Yesterday we posted a video of Geert Wilders’ speech in Copenhagen on November 2. His remarks were followed by a question and answer session with the audience, and included the participation of other members of the podium panel. Part of the discussion was a lively exchange between Daniel Pipes and Mr. Wilders on the question of the “Moderate Muslim”, or “Moderate Islam”.

For those who would like to listen to the debate between Dr. Pipes and Mr. Wilders, the video of the event is here. The relevant portion begins at about 37:08 and ends at 43:10 (the quality of the audio is not very good, but a transcript is in the works).

Last night I posted my own two cents on the moderate-versus-radical trope. Our Arabic translator ritamalik weighed in with a comment on the subject, which deserves to be reproduced here in its entirety. It has been edited slightly for paragraphing, punctuation, and clarity:

The problem with this “Moderate Islam” stuff is that even if it happens it will be a lie, and all lies will one day be exposed and a backlash will be imminent. Islam did become more “moderate” at the turn of the century and as a result of forced secularisation and the abject defeat of the Ottoman Empire, a.k.a. The Caliphate. A lot of its more militant aspects were swept under the rug for many decades. But if that was the solution then why are we here now having to deal with Al Qaeda and IS? The reason is that “moderate Islam” is a lie! The only person who has the right to define Islam and say what it is and it is not is the founder of the religion i.e. Muhammad.