Publication

This note examines the extent of the threat posed to Western countries by Islam and their own Muslim populations, with a particular focus on the account of these threats by Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who describes Islam as a dangerous ideology. The author argues that overall, Wilders is not only wrong to describe Islam as an ideology, but that his approach encourages fear when what the West really needs to deal with the challenges it faces from extremism is to be confident in its commitment to free individuals, to freedom of conscience, and to the preservation of the rule of law.