On 26 November 2014, the Wilders movement – worshipping a country without islam – warned for an avalanche of children named after Mohammed. It did so in the Dutch Parliament, debating the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (which includes integration). It warned for the death of Dutch culture and identity, pointing at the wombs of muslimahs as its cause. It accused those members of parliament who defended the freedom of religion – including the freedom to be a muslim – of acting out of opportunism, as they were relying on a muslim electorate. So far for the Wilders movement.

One can be certain that prof. R.P. Cleveringa did not act out of opportunism when he argued before the students of his faculty “that - as is apparent from its purpose - is committed to justice, this comment may not be left unsaid: in accordance with Dutch traditions the Constitution declares that every Dutch person is eligible to be appointed to any service of his country and to hold any rank and any office, and affords him, irrespective of his religion, the enjoyment of the same civil and citizen rights”. Cleveringa told so in his address given on 26 November 1940, in protest against the dismissal of his colleague Professor E.M. Meijers, whose sole mistake was that he was born from a Jewish womb.

In Cleveringa’s faculty one can participate in research and education irrespective of one’s religion, name or womb of origin. We work together, with no reason to question each other’s background – male, female, believer or non-believer – other than out of sincere interest. This is the message of 26 November. It will be strong enough to survive whatever Wilders cares to say all year round.