Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende says he's "gravely concerned" about the consequences of the yet-to-be-broadcast anti-Qur'an film being produced by right wing politician Geert Wilders.
The Dutch cabinet discussed the repercussions of the film at length during their weekly meeting. The cabinet clearly wants to get a message of tolerance and moderation out before the film is released.
In a statement to the press, the Prime Minister said the Netherlands stands for freedom, but also for respect. He stopped short of calling on Mr Wilders not to broadcast the film, but, he said, "the first person who has to take responsibility for the consequences, is Mr Wilders himself. And that's not a call for him to do anything, but he should look into his own conscience, and ask what his responsibility here is."
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on national TV, calling on Mr Wilders to reconsider his movie plan
(NOS screenshot) |
Capitulating to Islam
In reaction to the Prime Minister, Mr Wilders said "The cabinet is capitulating to Islam. I will never, ever do so." Earlier in the week, in an unusual move, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen called on Mr Wilders not to broadcast the film. Mr Wilders was even stronger in his response to the Foreign Minister, telling him to "stuff it".
Mr Wilders is the leader of the populist Freedom Party, the fifth largest party in the Dutch parliament. He has long been making headlines with his claims that Islam's holy book of is fascist, and should be banned. His film, which is said now to be finished, has been creating controversy in the Netherlands and abroad since the plan to make it became known in early December. The film is fifteen minutes long, and is called Fitna, Arabic for trial or ordeal.
Afghanistan
Muslims around the world have reacted angrily to news of the film. The Taliban in Afghanistan announced this week that it would step up attacks on Dutch soldiers in Uruzgan if the film is broadcast. Development Minister Bert Koenders has cancelled a trip to Somalia. A children's film, Where is Winky´s Horse, was banned from being shown at an international film festival in Egypt, as retribution. Dutch stewardesses have said they are scared of flying.
Various cabinet ministers also hinted that Dutch intelligence has been getting more specific threats against Dutch nationals or Dutch interests. The country could suffer economic damage, as has been the case with Denmark after the cartoon row two years ago. A number of Dutch organizations representing business interests have made an appeal to Mr Wilders not to show the film.
Dutch Muslims
In addition to asking Mr Wilders to re-consider broadcasting the film, Mr Balkenende called on Muslims around the world not to overreact, and to take their cue from Muslims here in the Netherlands. He complemented this country's Muslim community for its calm, considered approach to the film.
Nonetheless, Prime Minister Balkenende is seriously concerned about Dutch economic interests and the safety of Dutch citizens abroad. When asked why he didn't ban the film in the interests of national security, the Prime Minister said that was not possible. The most the government could do, he said, is to prosecute Mr Wilders after the fact. He did say that in his nearly six years as prime minister, he's never seen anything like the commotion surrounding the announcement of this film.
Mr Wilders appears determined to have the movie broadcast. He has registered a website just for the film, www.fitnathemovie.com, and will now take the finished version around looking for a television station to air it. The anticipation, and consternation, is mounting. And Mr Wilders has us right where he wants us.
Tags:
Fitna,
Geert Wilders,
Jan Peter Balkenende
Me,
20-03-2009
- finland
Mr Wilders didn't commit the violent scenes in the movie. That was people who follow Islam. It is amazing that such violent teachings from that holy book is accepted as a religion worldwide. Looks more like an ideology of death and destruction to me.
You don't even have to watch the film to see what Islam does to people. Just look at any Islamic country. No freedom of speech, no human rights and women are treated like cattle. Islam is totalitarism and facism, not democracy and freedom. And now there are more and more people in our own countries who want to live under these barbaric laws.
The film shows truth and Islam can't handle the truth. People make demands and threat with violence in the name of Islam and dare accuse us of intolerance?
Wake up Europe and people around the world! If you turn away from this problem you might as well have turned away from Nazi Germany. This problem is not a militant one, yet. But if we don't start dealing with the radical elements of Islam in our society it will only grow and grow before the radical element is the majority and then it may be too late. Even some of the "moderate Muslims" think that they'd be happier under Islamic laws and that the word of their god is the only true truth (in all of its meaning). They don't want to integrate into our society, they want us to integrate to Islam.
