Pegida's Edwin Wagensveld: Champion of Europe's Anti-Islamization Movement Urges Americans to Stop the Sharia Takeover While They Still Can (Exclusive Interview)

In an exclusive interview, RAIR Foundation USA delves into the relentless and courageous struggle of Edwin Wagensveld, the leader of the Dutch arm of the political movement “Pegida” (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West), against the rising tide of Islamic supremacism threatening European identity.

Pegida started in 2014 in Dresden, Germany. The movement quickly gained momentum, swelling to tens of thousands of participants meeting every week against the Islamization of Europe and illegal mass immigration. They gathered to hear speakers such as Tommy Robinson, Ann Marie Waters, lawyer Gavin Boy, and other brave souls who spoke to their expertise and experience on the consequences of Islamic norms in Europe.

Wagensveld, known for his unwavering resistance in the face of governmental and societal pushback, has embarked on a journey marked by a series of brave protests against Islamic fascism, a dangerous ideology infiltrating Europe through mass illegal immigration.

A Life of Advocacy and Confrontation

Wagensveld’s commitment to safeguarding European culture and values has come at a high personal cost, including over twenty arrests due to his free-speech protests. He explains, “I’ve been arrested over 20 times, often under questionable circumstances, such as wearing a pig-shaped hat at a rally. These arrests highlight the absurd lengths authorities will go to suppress our message. You arrest somebody because he had a pig head on his head… It shows how afraid they are of us.”

Wagensveld’s demonstrations are frequently met with violent retaliation from Islamic migrants, serving as a clear affirmation of Edwin’s message. Moreover, his protests highlight the tangible threats posed by the Islamic ideology he opposes. His advocacy is not just a stand for free speech but a battle to halt the Islamization of Europe, a cause that has garnered him both widespread admiration and intense left-wing scrutiny.

See the following video from August 2023, when Wagensveld staged a protest outside the Turkish embassy that stirred intense anger from Islamic supremacists and their accomplices all across the world. Wearing a black T-shirt with the words “Islam is no better than Nazism,” Wagensveld and two others gathered to demonstrate against Islam and burn the Qur’an.

The Ideological Battlefield

Wagensveld’s perspective on the influx of immigrants from Islamic backgrounds is well founded by a belief in the incompatibility of Islamic ideology and law with European values. He argues that Islam, by its nature, is a totalitarian ideology aimed at establishing dominion over non-Muslims, mandating submission to Islamic Sharia law through violence and terror if necessary. Such beliefs, according to Wagensveld, pose an existential threat to the free nations of Europe, as they undermine constitutional freedoms, discriminate against non-Muslims and women, and even challenge the very notion of freedom of speech and religion.

Actions and Repercussions

At the core of Wagensveld’s activism lies his daring Quran-burning demonstrations, strategically crafted to unveil the intolerance and violent reprisals from Islamic supremacists, predominantly comprising migrants. While these bold actions have triggered legal confrontations, state persecution, and allegations of fostering hatred, Wagensveld perceives them as indispensable in safeguarding democratic liberties against a legal and societal framework increasingly swayed by Islamic sensitivities.

“We’ve weathered relentless accusations of extremism, even unjustly being branded as Nazis, which significantly impedes our mission,” Wagensveld elucidates. “The concerted hostility directed towards us extends to job terminations, societal exclusion, and incessant legal battles.”

A Clash with Authorities, Recent Arrest

Wagensveld’s ongoing confrontations with Dutch authorities, particularly exemplified by the restrictions and bans placed upon him, exemplify the depth of his conviction regarding the state’s efforts to suppress dissent against Islamic ideology. The recent events unfolding in the city of Arnhem illuminate the continuous struggle for the right to protest and the broader conflict concerning the future of free speech and individual liberty in Europe.

Following the unelected Moroccan Muslim Mayor Ahmed Marcouch’s imposition of a legally questionable local ban on Wagensveld, effective immediately for six months, the Pegida leader finds himself unable to enter Arnhem. Despite Marcouch’s indication of a reconsideration of the ban after three months, the stringent measures significantly impede Wagensveld’s activism in the city.

The ban’s enforcement was precipitated by Wagensveld’s intention to burn a Quran on Jans Square in Arnhem, an act vehemently opposed by the Islamic mayor due to what he claims are concerns over potential chaos and heightened terrorist threats, as advised by the police. Wagensveld has previously attempted to burn a Quran in Arnhem on January 13. However, this did not occur due to the presence of numerous violent Islamic counter-demonstrators who attacked him while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, incited riots, and assaulted police.

Despite warnings from authorities not to hold another Quran burning, Wagensveld asserted his determination to proceed with his demonstration via social media. Consequently, Marcouch escalated measures by extending the ban to prohibit Wagensveld from appearing anywhere within Arnhem’s borders, except under specific circumstances such as appearing in court.

The decision to ban Wagensveld is claimed to be about fears that his presence would attract violent Islamic opposition, with the mayor citing concrete threats against him and the likelihood of Muslims mobilizing again to impede his actions. However, instead of addressing the threats posed by Islamic supremacists, many of whom are migrants, to Wagensveld’s safety, authorities opted to restrict his movements, escalating tensions between the activist and the state.

