For months now, the Netherlands has been in the grip of the anti-Qur'an film announced by politician Geert Wilders. The controversy is prompting more and more questions in other countries.
What exactly is going on in the Netherlands? Where has this Geert Wilders character sprung from all of a sudden? What do his fellow countrymen think of him? And if the Dutch government is so scared of this film, why don't they simply ban it? Could it be that they actually support it?
Radio Netherlands Worldwide has produced its own short film about the issue in an effort to answer these questions. About 'Fitna the Movie' takes a more in-depth look at aspects of Dutch society, such as freedom of speech, aspects that sometimes lead to confusion abroad. The film also seeks to put Geert Wilders himself in perspective.
Dutch opposition MP
Geert Wilders |
Fitna
Even though no one yet knows exactly what Fitna is all about, Geert Wilders' comments have given us a few clues. He has already said that he wants to show that the Qur'an is "a fascist book". In a piece he submitted to Dutch daily newspaper de Volkskrant, he emphasised that he sees Islam as the problem, not Muslims. But he also says that Fitna is intended as a "final warning" to the West, which he believes is on the verge of giving up its freedoms without a fight.
What inspires someone to make these kinds of statements? Where does his anger at Islam come from? The historical dimension to this story is often forgotten. For example, the fact that the arrival of large groups of immigrants - many of them Muslims from Turkey and Morocco - has rapidly turned the Netherlands into a multicultural society over the past 40 years. This rapid change has given rise to a considerable level of irritation and discontent among the Dutch, regardless of their reputation for tolerance.
Assimilation
Particularly since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, integration of the Muslim minority has become the most emotionally charged political issue in the Netherlands. With his right-wing Freedom Party, Geert Wilders represents the most extreme stance on this issue. He believes that Islamic culture tends towards violence and is therefore at odds with the democratic values of Dutch society. He does not want to let any more Muslims into the country and he wants the Muslims who already live here to renounce part of their own culture in order to assimilate into Dutch culture.
Geert Wilders has a relatively small support base among the Dutch population. At the last election, six percent of Dutch voters cast their ballot for him, giving him nine seats in the Netherlands' 150-seat parliament. But his provocative statements have generated a massive amount of coverage in the media.
Freedom of speech
It is clear that the Dutch government is very concerned about Geert Wilders' film. They remember all too well the uproar in the Islamic world caused by the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammad in the Danish press two years ago. For some time now, Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen has been at pains to point out to the rest of the world that Geert Wilders' film far from represents the Dutch government's position but at the same time that the freedom of speech enshrined in the Dutch constitution means that Geert Wilders has every right to release the film. At least until such times as a court determines otherwise.
The Dutch take great pride in their democratic freedoms, which they believe mean that disputes should be settled with arguments and not with repression and outright conflict. This pride can best be summed up in the words attributed to the French enlightenment philosopher Voltaire: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!"
Charges
However, it is important to emphasise that even in the Netherlands, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute. Its boundaries are set by a ban on discriminating against others on the basis of race or faith and on incitement to violence. But it is up to the courts and not to the government to determine whether a film breaks the law. And such a ruling can only be made once the film has been shown. Dozens of charges have already been brought against Geert Wilders for discrimination and incitement to hatred and these are currently being considered by the courts. Depending on its content, Geert Wilders' film could also easily find itself the subject of legal scrutiny.
Geert Wilders has sparked an enormous amount of discussion in the Netherlands. For months now, it has been impossible to open a newspaper without being confronted with an article about the MP or people airing their opinions about him. Many in the Netherlands are totally opposed to his position. They think that he is slandering Dutch Muslims and is only making it more difficult for them to integrate by continually levelling accusations at them.
Others disagree with him but are still glad that he is around. They think that his provocative statements should be the starting point for a discussion between the native Dutch and Muslims in the Netherlands so that they can settle their differences.
