The ongoing trial of an influential politician and lawmaker of the Netherlands, Geert Wilders, for his anti-Muslim and anti-Islam remarks represents in fact a trial of civilization itself, to coin after the celebrated Historian Arnold Toynbee’s “Civilization on Trial.” The very fact that the judicial system of the Netherlands has, on complaints from the Dutch Muslims, taken up a case against Wilders bears testimony to the civilized nature of the Dutch society at large. Wilders has made many nasty, unpardonable remarks against Muslims, Islam, and the Quran. He faces charges of inciting hatred against Muslims for many remarks, including some equating Islam with fascism and violence and others calling for a ban on the Quran and a tax on Muslim headscarves. His remarks include "let not one more Muslim immigrate" and "I've had enough of the Quran in the Netherlands: Forbid that fascist book."

“A conservative government that depends on Wilders' Freedom Party to reach a one-vote majority in parliament took office this month. In return for his support, the government has vowed to turn away more asylum seekers, halve the number of new immigrants from non-Western countries, ban face-concealing Muslim garb for women in public and force immigrants to pay for their own mandatory citizenship classes.” (See:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101022/ap_on_re_eu/eu_netherlands_hate_speech ).

It remains to be seen how the case against Wilders proceeds and concludes. On his complaint against the panel of judges that was conducting the case against him, a retrial of the case has been ordered (See the above link).

Wilders’ remarks are nothing short of Islamophobia. Justice would be done if the trial concludes that way.

In this context, it is relevant also to mention that a news analyst in the United States has been fired from National Public Radio, who has served them for ten years, for his disparaging remarks about Muslims. The news analyst Juan Williams remarked on a Fox News show program: "Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot, you know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried, I get nervous." I think, NPR has done the right thing in firing him. NPR issued a statement saying Mr. Williams was a valuable contributor but that his remarks "undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR." In a memo to member stations Thursday, NPR's Chief Executive Vivian Schiller stressed that an NPR news analyst is not a commentator and "may not take personal public positions on controversial issues." (See: Wall Street Journal’s news item “NPR firing of analyst sparks media debate,” on its online edition, media and marketing, October 22, 2010; the link: NPR Firing Sparks Firestorm)

The above cases highlight the image problem that Muslims and Islam have earned in the Western world because of the violent activities of some splinter “Muslim” extremist groups. They also illustrate how vulnerable are the Muslim Diaspora in Western countries. Muslims at large are by far peaceful. Islam is far from its militant portrayal in the West. It is unfortunate that due to the activities of some fanatic and violent “Muslims,” all Muslims are facing a backlash and Islam is being ridiculed. The Quran strongly condemns aggressive wars, and persecution and torture, and asks believers to cease hostility, if the enemy inclines to peace (2:190-193; 4:90; 8:61-62). It clearly and strongly warns humankind against any act of wrongdoing, murder, corruption, or mischief in the land (5:32; 7:56, 74; 13:25; 26:151–152, 183; 27:48–49; 47:22–23). The Quran strongly urges humankind to exhibit utmost tolerance against fellow human beings, not simply religious tolerance. It regards all children of Adam with honor and dignity (17:70). Human rights abuse is strictly forbidden (26:181-183). Even enemies are required to be treated with justice (5:8, 2). It forbids reviling gods of others religions lest God should risk being reviled wrongfully by the followers of other religions out of ignorance (6:108). It forbids any kind of force and coercion in religion (2:256; 10:99; 109:1-6; 50:45).[1] It is indeed sadly ironic that such a peaceful religion is so much maligned and looked down upon by ignorant people in the West.