I oppose Islam not Muslims.
I'm against hate not faith.
klaus,
28-03-2008
-
It's ok, Muslim is Muslim, terror is terror, if you are good Muslim it is no problem, or you're Muslim and try to kill like chop the head off that is evil Muslim... I know some of good Muslim, but 90% bad Muslim.
Al,
25-03-2008
- USA
There is a joke about a UN soldier in the Korean War. A journalist asked him, "Is it true that the Communists attack in hordes?" The soldier replied, "Sure they do. Why, just this morning, we were attacked by two Chinese hordes." "What happened?", asked the reporter. "We killed both of them." The Taliban should be worried, not NATO, not the Dutch.
Cas,
18-03-2008
- The Netherlands!
First of all, I think that Geert Wilders has not made a film about the islam. He is just showing us that the islam is a violent religion by setting up this discussion. The proof?? Even our twat of a minister president is scared for the reations to the movie! Secondly, if the movie Fitna has been made, and is broadcasted on his website, I hope it is everything Geert Wilders has said it would be! I'm certianly looking forward to the reactions of the islamic people. For instance; if they react violently like most people say they will, Geert Wilders has been wright all the way. Then he's got my vote to forbid the Koran in The Netherlands and the islamic dutchmen should reconsider their religional beliefs. And when the islamic people take it like they should, and make a peaceful stand against it (because Wilders has only made a film; nothing violent about that), then we truly live in a multi-cultural democratical society of which a lot of countries can learn something. Thirdly, Pat Condell, thanks for your currage to share your beliefs with us! It is such a shame you're not a dutch politician. Wilders can learn a lot from your lecturing skills.
Daryl,
16-03-2008
- Australia
A man is only half a man if fear holds him back - Rodney Fox (White Pointer Shark Victim) I applaud Wilders ... he shows great courage, but I am bitterly disappointed in the Dutch government's response. How pathetic and self-serving! As an atheist, I am neither left or right wing anything, and I have no vested interest in verbally attacking any religion such as those Farook describes... "almost every religion in this world teaches good things, concern and respect for people and society as a whole." Sadly, Farook lives in a fantasy world of wish-lists instead of facts. Wake up Farook. What right do you (or anyone else) have to force me to accept the Islamic faith under the threat of death?
I am deeply insulted and offended at your fellow Islamist death threats and retaliatory murders in Europe and Japan. In your world, I have the right to come and kill those responsible! I don't agree. Instead, I look forward to the fast approaching Post Theism Age where religious dogmatic madness is a distant memory for our fortunate peaceful descendants. I trust that non-Muslims everywhere take note of this timely film. It is just the beginning.
DALE A. WILHITE,
dale_wilhitee@yahoo.com,
10-03-2008
- USA
Here in America, we have had a number of movies and television programs that slander people of the Christian faith. (Like Jesus Christ Superstar.) But we do not seek to kill those who make these vile films and we do not seek to have them censored either. The dutch government should not give in to the threats of terrorists. For if they do, then these terrorists will continue to make more demands. Instead of the Muslim world getting angry over films that might slander their religion, why don't these Muslim cowards get angry and do something about people like Osama Bin Laden, who has high jacked the Muslim religion and uses it to justify his crimes against humanity.
mike,
07-03-2008
-
Can't you see the Muslims are invading all the countries of Europe. When will you wake up? Soon they will have cultural and political control and your countries will belong to them.
Farooq Khan,
06-03-2008
- PK
Releasing such sort of movies will create brutality and violence among the people and religions of this world through a so called term “Freedom of Expression”. I have very carefully observed the basics of many religions and come to the conclusion that despite several differences in beliefs and thoughts, almost every religion in this world teaches good things, concern and respect for people and society as a whole. Those who humiliate any religion of this world are arousing violence among the people. Such people are sinners and are even not the good followers of their own religion as well, because their religions also does not teach and allow such things. Can any body ask the makers of such movie and cartoons that: “have they ever read or understood their own religion ever?”
