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International reactions to Fitna

January 01, 1970

The international reaction to Fitna consisted of condemnation from Muslims, several fatwa against Geert Wilders, and attempts by many Islamic countries to censor the film. The Dutch government immediately distanced itself from the film. Several Muslim organizations and political parties organized boycotts against Dutch products.

Prior to the release edit

It was feared that the film would lead to violent demonstrations by Muslims much like the organized protests against the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons that were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in 2005.[1] The Dutch counter-terrorism agency raised its terror risk level from "limited" to "substantial", noting Islamist death threats against Wilders and calls to attack Dutch troops.[2] Previous violence included the burning of the Danish embassy in Syria and other acts of violence around the world, including the murder of a Catholic nun.[3]

In the Netherlands edit

The movie was first mentioned in the Dutch media on November 27, 2007. The Dutch government almost immediately expressed great concern about the film release.[4] It made evacuation plans available to all its consulates and embassies worldwide and tightened security measures around military installations abroad.[5]

The Prime minister of the Netherlands, Jan Peter Balkenende, worried about possible repercussions for Dutch citizens and economic interests.[6] In response Wilders accused Balkenende of capitulating to Islam.[7]

Wilders had been warned by Dutch National Counterterrorism Co-ordinator Tjibbe Joustra that his film may "lead to reactions that endanger public order, security and the economy".[8] The publication of the film was investigated by the Dutch Ministry of Justice to find out whether the release of the film could be prevented, but this could not be done.[citation needed] In an opinion poll, 54% of Dutch people still believed that the film should be released, despite any possible negative effects.[9]

On March 6, 2008, the Dutch government raised its national risk level of a terrorist attack from the status 'limited' to 'substantial' because of concerns that Muslim terrorists would launch attacks against European targets, using the film as justification.[10][11]

A demonstration against the release of the film occurred in Dam Square, in Amsterdam, on 22 March 2008.[12] In response to concerns, Dutch broadcaster Radio Netherlands Worldwide created a multi-language website to detail the film, the surrounding controversy, its creator, and the nation of its origin.[13] The Dutch newspaper De Pers printed a reconstruction of how the concerns came about and who was responsible for them.[14]

A large advertisement was placed on the front page of de Volkskrant stating that if Wilders had said the things he has said about Muslims, about Jews, he would have been prosecuted for antisemitism.[15] The advertisement was endorsed by the Jewish organisations Stichting de Initiavieven and Een Ander Joods Geluid.

Other reactions edit

On 7 April 2008, Indonesia blocked access to YouTube and a number of other websites, such as MySpace and Multiply. Minister of Menkon Info Muhammad Nuh passed a bill that forced 146 ISP's in Indonesia to block access to YouTube on Monday. Kompas confirmed that the reason for the block was YouTube's refusal to remove Fitna from their servers.[16] The block has now been removed, and the foreign relation minister has apologised to the people for any inconvenience.

Also it banned in Malaysia due to its Islamic content and violent nature. [17]

The EU alerted its diplomatic missions around the world to expect a reaction to the release of the film.[18]

NATO said it feared that the consequences of Fitna would affect the safety of troops in Afghanistan.[19] Indeed, Zabihullah Mujahid stressed that the Taliban would increase their attacks on Dutch military and humanitarian peacekeepers in Afghanistan, if the film were released.[20]

President Nicolas Sarkozy declared that France would provide the support to the Netherlands in the event of international problems.[21]

Iran threatened to review its diplomatic stance with the Netherlands if the film was aired.[22] Public protests occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan.[23] Egypt said it was closely monitoring the situation.[24]

In February 2008, Pakistan internally banned YouTube for several days due to a video clip one report claimed to be a trailer for Fitna;[25] the ban was lifted a few days later.[26] As a result of the block, Pakistan accidentally caused YouTube to be unavailable worldwide for two hours.[27][28][29]

The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badr al-Din, said that if Geert Wilders showed the image of a burning Qur'an in his film, the Dutch people will be held responsible and possible attacks against Western public interests would not be not out of the question.[30]

