this also after my Ducth colleagues asked me to do so). However, after two years here, i am seeing it differently now after so many discriminative actions i have experienced. It is really sad and it really hurts when you go through this.
I did not choose the colour of my skin nor my religion; however we should know how to live with these things.
I hope the Dutch people will realize where Wilders is trying to bring them because remember we are in 2009 and we are living in a world with no borders.

How many of you have been on holidays in a different countries?
Have you experienced such discrimination or you were welcomed arms opened?
How many Dutch people emigrated to other countries? Do they experience these discrimantions in these countries?

By The Almighty | June 30, 2009 10:22 AM

I am Dutch, a liberal Muslim since the age of 17 (and in my late 40s now). I lived in The Netherlands, had a career with thee foreign service, represent my country in many locations around the world, got an expertise and thus represented my people in international organisations.

I live in Morocco, by choice, the lifestyle and the level of Islam here. Part of that is just wanting to hear the call to prayer each day, some of it not being pointed out as different but I will say there is a change now, Wilders is one side, this scum that serves his own self-interests to become famous at the cost of his humanity - but also because the infiltration of fundamentalists in my country that before leaving to Morocco 7yrs ago was that these extremists started telling me how to be a Muslim.

These people are in fact a cause for concern and they give ammunition to the likes of Wilders. The fundamentalists are in Europe because they are not welcome back in the Muslim World and that tells you something. Salafists, Wahhabists and the like are an evil that the world needs to battle, it is sad that the bigotry and xenophobia is targetting the average Muslim and painting us all as evil and thus avoiding the real issues - fundamentalism in all its forms.

(Solkhar is a retired diplomat and a specialist in the tracking of terrorism-financing. He is a liberal Muslim since the age of 17 and has chosen to live in the Moroccan city of Marrakech)

By Solkhar | June 30, 2009 7:52 PM

very agree with Khalid Ahmed Chaudry, hope many people like you in the west, but i never seen comment like you, i am too (non-muslim) migrant from majority muslim country into the west, but lot of certain people in similar situation just critizie their host country, muslim immigrant just want be accomodated, but unable to realize or thankfull the very goverment which provide the things that they never had in their country of origin, and still want to bring their country origin caotic law to be implement (like sharia), long live western value

By ibnsahr | July 1, 2009 10:52 AM

Mr. Wilders is the product not just of Islamic extremists, but also by the silence of those so-called moderate Muslims. Being silent or neutral means you are no good to anyone. Your contribution is nill.

I am afraid you will see many Wildres in Europe soon.

Having said that it is not just about Extremist, it is about the never ending demands by Muslims to change the host country, their inability to adjust, they get offended if someone wearing the cross, they work in supermarket but they will not serve pork product, they want to work as teachers but covered top to bottom. Many many other examples of ridiculous demands and behaviour by common muslims. Which lead us (led me at least and I am sure it led Wilders) to question Islam. So we get out their holy book, we get the hadith, and the sunnah and behold. Those extremist are doing exactly what their holy book is telling them to do. In a way I respect their commitment. In another way, no force on earth will make me change my religion and the way I live which my forefathers paid with their blood. Thats why Muslims should either learn to coexixt in the host country which gave them social benefits, housing, education, work and careers, and the platform to use their voice without being persecuted. But to co-exist contradicts their religion. here is the paradox for many Muslims. They are stuck and unable to move forward and live in peace. I don't care if Islam is pagan religion; but I do care if you want to convert me by force or kill me. So you better off our land. With the advance of the internet, Muslims started something they cannot stop. Millions of people now have access to the Quran and their teaching along side the hadith and sunnah and the free thinking people are beginning to spread the truth of what they really are.

By Sabah | July 1, 2009 6:24 PM

Interesting how many of you misquote Wilders. He repeatedly makes it crystal clear that what he is fighting is NOT muslims, who are just other human beings, but the political, expansionist and totalitarian ideology which is Islam.

By Paul | July 2, 2009 1:37 AM

IBNSAHR, please allow me using this opportunity to thank you for your comments,so nice of you.
Its always great sharing the views/dreams.

Together we all can win whatever we want to.We all have much greater responsibilities towards the have nots of this world in place of dividing our strength.

I really and very honestly hope that we will over come these negative issues/elements in our society and once again Netherlands will be A Nation and Society of Peace and Love.

