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Geert Wilders, a right-wing member of the Dutch Parliament, is now on trial in the Netherlands for a controversial film that juxtaposed Koranic quotes and images of Islamist terrorist violence. While the video’s content is undoubtedly controversial, the content of which can be found here, the fact that he potentially faces a 15-month prison sentence is even more so. Wilders has become increasingly popular despite his persecution as he has been willing to stand up to the increasing Islamism in the Netherlands and Europe as a whole.

As his trial opened, Wilders offered his opening statement, where he stressed the importance of liberty in society. Here are a few excerpts, but the entire speech can be found here.

“Our freedom in this country is the fruit of centuries. It is the result of a history that has no equal and has brought us to where we are today. I believe with all my heart and soul that the freedom is threatened in the Netherlands. That heritage, which generations could only dream of, is precisely this freedom which is no longer a given fact, no longer a matter self-evidence.”

“In this trial it of course is about the freedom of expression. But in this trial it is certainly also about finding the truth. The statements I have made, the comparisons I have drawn — are they true? As mentioned in the summons? Because if something is true, how can it be illegal?”

Thomas Sowell, an economics professor and syndicated columnist, has a distinct ability to discuss complex ideas using very clear and concise language. This is a skill that many columnists and most professors lack.

In this column, he rightfully denounces the UK’s decision to release the Lockerbie Bomber, citing it as one of many examples of how the West has become more tolerant toward Islamic extremism. He also objects to the notion that the Geneva Convention covers enemy combatants, and notes that Attorney General Eric Holder’s investigation of the CIA will prevent it from protecting the US from Islamist terrorism.

Last week, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) hosted Dutch MP Geert Wilders in Washington D.C. for a private screening of his controversial film Fitna. For those who are unaware, Wilders has been charged with inciting hate for making this 16-minute film which pairs Islamist terrorist attacks with violent passages from the Quran. Dutch prosecutors initially declined to charge Wilders, but members of the public petitioned a court to order Wilders to stand a trial, a request that the court granted.

When Wilders first tried to release this film, several companies that agreed to host it online backed out due to violent threats from outraged Islamists. The film was eventually released in early 2008, but Wilders has lived under constant police protection since then.

Wilders was invited to show the film in the British House of Lords earlier this year, but the British Home Secretary denied him entry into the country out of fear that he would incite hate. As his trial progresses, I will update this blog accordingly. More is at stake than Wilders’ freedom. If he is convicted, nobody in Europe will be willing or able to say anything negative about Islam, as has been the trend in recent years. I will follow this trial closely and update readers accordingly.