Wilders is the subject of a fatwa, associated with Al-Qaeda, calling upon Muslims to assassinate him in the name of Islam.[31][32][33]

Network Solutions website suspension edit

On 5 March 2008, a preliminary version of the movie's official website, fitnathemovie.com, went online.[34][35] The only page on the site consisted of a picture of the Qur'an accompanied by the text "Geert Wilders presents Fitna" and "Coming soon". On 22 March, the hosting provider of the website, Network Solutions, replaced the page with a message stating that the company “is investigating whether the site's content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy” and that “Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation.”[36][37][38]

On March 24, Network Solutions issued a press release saying the company asked Wilders for a copy of the film to review to gauge compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy, and it was only after they received no response from Wilders that they suspended the website.[39][40] Wilders responded saying he had other options available and that his film would be made public before 1 April.[41] The shutdown was followed by extensive criticism of Network Solutions' alleged hypocrisy in hosting the domain of Hezbollah, an entity that the United States and the Netherlands (along with four other countries) designate as a terrorist organization.[42][43][44] On March 26, Network Solutions shut down the hizbollah.org domain as well.[37]

After the release edit

The reaction was mild in comparison with what was expected, with some Muslim delegates describing it as “not as jarring as anticipated”, saying they were “extremely relieved”.[45][46] A worldwide violent reaction did not materialise, in stark contrast with threats made by Islamic leaders in the months before the release of the film.[47][48] Death threats did occur against Wilders and the company that hosted the film. [citation needed]

In the Netherlands edit

In a televised reaction following the release, Jan Peter Balkenende, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, gave his reaction on behalf of the Dutch government.[49]

Amongst other things, it stated:

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.[49]

Dutch parliamentarians of the largest political parties, Pieter van Geel (CDA), Mariëtte Hamer (PvdA) and Mark Rutte (VVD) stated that it was sad that the film did not present any solutions to current problems in the Dutch society - integration of Muslim immigrants and Muslim extremism - and invited Mr. Wilders to discuss possible solutions in the parliament.[50] In a later parliamentary debate to discuss Balkenende's televised reaction, they expressed further opinions, calling the film 'cunningly made with evil intentions' (CDA), 'a message of fear beyond compare' (PvDA) and 'paranoid' (SP). Wilders was described as a 'political pyromaniac' (VVD) and a 'fearful man' (D66).[51]

According to Der Spiegel, a speaker for the Muslim organization Contactorgaan Moslims en Overheid (CMO), Yusuf Altuntas, said that Wilders "is obviously looking to push the limits, but he resists crossing them." For instance, in the film a ripping sound overlaid with imagery of the Qur'an is said to be the ripping of a page from the phone book, and thunder sounds are replacing what might otherwise be perceived as bomb explosion sounds. The Arabic expert Leo Kwarten on the other hand said that "these subtleties may however be lost in the Arabic world."[52]

The Centraal Joods Overleg (Central Jewish Committee) released a statement on March 28, 2008, condemning the film for reinforcing prejudices by implying that all Muslims are terrorists. The Committee said that the portrayal of Muslims in this manner was counterproductive, and that the Dutch Jewish community, along with the Dutch Muslim community and all of Dutch society, has a duty to combat all religious-based terrorism, and to protect everyone against those who wish to overthrow democracy or promote religious hatred.[53][54]

Politician, and former Muslim, Ehsan Jami had intended to release an animated cartoon entitled The Life of Mohammed on April 20, 2008.[55] The film, critical of Islam and Muhammad, was to depict Muhammad as a "sexual pervert" for the consummation of his marriage to Aisha when she was nine or ten years old at the time. In one clip, Muhammad is shown with an erection, taking the girl to a mosque adorned with a Nazi swastika, in preparation of her deflowering.[56] Following calls from the Minister of Justice, Ernst Hirsch Ballin, to not increase tension in society, Jami decided against its release. He spoke of his fears that the Dutch police would be unable to adequately protect his safety, and of the possibility of a fatwa calling for his death being issued by Iran.[57][58]

The Dutch Islamic Federation petitioned a judge for a judgement on Geert Wilders on allegations of hate speech law violations.[59] Wilders was found not guilty of spreading hate.[60]

