WILDERS MOVIE WIDELY CONDEMNED
The Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has reacted to the provocative film Fitna (‘strife‘) that Member of Parliament Mr. Geert Wilders has released on the internet on 27 March.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (click here for the Arabic version):
‘On behalf of the Dutch government, I would like to respond to the online film by Mr Wilders.
The film shows images of violent acts and holds Islam and the Koran responsible for them. The government condemns such acts and those who commit them.
The film equates Islam with violence. We reject this interpretation. The vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and violence. In fact, the victims are often also Muslims.
We therefore regret that Mr Wilders has released this film. We believe it serves no purpose other than to cause offence. But feeling offended must never be used as an excuse for aggression and threats. The government is heartened by the initial restrained reactions of Dutch Muslim organisations.
Muslims, Christians and people of other convictions can easily live together in peace. The problem is not religion, but misuse of religion to sow hatred and intolerance. That is why we are calling for respect for everyone’s deepest convictions.
We are aware of the concerns and the sentiments about this film in the international Muslim community. We have recently spoken with many people at home and abroad to promote mutual understanding. We will continue to follow this course.
The Dutch government stands for a society in which freedom and respect go hand in hand. Such a society demands dedication and commitment. We oppose extremism. Anyone who breaks the law is dealt with firmly. Let us solve problems by working together. Let us reach out to others and build confidence and trust. Let us conquer prejudice. We shall surely succeed.‘
Click here for my comments on Mr. Geert Wilders. Having seen the propaganda film now, I fully agree with the Prime Minister’s response. Others have condemned or critized the film as well (click here and here too). By the way, the film contains several factual errors, e.g., it shows a picture of the Dutch-Moroccan rapper Salah Edin, instead of the actual terrorist, Mohammed B. Mr. Wilders also faces a legal challenge.
Karel Frielink
Attorney (Lawyer) / Partner
P.S. (2 April 2008)
On 1 April 2008, Mr. Geert Wilders accused two ministers, including the Minister of Justice, of lying when they claimed he told them and the Dutch Anti-Terrorism Authority the film would include pages being torn out of the Koran and burnt. The Ministers claim they were informed about this by the Anti-Terrorism Authority first and then by Mr. Wilders back in November 2007: a kind of pre-announcement with respect to the film to be made. This warning by Mr. Wilders has led the Dutch Government to take several precautionary measures to protect its people and interests both domestically and abroad (CNN reports on international protests).
However, in the film as broadcasted only a page of a phone book is torn out. Yesterday, Mr. Wilders accused the Dutch Government of over-reacting to the film prior to having seen the same and asked the Prime Minister for a public apology. According to the Government, it acted on the basis of their conversation with Mr. Wilders in 2007. Mr. Wilders is now denying that he gave any insight into the film at the time. However, during the debate, the Government provided Parliament with notes of two meetings with Mr. Wilders, one of which was attended by two Dutch Government ministers. According to those notes, Mr. Wilders told the Government that he was planning to end his film with him tearing out several verses from the Koran and burning them on an open fire. The question now is: who is lying? The Government or Mr. Wilders? The answer does not include the Government… Mr. Wilders showed up for what he is.
