Marked for Death: Geert Wilders' Unyielding Stance in the Face of Islam's Fatal Fatwas (Videos)

Geert Wilders, known for his outspoken critique of Islam and his leadership of the Party for Freedom (PVV) since its founding in 2006, has recently achieved a dramatic victory in the Dutch general election. In the November 22 election, the Party For Freedom secured 37 of the 150 seats in the Dutch parliament. This significant achievement has made Wilders the potential successor to the Netherlands’ longest-serving Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, who will stay in office until a new coalition is elected and formally inducted. This triumph not only marks a significant political milestone but also symbolizes his unwavering resolve in the face of numerous threats and fatwas, predominantly from Islamic nations and Muslims.

A member of the Dutch House of Representatives since 1998, Wilders has consistently demonstrated resilience and fearlessness, becoming a symbol of tenacity in the political landscape despite facing several fatwas due to his forthright critique of Islam. Among these myriad threats was a particularly chilling fatwa (death sentence) issued by Khalid Latif, a well-known former cricketer from Pakistan. In 2018, Latif offered a bounty of three million Pakistani rupees, approximately 21 thousand euros [roughly $23,000], for Wilders’ assassination, demanding the murder be recorded and posted online as proof. This alarming incident exemplifies the grave dangers Wilders has confronted due to his political stance.

Wilders’ Courtroom Speech

This past summer, Wilders stood in a Dutch courtroom, addressing the trial against Latif, the Pakistani cricketer who issued this fatwa against him. In a compelling speech, Wilders detailed the relentless threats he has faced for many years, such as those from Latif, which have drastically impacted his life.

“Mr. Chairman, Members of the Court, Madam Prosecutor, thank you for allowing me to speak today. This is an important day for me. A large part of my life now consists of daily death threats, forcing me to live without freedom,” Wilders began. He disclosed that he has been on the death lists of the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and ISIS for a long time, highlighting the grave danger he faces regularly.

“Several fatwas have been issued against me by imams and mullahs, two of which were quite recent. These fatwas are religious death sentences, calling Muslims worldwide, including in the Netherlands, to kill me,” Wilders continued. He revealed the overwhelming frequency of these threats, receiving about a thousand each year, often accompanied by explicit pictures, beheading videos, and audio recordings, primarily originating from Pakistan.

Wilders thanked the Public Prosecution Office for prosecuting one of his assailants. He also hoped for the prosecution of the Pakistani mullah Jalali and political leader Rizvi, who issued fatwas against him. “Today is crucial as the court hears the case against Khalid Latif, who put a bounty on my head in 2018,” he stated.

Wilders reflected on the profound impact of these threats on his personal life. “Since November 2004, I’ve lived in high security, losing my personal freedom. I’ve never been home since then,” he shared. He described the extreme security measures he and his wife must endure, including living in a government-safe house and being unable to perform basic daily tasks without extensive planning.

I have lived in a prison with my wife for months for my safety, lived in a barracks, lived in a police station, had to dress unrecognizably in public with mustaches and wigs. And to this day, my wife and I live in a government safe house. Every day they drive me to the House of Representatives in armored and blinded cars and when the sirens go on I often use my AirPods.

I can’t do the most basic things that every human being does every day without thinking about it.

Quickly get some air. Empty the mailbox. Driving. Walk around the block. Quickly run a message in the store. Spontaneously go somewhere. Go somewhere alone.

In his concluding remarks, Wilders reiterated his commitment to speaking out against radical Islam and defending free speech. “I will always fight against the intolerance and violence propagated by radical Muslims. The freedom of thought and speech is the only freedom I have left, and I will always carry on, always,” he affirmed.

Living Under Constant Threat

Geert Wilders has been paying the price for his stance against Islam. He has been living his life in hiding and under threat for years now. In 2022, out of a record-breaking 1,125 death threats against 240 MPs, 600 of them targeted Wilders specifically. These death threats highlight the seriousness of the issue surrounding Islam and its critics, as evidenced by calls for Wilders’ beheading and the demand for his killing by Muslim Pakistani politicians, a cricket player, and everyday religious observant Muslims. Jihadist websites offer lavish rewards for those who will manage to kill him, which include the Islamic afterlife promises of 72 virgins and rivers of milk and honey. Wilders is literally a man marked for death by Muslim jihadis.

Wilders takes significant security measures to protect himself, including wearing a bulletproof vest and being constantly surrounded by bodyguards. The Dutch government has built him a specially designed house with bomb-proof walls and shatterproof windows. He resides in government-safe houses with bulletproof windows and panic rooms and travels in an armored police vehicle. The level of security is comparable to that found in war-torn countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. The threats against Wilders began twenty years ago and have forced him to live in various heavily secured locations, impacting his personal life significantly.

Over the past twenty years, the cost of providing security for Geert Wilders has been estimated to be tens of millions of Euros. This substantial expenditure underscores the significant challenges faced by those who openly criticize Islam in Europe. Many have either lost their lives, disappeared, or abandoned their work due to fear of violence. These threats highlight the critical need for Dutch authorities to remain vigilant, particularly following Wilders’ recent electoral victory. Wilders represents an outspoken and uncompromising voice for the silent majority, not just in the Netherlands but globally, resonating with people who share his ideas, sentiments, and vision.

It’s imperative to recognize that protecting Wilders goes beyond the individual; it’s about safeguarding the principles of democracy itself. When voices that challenge the globalist agenda are silenced through violence, it’s not just a threat to the individual but a blow to democratic discourse. This situation forces society into a corner where the remaining options are detrimental to all, threatening the very fabric of civil society.