In November 2008, a pamphlet that was distributed to children aged 10–12 years compared Fitna to Mein Kampf, stating that "Geert Wilders’ film Fitna and Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf are based upon one-sided points-of-view. Fortunately there are also other books and plays that -on the contrary- show respect for people with other ideas or faiths or that look different."[61]

Africa edit

In Algeria, the Minister for Religious Affairs said that Fitna is "a recurrent expression of the fascism which is abhorred by all cultures", and the country's imams have been ordered to denounce the film.[62]

In Egypt, Foreign minister referred to Wilders' film as "a humiliation" to Islam, calling it "nothing less than repugnant," and stating that "Egypt rejects any offence or denigration of Islam and its prophet."[63][64]

President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan called on Muslims to "challenge those who insult" Muhammad, and asked for "a binding international charter" for the respect of religious beliefs. al-Bashir continued: ""The offenses against our Arab and Islamic nations under the banner of freedom of expression are derogatory and defamatory and go against all human values."[63]

Asia edit

Central Asia edit

Murat Ali Jumanov, the Grand Mufti of Kyrgyzstan, denounced the film, saying that it defames Islam and the Koran. He urged Kyrgyzstan's Muslim population to counter the hostility of the film's release.[65]

South Asia edit

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh "condemned in the strongest terms" the release of Fitna. It said that "Islam is a faith of peace which preaches patience and understanding," and the film's "unwarranted and mindless release can have grave consequences."[66]

In an editorial for the independent English-language Bangladeshi newspaper Weekly Blitz, under the editorship of Salah Choudhury, there were many opinions expressed in condemnation of the Muslim world's response: "The Muslim world that is vocal and vociferous in its demands for censorship in the West is going through a reenergized paroxysm of anger and hate," the newspaper said, and asked "is it realistic to mandate that 100% of the world's population must be pro-Koran and pro-Muslim?" The editorial stated that Fitna's relative artistic or philosophical worth is irrelevant, and that its release is an issue of individual rights, freedom of speech, critical thinking, and the West's cultural inheritance of 3,000 years of civilization. The editorial continued to question Muslim countries' censorship and restriction of free speech, satirically saying that "we should ask them firmly yet politely exactly how they so effectively censor the existing hate speech, the rampant anti-Semitic and anti-West propaganda that fill their media, Mosques, schools and universities on an hourly basis, every day, almost without exclusion." The newspaper noted the hypocrisy of how Islam interacts with other religions, saying that Islam has "such unrivaled respect and such unprejudiced consideration for Christianity, Judaism and the rest of the world's religious cultures and beliefs." It notes that anti-government, pro-democratic, and "moderate or revolutionary speech and actions within their societies" are censored, and that multiculturalism, freedom of religion, and "unqualified personal expression" is prohibited.[67]

Pakistan called for a discussion of the film at the next Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) summit.[68] According to the APP, the country's official news agency, the Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi condemned Fitna as being anti-Islamic. He said that the film was part of a series of incitingly discriminatory actions against Islam, made by the Western media. Quereshi said that the Pakistani government, and its people, are highly sensitive towards such actions made in the name of freedom of expression.[69] Outside the Karachi Press Club, an effigy of Wilders, and the Dutch flag, was burned in a protest.[70]

In a speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 1 April, the ambassador and permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Masood Khan, said that the film was a "blatant provocation," had "distorted the message of the Holy Qur'an," was xenophobic and religiously intolerant. He called for the UNHRC to do more than condemn or adopt resolutions.[71] As such, a Pakistani-sponsored United Nations resolution calling for the monitoring of "abuse of the right of freedom of expression" was successfully passed. The measure was accepted after achieving the required number of votes from Islamic countries, while European countries and Canada abstained. On behalf of the OIC, Khan said that the resolution will require people to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly.[72] This drew criticism from Reporters Without Borders, whose press statement read:

The growing influence of Organisation of the Islamic Conference member states within the Human Rights Council is disturbing. All of the council's decisions are nowadays determined by the interests of the Muslim countries or powerful states such as China or Russia that know how to surround themselves with allies.[73]

