It was supposed to be a debate around the question “What bounds us together?”… Frits Bolkestein forgot the topic and went on with personal attacks while acknowledging – after much hesitation – he had read only one book (The Messenger) that had nothing to do with my thoughts on this very topic…. The reponses are clear. Watch the video here
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Salam Alikoum,
I just had a few things to say regarding this debate. First of all, I’d like to say that Mr Ramadan again has done a great job representing Islam and muslims, I also think that Mr Fritz is way off the topic, brought forward very poor unbased arguments, they are not even arguments as far as I’m concerned but others defamation words if I may say. Very disappointed in Fritz level of education, understanding of what’s in stake, he also shows no knowledge of the subject neither any well based arguments on Islam, muslims or whatsover. To conclude I think Mr Ramadan deserves credit for sitting and listening to such uneducated man, It’s simply a joke.
Salam,
Wise decision not to use all your speech time justifying yourself and answering his false and unjustified allegations.
Assalamu Alaikum,
Very interesting – it seemed that by the end of the discussion, Mr. Bolkestein had become more reasonable, and was actually discussing the problems at hand, rather than dealing with stereotypes and distractions.
I wish he would debate you again, so we could see what he has learned.
Assalamu Aleykum
Are you sure Mr Bolkenstein has read the Messenger??? Mr Ramadan clearly states in the Messenger that according to a hadith there are 3 conditions of respecting another belief/religion
1. knowledge of the other
2. sincerety and honesty
3. humility in one’s claim to prossess the truth.
Before starting a debate as such Mr Borkenstein might reconsider his statements and accusations and gain beforehand more knowledge, insight and truth about the subject he then aims to talk about in all honesty and sincerety.
Wow, that was ridiculous… Mr. Ramadan was the only one actually addressing the topic. I seriously get the impression that ISLAM=BAD to Mr. Bolkenstein, and he cannot move beyond that.
Salam
I liked him, I would’ve picked him as a grandpa, a bit ignorant but not harmful at all. And I think Mr. Ramadan got it too cause he seems like he was sparing him…
I think in Europe lots of things need to be done .. good luck brothers and sisters.
wa Salam from Canada.
Bolkestein is a notorious islamcritic here in the Netherlands; he was the first to point out “the dangers of islam” in the nineties, when this wasn’t fashionable yet. In fact Pim Fortuyn and Wilders learned the trick from him, although he did criticise both men for being too radical; he stands for the more ‘intelectual’ voice, and Hirsi Ali calls him her example.
Bolkestein suffers from a superioritycomplex. He wrote a very arrogant piece for a paper the day after this debate; saying that “the world of global islam TR envisions” is one that EVERY MUSLIMS should reject. Let’s let Bolkestein tell us how to think.
The dutch are trying to sacrifice an upcoming muslimleader. But leadership isn´t bound to institutions, but to people on the ground. And I can tell you mr. Ramadan, we have found our way to your work and your thinking and we will continue to learn from and support you. Holland now knows Tariq Ramadan.
Dear Tariq, congratulations with the statements of Rik Grashoff. Although it won’t be easy to work in this climate. I wish you good luck.
It´s all part of a (sometimes painful) emancipation-struglle. We all ough you a big thank you.
this penal disscusion reminded me of the momement when i heard of this unknown name for me :Tariq Ramadan !!During Easter i was invited by some Romanian friends to their house and one of them had a book about Tariq by Caroline Fourest.My friend told me that the book tries to denigrate one the finest intellectuals that was given to France to hear since Gide.So when arriving in Romania I tried to find some of his books.It is a pity that your books are not translated into Romanian ;thank God for youtube and the internet!Since then i have been visting your page as often i could and see your video posts.I wanted to mention also the millions of the communists victims that died in the siberian Gulag.We don’t have only one Holocoust!!What Soljenitsy wrote in his book “The Gulag Arhipelago” is not science fiction or fiction!!!it is a lesson of history and “humanity” that we should all learn and never forget.We should start asking ourselves what bounds us together instead of what keeps us apart!!
Thank you Tariq
best wishes
Anka(Romania)
Mr Ramadan, you have been villified! You come with a too moderate message in a time of extremism on both sides. I hope your discourse and that of other reasonable voices finds it´s way back to the scene. The future depends on it.