A 87-year-old Belgian man was almost kicked to death because he dared to criticise Islam. Since the elderly gent started voicing his concerns about how Islam treats animals, he appears to be no longer safe in his own house.
A youth from a “migrant background”, attacked Hendrik Keuleers and left him for dead last year.
Keuleers, who lives in the Belgian city of Ghent, is known for his window posters against bull fights, Spain’s prime minister and Islam’s treatment of animals.
It is not the first time that Keuleers is being singled out. Belgian media say his house has been terrorised for years after he started criticising Islam with self-made window posters.
Last year it resulted in the vicious attack, during which he was kicked off his bicycle. After the violent incident it did not stop some from reporting Keuleers for encouraging “racism and violence”.
The 87-year-old was even charged for “provoking violence” and “incitement to racism” but the case was soon dropped. The threats to Keuleers and the destruction of his property have however continued unabated.
He lives in a quiet street on the edge of the Prinsenhof district in Ghent. Many years ago he owned the Tap en Tepel catering business.
His little posters speak out against everything that annoys Hendrik: Animal suffering, especially the ritual slaughter of animals, is invariably denounced. Even tourists come to look at his windows.
But because of his opinions, Hendrik’s windows were smashed, flower boxes were destroyed, and last year he was kicked unconscious in front of his door. The perpetrator of that violence was put in an institution for a while, after he was caught on closed circuit camera but soon released.
“This is the world upside down”, his neighbours say. “This is also supposed to be progressive Ghent. But free speech is restricted here if it concerns sensitive issues.
“Every week, groups of Arab youths come to stone Hendrik’s windows. That remains unpunished. What is the next step then? What needs to...