In a recent development, Wagensveld’s scheduled appearance in court prompted his presence in Arnhem, albeit under contentious circumstances. His arrest by police ensued following his arrival for having his own copy of the Quran on a dog leash, dropping it on the ground, and dragging it across the ground. This incident exemplifies the ongoing struggle for the right to protest and the broader conflict over the future of free speech, state intervention, and the handling of dissenting voices within the Netherlands.

This recent incident, where Wagensveld was arrested for merely placing the Quran on a dog leash, serves as yet another example of how a Western nation is succumbing to Sharia law. It prompts us to question why he is not permitted to express himself freely with regard to his own copy of the Quran. What specific laws in the Netherlands prevent such actions? Would similar actions against a Bible result in arrest? These questions underline Wagensveld’s argument that Western nations are gradually submitting to Sharia.

The Global Context of Activism

In reflecting on the international reactions to his activism, Wagensveld’s experiences extend beyond the borders of the Netherlands, illustrating a global pattern of silencing dissenting opinions. Being banned from entering countries for his political views, despite never engaging in violence, showcases a disturbing trend of suppressing dissenting voices, not just in Europe but around the world. Wagensveld recounted in the interview being banned from the U.K. on two occasions — a frightening example of the lengths some governments will go to stifle voices like his.

The first ban occurred when he was invited to speak in Birmingham, only to be detained upon arrival at Birmingham Airport and deported after an eight-hour hold. A year later, an attempt to visit Tommy Robinson, who was then incarcerated, resulted in a similar denial of entry at Calais, aimed at barring him from the U.K. These incidents underscore the significant challenges and restrictions imposed on activists due to their controversial political views, emphasizing the broader implications for freedom of speech and assembly across the globe.

A Call to Action

As Wagensveld vehemently continues to sound the alarm about the aggressive war Islam is waging against the West, his demonstrations and the responses from both the state and jihadis serve as crucial calls to action. He advocates for an end to immigration from Islamic countries as a means to preserve Western culture and freedoms. This stance aligns him with a growing cohort of Westerners who face severe, sometimes fatal, consequences at the hands of Islamic supremacists for criticizing Islam. Simultaneously, Pegida and their leaders face endless persecution from the state. As Wagensveld explains, ‘Every attempt at demonstrating leads to legal challenges, societal ostracism, and job terminations. It’s a relentless pursuit to suppress our message under the guise of public order.’

Warning to America

Wagensveld warned Americans, cautioning, “Be wary of becoming too tolerant towards ideologies that fundamentally oppose Western values. Protect your freedoms and your culture, and do not allow the spread of ideologies that could endanger your way of life.” He explicitly emphasized the risks of underestimating the cohesive and singular nature of Islam, challenging the American public to heed the lessons learned from Europe’s struggles with Islamic supremacism.

Wagensveld pointedly referred to former President Donald Trump’s assertions on Islamic migration, affirming, ‘Trump was right about the dangers of Islamic immigration.’ He explains that there’s only one Islam, and there are no moderate or extremist factions; it’s all the same. ‘There are no moderates in Sunni Islam; Islam is Islam, just as Nazism is Nazism. You don’t have ‘good’ Nazis; you don’t have ‘bad’ Nazis.’

Wagensveld detailed the failures of excessive tolerance in Europe, which have led to a loss of cultural identity and a rise in parallel societies. He advised against the construction of mosques and Islamic schools in the U.S., seeing them as beachheads for spreading a supremacist ideology under the guise of religious freedom. “Don’t be too tolerant… Don’t let them build mosques; don’t give them schools. Religion you can do at home; do not let them have a parallel community,” he asserted, emphasizing the importance of keeping religion out of the public sphere to preserve secular governance.

Through his warning, Wagensveld invites Americans to take proactive measures to safeguard their societal values and democratic way of life. He stresses that the American response to these challenges will be crucial in avoiding Europe’s pitfalls, advocating for vigilance and a firm stance against radical ideologies that seek to undermine Western civilization. His message is a clarion call for Americans to recognize the situation’s gravity and defend their society’s foundational principles.

The Road Ahead

Edwin Wagensveld’s actions are more than just a personal crusade against Islam’s encroachment on the West; they represent a broader struggle shaping Europe’s destiny. As the continent teeters at a critical juncture, Wagensveld’s experiences offer a brutal and blunt reminder of the challenges in defending democratic values amidst an increasingly Islamized Europe. It’s a sad reality: the Netherlands and numerous European nations stare down an Islamic-dominated future.

In a candid exchange with RAIR, Wagensveld was asked if there’s still hope for a political resolution to Europe’s issues stemming from mass Islamic migration. His response was clear: “No.” It’s a sentiment echoing the growing urgency felt across the continent. “We must show our defiance. We must fight for our culture, our identity, and our traditions… Or else, it’s game over,” he asserted. “Action is imperative. More and more individuals are realizing that the time for dialogue and diplomacy has passed.”