The secretary-general of the OIC, Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, spoke of helping a co-ordinated strategy made by the Ummah, the diaspora of Muslims living in non-Muslim countries, to combat a campaign of defamaing Islam in the West.[69] İhsanoğlu had previously condemned the film as "causing insult to the sentiments of more than 1.3 billion Muslims in the world," and that it was "a deliberate act of discrimination against Muslims" that would "threaten the security and stability of the world."[63][74][75]

On 6 April 2008, five thousand members of the Jamaat-e-Islami political party held a demonstration in Karachi, in protest against both Wilders' film and the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons. The leader of the political party stated that "such shameful acts can never be tolerated in the name of freedom of expression or press," and asserted that anyone who committed a crime of provoking Muslims should be declared "terrorists".[76][77]

On 3 May 2008, around 5000 Muslims gathered in Karachi, Pakistan in a protest against Wilder's film, chanting "Death to the blasphemer" and burned an effigy of Wilders. In Afghanistan, the Taliban murdered two Dutch soldiers in retaliation for the film.[78]

Southeast Asia edit

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia banned Wilders from entering the country, and prohibited the film from being broadcast.[79] About 50 members of a hardline Muslim group demonstrated at the Dutch embassy in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, throwing eggs and water bottles to the embassy compound.[80] Protesters held signs saying "Death Sentence for Humiliating Islam", amid images of guns aimed at his head,[81] and "Kill Geert Wilders".[82] Indonesia blocked access to YouTube, after its demand that copies of the film be removed from YouTube servers was not implemented.[83] The ban was lifted on April 11, following protests and allegations of censorship from users, with Indonesian communications minister Muhammad Nuh apologising for “the inconvenience caused”.[84] Internet Service Providers said that they would instead try to block access to individual pages carrying Fitna.[85]

On April 2, a Dutch consulate in the Indonesian city of Medan was the scene of a student protest. The Dutch national flag was torn from its pillar and burned,[86] and about 50 students broke through the consulate gates.[87]

In a letter to the state-owned Indonesian news agency Antara, Dutch ambassador Nikolaos van Dam said how Dutch society is one of peaceful co-existence, with respect for the law, which guarantees safety and freedom of speech and freedom of religion. He said that Holland has a tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility, and that offending others is not part of that tradition; he called for everyone else to act in a similar spirit. Van Dam also expressed his government's desire to remain in open contact with everyone who wishes peaceful dialogue, to build a society "more firmly grounded in mutual understanding and respect."[88]

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a member of the Cabinet of Malaysia government, urged Muslim intellectuals and youths to "take advantage of their resourcefulness and skills which they had used against the establishment, this time to defend Islam" through the internet;[89] a reference to when hackers defaced a governmental webpage in protest of a proposed ban on pornography.[90] The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, an opposition policial party, delivered a letter to the Dutch embassy warning that the film would "invite vengeance", and, along with former president Mahathir bin Mohamad, called for a worldwide Muslim boycott of Dutch goods.[91] Bin Mohamad said: "If the world's 1.3 billion Muslims unite and say they won't buy, then it [the boycott] will be effective."[92] The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia, the Consultative Council, and the Muslim Restaurants Association of Malaysia released a joint statement referring to Fitna as having insulted the Koran, and called on Muslims to boycott Dutch goods.[89] Malay supermarket Mydin has marked Dutch goods in red, indicating their country of origin.[93]

There was a demonstration outside the Dutch embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 4 April 2008, attended by approximately fifty members of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party. Slogans such as "Long live Islam" and "Crush the Netherlands" were shouted. A leader of the political party said: "He wants to insult Islam, insult our prophet, insult our Quran," and called for a fatwa ordering Wilders' death. The Dutch ambassador's response was: "The call for the death of Mr Wilders is a very emotional one, which in no way can be justified."[94]

Singapore issued a statement strongly condemning the film, with deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng saying: "Freedom of expression does not give anyone the licence to insult another's religion or race."[92]

