Recently, I ‘came across a video of Geert Wilders, the Dutch far-right politician, bashing Al-Andalus—the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. (https://youtu.be/b3cmclVKANk?si=OsL-b8QS2uZHMTgd&t=529) It struck me as strange, not because of his usual distateful anti-Islam rhetoric but because of the blatant historical amnesia it reveals.
As far as I am concerned, the Netherlands were occupied by Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries, not by Muslims. Shouldn’t Wilders, as a proud Dutchman, be bashing Spain instead? irony. Instead we find him applauding the Spaniards? What’s going on?
Let’s take a closer look at the two periods—Muslim rule in Spain and the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands. The contrast is revealing, and it exposes the hypocrisy of those who cherry-pick history to fuel division.
Al-Andalus (711–1492), the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula, was a period of remarkable cultural, scientific, and artistic flourishing. Religious communities coexisted relatively well and Christians and Jews were able to practice their faiths in exchange for a tax. While not perfect, this system enabled a level of coexistence that was rare in medieval Europe. The cultural exchange contributed to advancements in medicine, astronomy, philosophy, and architecture. Cities like Córdoba became centers of learning and tolerance, attracting scholars from across Europe and the Islamic world. The legacy of Al-Andalus includes the preservation and transmission of classical knowledge. Muslim scholars translated and expanded upon the works of ancient Greek and Roman thinkers, which later fueled the European Renaissance. The architectural marvels of the Alhambra and the Great Mosque of Córdoba stand as testaments to this surprisingly non-brutal age.
In contrast, the Spanish occupation of the Netherlands (1567–1648) was marked by brutal suppression. The Spanish Crown, under Philip II, sought to crush Dutch Protestantism and enforce Catholic orthodoxy. The Duke of Alba’s reign of terror included mass executions, heavy taxation, and the infamous Council of Blood, which sentenced thousands to death.
The Spanish occupation of the Netherlands left a legacy of destruction and resentment. The Eighty Years’ War devastated the region, and the Dutch struggle for independence became a defining moment in their national identity. What about it, Geert?
Geert Wilders’ fixation on Al-Andalus while not even mentioning Spain’s oppressive history is not just selective—it’s anti-dutch. Man up, and be a true patriot, Geert. irony, irony.
