(European Conservative) PVV leader Geert Wilders has called for all Islamic schools in the Netherlands to be closed and banned, stating on X that the proposal will be included in his party’s election manifesto.
Wilders argues that children should not be raised with what he describes as an “ideology of hate and violence” that does not belong in the Netherlands. His firm stance has triggered backlash from critics, who claim it violates the constitutional protections of religious and educational freedom.
While the Dutch constitution currently enshrines these freedoms, growing concerns have been raised in recent years — particularly about religious schools that, according to critics, isolate children within their own belief systems and encourage views that may conflict with Dutch society, including on issues like homosexuality and tolerance of differing opinions.