West Asia edit

The Bahrain News Agency, the government-operated news agency for Bahrain, released a statement regarding the film. Through the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the government referred to Wilders as slanderous, and that Fitna was part of "the escalating hostility and unjust war waged from time to time against Islam." The Supreme Council called for "peaceful protests that reflect the civilized aspect of Islam," and recommended dialogue with the West to "spread the true tenets of Islam and shed light on the life and precepts of prophet Mohammed." The Supreme Council also called for Islamic countries and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to push for a United Nations resolution to criminalise blasphemy against Islam, "for the sake of global peace and harmony".[95]

Mohammad Ali Hosseini, a spokesman for Iran's ministry of foreign affairs said Fitna was "heinous", blasphemous, and that its release "is indicative of the continuation of the evilness and deep vengeance such Western nationals have against Islam and Muslims."[96] Iran's government spokesperson, Gholam-Hossein Elham, said that "The new wave of the fight against Islam and promoting Islamophobia, which was started by the U.S., has so far opposite effects in the world of Islam as well as other parts of the globe."[97] Elham stated that the governments 'of the countries where the anti-Islamic moves have been made' would, in future, prevent any further actions against Islam, saying that 'insults against the holy prophet of Islam and the divine religion were against the principles of freedom of expression'.[97] In Tehran, approximately seventy members of the paramilitary force Basij protested outside the Dutch embassy. They chanted slogans such as "Down with USA", "Down with Israel", "Dutch Ambassador to Iran Should Be Expelled", and called for the closure of Royal Dutch Shell and Philips. A spokesperson for the protesters said that the release of the film was a ploy by imperialists to harm Muslim countries, insult Muhammad, and stage a Crusade, adding: "We will never remain silent in the face of ploys by domestic or foreign enemies.[98][99] During a sermon on 4 April, broadcast on Iranian state radio, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami accused the "Zionist entity" of Fitna's making and release. He said: "Behind these satanic acts can be found the oppressive powers and the Zionist regime." Of Wilders, Khatami said: "This poor Dutch deputy has made 40 trips to Israel over the past 25 years." Khatami concluded that "we see the hand of the Zionist regime behind these satanic acts and we cry 'death to Israel'." He stated that Fitna and the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons were a reaction against the "blossoming of Islam," and that "these films and caricatures are disseminated under the pretext of freedom of information in Europe. This is a great lie of Western liberal democracy, because anyone who speaks out against the official version of the Holocaust is jailed," referring to Holocaust denial.[100] Khatami spoke of a Europe actively engaged in defaming Islam, saying that "there is a catchy disease spreading in Europe today, whose victims feel obliged to insult Islam and to fight against the Muslims," mentioning the conversion of Magdi Allam from Islam to Catholicism as further proof of his statements. He claimed that European "plans" that had been "devised for hundreds of years have borne absolutely no fruit, which is the reason why they have begun conducting such wretched moves." Khatami said that "such moves are made in Europe under the cover of freedom of expression prove that such a freedom does not exist there, since as soon as an intellectual begins talking about the Holocaust, they put him to trial, condemn his move, and imprison him." He claimed that Islam in the Netherlands is increasing, saying that "the Dutch have also bought a large number of electronic versions of Qur'an in their own language and a large number of people in Holland have openly announced they have converted to Islam."[101]

53 parliamentarians of Jordan have signed a petition, calling on Prime Minister Nader Dahabi to expel the Dutch ambassador and sever all diplomatic ties with Holland.[102][103] Jordan also summoned Wilders to court, as Fitna was deemed to incite hatred.[104][105]

The Dutch ambassador of Qatar said that: "In Holland, we have full freedom of expression. There is absolutely no censorship. People are expected to behave responsibly and those who cross the limits will be accountable for their actions."[106]

The Saudi Arabian embassy in The Hague called the film provocative and "full of errors", that could ultimately lead to hatred of Muslims.[107]

The Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey condemned the film as being 'incompatible with freedom of speech and thought', saying that it "aimed to portray Muslims as potential terrorists and to gradually exclude them from the international community." The Directorate said that "Islam is unfortunately face-to-face with a new 'fitna' due to the film, which promotes discrimination, hatred and violence." It continued to say that the film's objective was to create worldwide prejudice against Islam, and that "it is a serious indication of irresponsibility that in the film negative implications are directed at Muslim religious scholars, who never refrain from sharing their knowledge on religion with the Dutch government." The Directorate said that followers of other religions also did not accept the notion that terrorism is associated with Muslims, and that "this is an auspicious development for restoring peace among different cultures in the world."[108]

United Arab Emirates Foreign minister, Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, condemned the film as being critical and insulting to Muhammad.[109]

The Yemeni parliament condemned the film, calling it inflammatory, discriminatory towards Muslims, and promoting religious violence and hatred, whilst stressing the need to respect all religions, cultures, and civilizations without prejudice.[110]

Europe edit

In Denmark, Kurt Westergaard, the cartoonist from one of the Jyllands-Posten cartoons of Muhammed, has expressed concerns because his cartoon is used in the film without his permission, a violation of copyright.[111] The Danish Union of Journalists has said it will file a lawsuit on Westergaard's behalf as he is still in hiding from the death threats against him.[112] Westergaard says his cartoon was aimed against Islamic terrorists, not against Muslims.[113] Similarly Dutch director Rob Muntz announced to file a lawsuit because of the uncredited use of his interview with Theo van Gogh.[114] Westergaard drew a new cartoon showing Geert Wilders with a bomb on his head and a sign saying "Danger! Freedom of expression".[115]

The Norwegian government (Labour Party) sharply distanced itself from the movie.[116] Secretary of state Raymond Johansen from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement to the newspaper Dagsavisen that "Wilders attempts to promote a content which contributes to hatred and suspicion. I profoundly disagree with the content, and I sharply distance myself from it."[117] Per-Willy Amundsen, Spokesperson on Immigration Issues of the opposition Progress Party, however found the film largely correct, and challenged Johansen to present what that was false about it.[118]

United Kingdom: Foreign Minister David Miliband announced his commitment to the “European values of freedom of speech” but said “in each of our countries” there are legal checks to ensure speech could not incite religious or racial hatred.[119]

Oceania edit

Australian Minister for foreign affairs, Stephen Smith, "deplored" the film's release, saying that it is "an obvious attempt to generate discord between faith communities," and accused it of inciting racial hatred.[120]

South America edit

Suriname: With 22% of its population being Muslim. Suriname has the highest Islamic population by percentage in the New World. The Surinamese agreement of Muslims launched a statement which said: "We regret the fact that the Dutch MP Geert wilders abuses feelings of fear and ignorance across the white Dutch population by insulting en bashing the Islam systematically....His latest provocation (the film Fitna) is an insult to the Islam and its 1,3 billion followers across the world".[121]

International organizations edit

After the release of the film, a number of international organizations released statements or otherwise responded to the film. United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated on March 28, 2008 that

I condemn, in the strongest terms, the airing of Geert Wilders’ offensively anti-Islamic film. There is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence. The right of free expression is not at stake here. I acknowledge the efforts of the Government of the Netherlands to stop the broadcast of this film, and appeal for calm to those understandably offended by it. Freedom must always be accompanied by social responsibility.[122][123]

In its statement, The Muslim World League said that Fitna's release was "[an] offensive act that aims to spread discord between people."[64] The European Union's Slovenian president repudiated the film, commenting that it served “no other purpose than inflaming hatred”. The EU foreign ministers also condemned the film. “The film equates Islam with violence and this view is sharply rejected”, the ministers said in their statement, released after a meeting in Brdo, Slovenia.[124] Europe's highest human rights authority, the Strasbourg based Council of Europe, called the film “a distasteful manipulation which exploits ignorance, prejudice and fear”.[125]

Lengthier responses were released by the Arab European League and the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World.