Sandra,
06-03-2008
- Nederlands
I met a lot of Dutch muslims who are indifferent to the film and think the media is making a bigger to do about it and giving Wilders too big a head. The Dutch muslims are like any Dutch citizen, who are worried more about the high cost of living, global warming education etc.
bugs,
05-03-2008
- Netherlands
Seems that some comment posters here are forgetting that this is still a 'Dutch' issue. References are being made to what happens or is not possible to do in islamic countries, but the point is in fact that Wilders is a Dutch politician in the Netherlands, looking to increase his popularity with a certain group of Dutch voters. In this light it is utterly irrelevant to view his film as a 'statement against Islam' - it is a 'statement against Dutch Muslims'. However, we do not have 'beheadings' in Holland, we do not have sharia law, we do not have a seriously radical Muslim population here, in fact the response to Wilders film so far by the local Muslim communities has been very mild and moderate in comparison to the knee-jerk 'theyre going to try to kill us all' expectations shown by some posters here. Maybe we should follow the example of the Muslim community here and continue to request discussion and debate. What happens in Muslim countries is not what happens in the Netherlands, so you have to ask yourself, what is Wilders trying to do - stamp out Islam worldwide, or only in the Netherlands? (where the only problems seem to be the ones Wilders himself is creating). In either case, he must take responsibility for his actions rather than throw up his hands and say 'I'm allowed to say what I want' as though that carries no further responsibility. He is showing he cares nothing for Dutch people who do not live (or vote) in the Netherlands, nor for the safety of those 'fool' enough to want to travel into Muslim countries (and there are some beautiful ones - Turkey, Indonesia etc). Isn't he interferrling with their rights too? Just ask yourself, what is Wilders trying to achieve with this film, and why, and then ask yourself what it in fact WILL achieve and compare these things. Can you see any positive outcome for anyone in the Netherlands, either Muslim or non-Muslim?
female,
04-03-2008
- netherlands
Its about our freedom of speech, freedom of religion etc. That is the reason why there are so many mosques in the Netherlands. If you take away our freedom of speech, take their freedom of religion away! Our Goverment isn't neutral anymore so we're [done for]!
Amir Normandi,
amir.normandi@gmail.com,
04-03-2008
- USA
No one should fear to say what they think.
The civilized world needs the courage to promote and protect the notion of freedom of expression.
Mon,
02-03-2008
- UK
I was born and raised as a Christian, and converted to Islam very recently. My decision was based on five years of research of almost every religon in the world. Although I am not a big fan of Islamic fundamentalism, but I do see this action to trigger a lot of violence worldwide. But do try to remember that we, as public, will believe anything that the media will want us to know/believe. If you condemn the violent acts of Muslims, you must also remember what triggered the attacks. Perhaps violent acts of the American and British army who slaughtered over one million innocent civilians in Iraq, and humiliated several others for personal laughter?
www.antiwar.com
Or maybe killing over 500 thousand civilians in Afghanistan? Or maybe one million people killed in Chechnya? Or was it because Israel invaded the Muslim land of PALESTINE and continue to kill hundreds of innocent civilians on a daily basis?
Its easy to believe the bad side of anything or anyone, which is of course human nature. However, if you want to know what Islam is about, do your own research and speak to people who you trust, speak to scholars who you think are credible and you will find a completely different picture of what is painted on our screens on a daily basis!
Thank you for reading this and May god bless you!
Jay,
02-03-2008
- Canada
"We all are waiting for the movie to be released (or for the withdrawal), and we will jump with legal action on each and every discriminatory image and sentence."
What if he just shows the truth. What could the law do to him? It's not discrimination, it's just the scary truth about Islam. I course Muslims will do anything to silence a critic, it seems they prefer murder though.
Nunu,
02-03-2008
-
While he may be just one individual, he is also the leader of a political party and someone who was elected by a number of Dutch citizens. Therefore he represents more than just himself. I agree that it is not the government's responsibility to stop him, but it is the responsibility of his constituents and his party to urge him to stop this film. If they don't, then they share in the blame for anything that happens. While Hirsi Ali's film may have been an offense to Islam, that truly was the act of an individual. In the case of this new film, it is rightfully to be considered the act of the nation.