God bless you and all those willing to contribute positive efforts.

By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | July 6, 2009 1:38 PM

Muslims who do not want a democratic Netherlands in which Islam carries no special privileges should leave. They would not have been happy anyway. The spread of honor killing, contempt for Jews and Christians and contempt for women has gone far enough in this European country. It is impossile to create a Muslim state within the Netherlands without destroying the entire country.

The insistence on sharia law is a threat. The refusal to withstand criticism without resorting to violence is a threat. The presence of Muslims in Netherlands who desire to conform the nation to Islam is an urgent threat. Wilders is right. If Muslims wish to go, they should. Those who remain will be doubly welcome because they will be the ones commited to peace and desiring to bring goodness to the Netherlands.

By Bronwyn Berry | July 9, 2009 6:40 PM

Most of the muslims in The Netherlands are here for economic reasons. Once they have a permit to stay they invite their whole family, so they spread out all over the country without integrating, keeping their own cultures up. A lot of them live by welfare and are not educated. Their children have great difficulty in learning the language and getting jobs.
The result is that they stay unemployed and form streetgangs. The Dutch gouvernment is too scared to deal with the problem. Wilders is a politician who has the guts to speak out the opinions of the real Dutch people, which are ignored by the gouvernment.
That's why
Wilders party, the PVV, is at this moment the biggest in Holland.
The Dutch taxpayers are fed up with most Muslims, that are often considered as parasites of the economy and crime rates keep increasing.
The same problem occurs in all the western European countries. It's a huge problem to deal with, but we have to, if not we will loose our own country and culture.

By Kees Houtman | July 14, 2009 1:43 AM

In my view since I am a son of a Muslim clergyman, Islam cannot be treated as any religion, it’s basic precept of spreading the faith even by force, is not compatible with Western way of thinking. The fact that in Islam apostasy, or changing one’s religion away from Islam is a capital offense makes its ideology offensive to our concept of religious freedom. The so called prophet Mohammad though claiming to be the last messenger from God did not act in a fashion consistent with anything Godly.

He married a girl of 6, and then took 11 more wives, he set a most horrid example of a normal life for his followers to practice. He then went on to cuckold his adopted son. He ordered a whole tribe of Jews numbering 900 to be executed. Their only crime was to question Mohammed’s exaggerated claims of divinity.

The Holy Koran allows a husband to beat his wife, yet a wife is not allowed to even touch her husband. Another paragraph in the Koran states that to prove a charge of rape a woman must first produce 4 male or 8 female witnesses to the act of penetration. The Koran specifically forbids Believers from making friends with Jews or the Christians, it also frowns upon listening to Music or admire any works of art. It allows its adherents to lie or cheat in furtherance of Islamic agenda.

Muslims today are busy building mosques all across the globe yet do not allow a single house of worship in Mecca, the home of Islam. How does West deal with such rank hypocrisy, they simply say nothing.

Muslims refuse to integrate with their neighbors regardless of where they live, yet they impose their will on those unfortunate enough to live with them. I present examples of Christians in Egypt or Hindus in Pakistan or Bangladesh, and Jews in any Islamic country who are subjected to every possible act of villainy on a regular basis. There is not a single Muslim democracy in any of 75 odd countries where Muslims live or have a majority, they contribute very little to the welfare of their citizens and even less to humanity.

I suggest your readers should look at Churchill’s views on Islam, (available on goggle) you will find his prognosis somewhat frightening, as do I.

Nusrat Rizvi
1 Rowayton Court
Rowayton CT 06853

By Nusrat Rizvi | July 21, 2009 10:31 AM

Change the immigration policies. Get people from Korea and China. However; have systems in place to teach them the languages and customs...you simply can't bring people over and not help them. This is your fault for doing it. You let them in. Now change those policies. Bring in people with Hindu backgrounds...christian backgrounds...Jewish backgrounds from Israel. When they arrive at the airport, have huge parades welcoming them to the country. They will feel ecstatic.

You can turn this bad experience into a positive one. Pay people $25,000 to leave Europe. They don't want to be there anyways, so it's not racist. It's giving them what they want. However for newcomers to try and recreate the middle east inside Europe will destroy Europe. You must have immigration, just make sure it's from secular and pluralistic countries. Have tests set up to screen newcomers...it's your country...you determine who gets in.

By Researcher | September 26, 2009 2:23 AM