Union of NGOs of the Islamic World edit

The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW) issued a press release, stating that the film "heavily included insults to the Holy Qur’an and to the Islamic values." The UNIW said that distribution of such Islamophobic material, as well as other forms of Islamophobia such as the theatrical interpretation of Salman Rushdie's novel, The Satanic Verses, and the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons, should be banned in Europe. It said that "humiliation of the values that are held in high esteem by people cannot be justified by the freedom of speech" or artistic expression. It stated that "freedom of speech and disseminating ideas do not amount to the right to insult," and that no-one's "sacred values" should be humiliated. It went on to call for European states to "not give permission to such publications, broadcasts and policies," and asked that they "take the necessary regulations that shall regard the Islamophobic acts and incidents as a crime." The UNIW likened Islamophobia to antisemitism and its legal status in Europe, saying that if Islamophobia and Islamophobic publications are not made illegal, "marginal extremist-racist groups that are after discrimination may be strengthened." It said that Islamophobia is an infringement of human rights, and "a perilous discrimination." It said:

The reason why Muslim public opinion have not overreacted to these aforementioned broadcasts, policies and events is that they have a common sense stemming from their belief. Nevertheless, it does not mean that they shall never react. It should be ensured that Muslim public opinion react to these all the Anti-Islamist broadcasts, policies and acts through peaceful means.

The UNIW called on Europe "to use their common sense and heed, and to revise their attitudes in order to build social peace." [126][127]

Arab European League edit

The Arab European League released a short film, Al Mouftinoun, in response to Fitna. It was released March 28 on YouTube, one day after Fitna was released. Al Mouftinoun criticizes Fitna's director Wilders as a racist. The film was created by the AEL because they find that Muslims are being marginalised and discriminated against by Fitna.[128]

On their website, the AEL claimed the following:

The announced movie of Wilders and the Danish cartoons are part of an agenda to provoke Muslims in Europe and around the world under the flag of freedom of expression. There can be no doubt about their intentions. Defending their statements with the right of expression is deceptive. There should be a debate on the content. The right-wing movement should not be underestimated. They represent a large part of European society. They are advocating for the eradication of equality as a constitutional law. And more often advocating for constriction of the rights of ethnic minorities. The right-wing movement in the Netherlands and in Europe in general is not compatible with its own "Western values."[129]