Phantom film
Dutch Muslims have yet to enter into this debate in large numbers. But Geert Wilders' 'phantom film' has got Muslim organisations thinking about how they should respond when the film is released. The Landelijk Beraad Marokkanen - a national consultative body representing the Moroccan community - has already said that on the day of the film's release they will open the doors to all of the Moroccan mosques in the country. The attitude of the Dutch Muslims can perhaps best be summed up in the words of the organisation's chairman Mohammed Rabbae: "When the film is released, we should conduct ourselves with dignity. If we get angry or even turn to violence, we will be doing exactly what Mr Wilders wants us to do."
*RNW translation (dd)
Tags:
anti-Qur'an,
discrimination,
Fitna,
freedom of expression,
freedom of speech,
Geert Wilders,
multiculturalism,
Muslims
Linda,
30-03-2008
- U.S.A.
The question was why doesn't the Netherlands ban this film? Well for someone who knows The Netherlands; that is a stupid question. The Netherlands has had the reputation of being one of the most tolerant of countries. ( I lived there myself for several years) Well let's be tolerant of Mr. Wilders' film , shall we? Free speech and all that? Or is that just for some and not others? While we're at it, let's call a spade a spade. There are Muslims and then there are radical Islamists... This is aimed at educating people about them and their ultimate aims. Wake up Europe. Bat Ye'Or, Bruce Bawar, and Mark Steyn are all right. Europe hasn't long left to exist. Eurabia is coming, simply because the cowardly dhimmi establishment in Europe doesn't wish to make waves among its radicals.
Keir ,
kfredrickwolfley@gmail.com,
27-03-2008
- USA
The movie hasn't even been broadcasted and yet everyone is up in arms. A little premature don't you think? Without knowing the content of the movie how can you take a side? Calling a book fascist is merely ones opinion, if the courts bans this movie it will be one great step back for social progress and democracy all in the name of not wanting to offend anyone. The people must chose for themselves if they wish to see it, support it, or reject it; not the courts.
MD,
26-03-2008
-
This short movie tries to confuse freedom of speech with the freedom of publication.
While Wilders can publish his movie, he can and will be prosecuted for the content. It should be no surprise there is no actual freedom of speech in The Netherlands given the variety of laws that prohibit political incorrect thinking.
Edgar,
epodlesky@hotmail.com,
26-03-2008
- Colombia
Hello Edgar, do you have heart of the Islam problems in the Netherlands and of Geert Wilders? The man wil make a movie about Islam people and the problems(?) in the Netherlands. He says that the Koran is just a Donald Duck or Mein Kampf of Hitler. Here some information about this situation. And clic on the link: RNW's film: About Fitna, the movie. I hope to inform you about this situation in the Netherlands. Important is in this situation the freedom of speech in my country.
M. Moein ,
26-03-2008
-
What does this stupid Wilders think of Muslims and Islam and Quran? Is he mad or is he doing these all for earning money? Courageously I can say that Wilders should not forget that there are many Muslims living with him. May he think he will earn money, but he should think about his life and the life of thousands of Dutch people. WILDERS MUST KNOW IF HE CAN INSULT QURAN AND MUSLIMS. MUSLIMS CAN DO SOMETHING TO HIM AS WELL.
William Stout,
25-03-2008
- U.S.A.
What if there was no movie? Has anyone actually seen the film? Look at all the reactions. I think 'the movie' has already accomplished its purpose without anyone ever seeing a frame of the film. In every picture of Mr Wilders I've ever seen he has a 'cat that ate the mouse' grin.
Rooster,
25-03-2008
-
Racism is illegal. Islam is not protected like Judaism (With anti-semitic laws). So it is legal to hate Muslims and Islam. (Geert's logic) So all the ones who are not allowed to be racist are pouring out filth about groups of peope based on religion. The religion of Islam. Note also that most of the "immigrants" in our country are also "dark" but forget that...lets have a feast on Islam.....eh. We can be animals about other humans without breaking the law! Freedom of speech is great for the wild man but what would he do next? murder a muslim? call for genocide? Oh I may want to go and live in South Africa..if all this carries on....hold on....why not send the wild man there instead...it could be educational for him.
