Anti-Islamic Dutch politician Geert Wilders says he’s been allowed into Britain

Anti-Islamic Dutch lawmaker allowed into UK

LONDON — Anti-Islamic Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders has been allowed into Britain and is due to address the media at London’s Parliament, the politician said Friday.

Wilders, who describes the Quran as fascistic and opposes Muslim immigration to the Netherlands, is known for his 15-minute film “Fitna,” which outraged Muslims across the world by suggesting that Islam was synonymous with terrorism.

The British government banned him from the country earlier this year, arguing that his presence could incite violence. But Wilders successfully appealed the ban earlier this week and British officials had said they would not turn him back at the airport, as they did in February, when he was sent back to Amsterdam over Dutch objections.

Wilders told The Associated Press in a text message Friday morning that he had “landed and passed immigration” at London’s Heathrow Airport. Nevertheless, British officials have suggested that Wilders would be watched during his stay in the country.

“Clearly Mr. Wilders’ statements and behavior during a visit will inevitably impact on any future decisions to admit him,” Britain’s Home Office said in a statement Thursday.

British Muslims are horrified by Wilders’ politics, but have been divided on how best to deal with him. Some Muslim community groups support the government’s efforts to keep him out of the country, while others argue that the ban has been counterproductive.

A group of around 20 protesters gathered outside Parliament buildings holding placards saying “Sharia for the Netherlands” and “Islam will conquer Europe.”

One of the protesters, 23-year old Abu Ilyas said that “Islam does seek to conquer Europe.”

“What’s so bad about that?” Ilyas asked.