Holland fears killings over ‘ban on burqa’

Rita VerdonkYes, seriously, that’s the headline to a report in the Sunday Times. Matthew Campbell writes: “Holland’s Muslims have responded with outrage to government proposals to ban the burqa [in fact, any form of Islamic veil covering the face], and there are fears that Rita Verdonk, the minister behind the move, will be added to a list of ‘enemies of Islam’ targeted for assassination.”

Campbell adds: “For a country that has legalised gay marriage, prostitution, euthanasia and cannabis, Holland seems in no mood for compromise when it comes to applying tough laws on immigration.” This argument, notoriously promoted by Pim Fortuyn, that it is necessary to crack down on Muslim migrants in order to defend “our” progressive values, is becoming increasingly common. Even the BNP use it on occasion.