Yvonne,
24-03-2008
- Italy
For all the ones who didn't read the Koran (and the Bible): it is a discriminating book according to our current laws (anti gay/women should be submissive to men). No surprise, as all religions are by definition (partial/mostly) discriminating, for the simple reason that discrimination is in general the treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit. Wilders has the freedom of speech, whether you like it or not!
Dr. Kolimau 2000,
24-03-2008
- Republik Maluku Selatan.
The Hour H and day D are to forge the true Christians to take conscience of that if it cannot tolerate more with the criminals you practise desumanas of the followers of Ossama Bin Laden in lands of the Christians. Because if the Christians continue pávidos and with arms crossed without taking in account this series satanic threat of the son of lucifer, ossama bin laden, the Christians would finish to be all hanged people for the followers of this frantic and paranoia son of Lucifer in our proper houses. If thus she will be we ourselves, the Christians, we conform with these seductions of the men and women, heirs of lucifer continue active in our society crest and as until them in they would finish them for exterminar in the face of this Globe, where the human beings are inhabited. For the Christians the best cloudy one and already to take steps necessary against all this plague deriving of the together children of Lucifer and levantamo-in the a Cross and Sword to give to due following justice to all this abominable and chaste of the Lucifer of Ossama Bin Laden in our society human being! Leaving of this principle of that in the Christians we must assent that the cards of Denmark and film of Dutch Senator Geert Wilderes must already and they continue to expand for the world it are for intransigent combat of the atrocities and horrendos crimes committed by the fanatic Muslen, followers of the psychopath Ossama Bin Laden and its abetters. The Christians are men of love and peace because our God Ours Mr. Jesus Christ and a true God of Love and Peace. But we do not allow that you practise them of the deriving satanizes of the fanatic Muslen and psychopathic with Ossama Bin Laden they arrive to destroy our root completely crest in this millenium.
Franklin,
24-03-2008
- USA
So...the article says "many" oppose Wilders' views, and "others disagree with him." The article suggests there have been no public expressions of support for his views. None at all? Not even the 6% who voted for his party, they haven't uttered a peep? If this is true, then his thesis is entirely borne out. You are already living under Sharia, and you are already a society of dhimmis, a majority underclass to the slaves of Allah.
Doneltac,
24-03-2008
-
To Mr. Blake: Whatever right is yours to talk about Nazi's and compare them to Mr. Wilders? You compare the death of million innocent people to a movie??
Andre,
24-03-2008
- Netherlands
I missed the information in the film WHY this crazy Wilders got that support in the Dutch Society. I will tell you Many here are fed up with criminal en rude behaviour of a part of the Muslims that dont want to integrate in our society. People here in Holland usualy dont care about Religion,but its the behaviour that counts. I dont like Wilders at all,but I can understand some people think he is the last resort to help them.
Isabel,
23-03-2008
-
Why there is so much inconveniance with all this discussion? Because there are a deep difference in sociaty. A sociaty is not made by copy and paste..a sociaty is made in a very complex structure and when there`s dramatic and deep differences becomes an hot topic.. What to do?? Think for yourselves(Voltaire)
Tomcat,
23-03-2008
- Romania
You fools, it's not about the religion, that is just a tool being successfully used to manipulate people. Remember the dark ages when in Europe people were hanged because of 'witchcraft' or 'blasphemy' !!! What this really is about is lack of education and poverty in many Muslim countries, that is getting people to turn to extremism! Both the Koran and the Bible can be interpreted in multiple ways, and is only to the reader how they are really understood and applied. Ration is needed, in this age of global idiocy!
jasmin,
23-03-2008
- India
This is a golden opportunity for the Dutch Muslims in particular and the global Muslim community in general to prove Geert Wilders's assumption about the Holy Qur'an and the Muslims wrong. They should act with maturity and restraint. The best punishment for Wilders and his movie is to ignore him and his views. Reactions and media attention is the food of any politician. Wilders is baiting Muslims to react with violence so that he can prove his point. My appeal is to not to take his bait. He will be defeated. God and name of Allah is too great to be sullied by the likes of Wilders. Don't let this moment to pass by!