Political Career and Challenges

For over twenty years, Wilders has, by his own account, moved from one secure location to another, living under police protection. Often staying in actual decommissioned jail cells. This is because of constant death threats directed towards him from Muslims who will not tolerate any criticism of Islam. This religion, he frequently explains, is outdated, fascist, backward, and incompatible with Western civilization.

His country’s left-wing government has often targeted the sixty-year-old politician. In September 2020, an appeals court found him guilty of group insult stemming from an incident at his campaign rally in The Hague in March 2014. However, he was acquitted of inciting hatred and discrimination and did not receive a sentence. At the 2014 rally, Wilders asked his supporters whether they wanted “more or fewer Moroccans” in the Netherlands. The crowd responded with “fewer,” prompting Wilders to declare, “We’re going to organize that.”

See Geert Wilder’s comments at his 2014 rally, which led to his conviction:

This statement was made against a backdrop of significant social, safety, and economic issues, as highlighted by Dutch journalist Timon Dias, who noted the extremely high arrest rates among Moroccan youths in the Netherlands and the high welfare costs associated with the Dutch Moroccan community, including welfare fraud. During the trial that followed, Wilders defended himself by clarifying that he had not incited or called for genocide. Instead, he explained that his party’s program prioritized the expulsion of illegal immigrants and criminals with dual Moroccan citizenship, a stricter immigration policy, and an “active voluntary repatriation policy.”

Engagement with Media and Public

In a recent interview with Rebel Media, Geert Wilders discussed various topics, demonstrating his bold stance on numerous issues despite criticism. He spoke about the courage needed to stand firm when labeled “racist” by the legacy media and highlighted how environmentalist schemes adversely affect the cost of living for ordinary people. Wilders also touched upon the growth of populist parties across Europe and emphasized the need for the Netherlands to reduce foreign aid. His insights extended to his views on the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Additionally, Wilders opened up about the numerous threats to his life and discussed the multiple fatwas from Pakistani and Arab Imams. Despite these threats, he remains undeterred. His staunch anti-Islamic immigration policies have significantly influenced the Dutch national agenda for over a decade. Wilders expressed,

I have received numerous fatwas from Pakistani and Arab Imams, but I am not afraid. People in the Netherlands are waking up. Are they calling us racists? In the Netherlands and other European countries, natives are discriminated against because houses are given to asylum seekers. Who is racist? We are very angry!”

Throughout Wilders’ political career, he has been targeted by woke left liberals and smeared as a “racist” and “Islamophobe” for attempting to implement policies to protect the welfare of his country and its citizens. For example, some of his campaign promises to reverse the “Islamization” of the Netherlands include closing mosques and Islamic schools, securing the border, banning the Quran, which he compares to Mein Kampf, closing asylum centers, stopping the flow of Islamic migrants, and banning Sharia headwear for women in the Netherlands.

Wilders has refused to water down the facts about Islam when discussing the controversial religion. For example, a video from a 2010 press conference shows Geert Wilders referring to Muhammad as a “pedophile and mass murderer.” In the video, Geert is seen saying, “Why did I say that Muhammad was a mass murderer and a pedophile? Because he was. He married the young girl Aisha when she was six, and he consummated the marriage at the age of nine. When he went from Mecca to Medina, he slaughtered thousands of people, including all of the Jewish tribes. This is an example from the Muslim world. Indeed, Muhammad was a pedophile and a mass murderer. And why should I not tell the truth? If people are offended, so be it.”

Challenging the Turkish Presence in Europe and the Netherlands

Wilders is also known for his rejection of Turkey as a full member of the European Union. He released a video message very soon after his unprecedented victory. “I have a message to the Turks; we do not want you in Europe. You are not European. You can never be a part of Europe.” He went on to criticize Turkey, claiming it is ruled by the “dangerous Erdogan, who carries the flag of Islam,” and emphatically expressed, “We don’t want Islam.” Geert’s remarks have led to numerous violent protests and demonstrations in Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, and Egypt.

Wilders as ‘Dutch Donald Trump’

Wilders’ assertive political approach and unique hairstyle have led to him being nicknamed “Dutch Donald Trump.” This comparison, drawn by both the media and the public, stems from the striking similarities in their styles, rhetoric, and political stances, hence the distinctive nickname.

A Defiant Stand in the Face of Adversity

Geert Wilders’ political saga is not just a testament to personal resilience but a bold statement in the face of growing global challenges to freedom of speech and cultural identity. His unyielding stance against Islam and his defiant critique of left-wing multicultural policies have positioned him as a pivotal figure in the debate over national sovereignty and cultural assimilation in Europe. Wilders, often painted by the left as a controversial figure, embodies the struggle against a suppressive globalist agenda, championing the cause of those marginalized by mainstream political discourse.

In navigating these turbulent waters, Wilders has become more than a political leader; he’s a symbol of resistance against the encroachment of political correctness and the erosion of traditional values. His journey underscores the deep divisions in contemporary society and highlights the enduring struggle for freedom of expression in an era where such freedoms are increasingly under attack. As Wilders continues his battle both within the halls of the Dutch parliament and on the global stage, his story remains a resonant reminder of the contentious, often fraught balance between the left’s fight to erase cultural distinctions and the conservatives’ battle to protect national identity. In an age where the clash between Western and Islamic civilizations is more pronounced than ever, Wilders’ unwavering stance offers a beacon for those fighting to protect Western democracies.