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External links edit

  'Blaspheming' movie should be prohibited says Iran government at Wikinews

January 01, 1970
international, reactions, fitna, international, reaction, fitna, consisted, condemnation, from, muslims, several, fatwa, against, geert, wilders, attempts, many, islamic, countries, censor, film, dutch, government, immediately, distanced, itself, from, film, s. The international reaction to Fitna consisted of condemnation from Muslims several fatwa against Geert Wilders and attempts by many Islamic countries to censor the film The Dutch government immediately distanced itself from the film Several Muslim organizations and political parties organized boycotts against Dutch products Contents 1 Prior to the release 1 1 In the Netherlands 1 2 Other reactions 1 2 1 Network Solutions website suspension 2 After the release 2 1 In the Netherlands 2 2 Africa 2 3 Asia 2 3 1 Central Asia 2 3 2 South Asia 2 3 3 Southeast Asia 2 3 4 West Asia 2 4 Europe 2 5 Oceania 2 6 South America 2 7 International organizations 2 7 1 Union of NGOs of the Islamic World 2 7 2 Arab European League 3 References 4 External linksPrior to the release editIt was feared that the film would lead to violent demonstrations by Muslims much like the organized protests against the Jyllands Posten Muhammad cartoons that were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten in 2005 1 The Dutch counter terrorism agency raised its terror risk level from limited to substantial noting Islamist death threats against Wilders and calls to attack Dutch troops 2 Previous violence included the burning of the Danish embassy in Syria and other acts of violence around the world including the murder of a Catholic nun 3 In the Netherlands edit The movie was first mentioned in the Dutch media on November 27 2007 The Dutch government almost immediately expressed great concern about the film release 4 It made evacuation plans available to all its consulates and embassies worldwide and tightened security measures around military installations abroad 5 The Prime minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende worried about possible repercussions for Dutch citizens and economic interests 6 In response Wilders accused Balkenende of capitulating to Islam 7 Wilders had been warned by Dutch National Counterterrorism Co ordinator Tjibbe Joustra that his film may lead to reactions that endanger public order security and the economy 8 The publication of the film was investigated by the Dutch Ministry of Justice to find out whether the release of the film could be prevented but this could not be done citation needed In an opinion poll 54 of Dutch people still believed that the film should be released despite any possible negative effects 9 On March 6 2008 the Dutch government raised its national risk level of a terrorist attack from the status limited to substantial because of concerns that Muslim terrorists would launch attacks against European targets using the film as justification 10 11 A demonstration against the release of the film occurred in Dam Square in Amsterdam on 22 March 2008 12 In response to concerns Dutch broadcaster Radio Netherlands Worldwide created a multi language website to detail the film the surrounding controversy its creator and the nation of its origin 13 The Dutch newspaper De Pers printed a reconstruction of how the concerns came about and who was responsible for them 14 A large advertisement was placed on the front page of de Volkskrant stating that if Wilders had said the things he has said about Muslims about Jews he would have been prosecuted for antisemitism 15 The advertisement was endorsed by the Jewish organisations Stichting de Initiavieven and Een Ander Joods Geluid Other reactions edit On 7 April 2008 Indonesia blocked access to YouTube and a number of other websites such as MySpace and Multiply Minister of Menkon Info Muhammad Nuh passed a bill that forced 146 ISP s in Indonesia to block access to YouTube on Monday Kompas confirmed that the reason for the block was YouTube s refusal to remove Fitna from their servers 16 The block has now been removed and the foreign relation minister has apologised to the people for any inconvenience Also it banned in Malaysia due to its Islamic content and violent nature 17 The EU alerted its diplomatic missions around the world to expect a reaction to the release of the film 18 NATO said it feared that the consequences of Fitna would affect the safety of troops in Afghanistan 19 Indeed Zabihullah Mujahid stressed that the Taliban would increase their attacks on Dutch military and humanitarian peacekeepers in Afghanistan if the film were released 20 President Nicolas Sarkozy declared that France would provide the support to the Netherlands in the event of international problems 21 Iran threatened to review its diplomatic stance with the Netherlands if the film was aired 22 Public protests occurred in Kabul Afghanistan 23 Egypt said it was closely monitoring the situation 24 In February 2008 Pakistan internally banned YouTube for several days due to a video clip one report claimed to be a trailer for Fitna 25 the ban was lifted a few days later 26 As a result of the block Pakistan accidentally caused YouTube to be unavailable worldwide for two hours 27 28 29 The Grand Mufti of Syria Ahmad Badr al Din said that if Geert Wilders showed the image of a burning Qur an in his film the Dutch people will be held responsible and possible attacks against Western public interests would not be not out of the question 30 Wilders is the subject of a fatwa associated with Al Qaeda calling upon Muslims to assassinate him in the name of Islam 31 32 33 Network Solutions website suspension edit On 5 March 2008 a preliminary version of the movie s official website fitnathemovie com went online 34 35 The only page on the site consisted of a picture of the Qur an accompanied by the text Geert Wilders presents Fitna and Coming soon On 22 March the hosting provider of the website Network Solutions replaced the page with a message stating that the company is investigating whether the site s content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy and that Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation 36 37 38 On March 24 Network Solutions issued a press release saying the company asked Wilders for a copy of the film to review to gauge compliance with the Acceptable Use Policy and it was only after they received no response from Wilders that they suspended the website 39 40 Wilders responded saying he had other options available and that his film would be made public before 1 April 41 The shutdown was followed by extensive criticism of Network Solutions alleged hypocrisy in hosting the domain of Hezbollah an entity that the United States and the Netherlands along with four other countries designate as a terrorist organization 42 43 44 On March 26 Network Solutions shut down the hizbollah org domain as well 37 After the release editThe reaction was mild in comparison with what was expected with some Muslim delegates describing it as not as jarring as anticipated saying they were extremely relieved 45 46 A worldwide violent reaction did not materialise in stark contrast with threats made by Islamic leaders in the months before the release of the film 47 48 Death threats did occur against Wilders and the company that hosted the film citation needed In the Netherlands edit In a televised reaction following the release Jan Peter Balkenende Prime Minister of the Netherlands gave his reaction on behalf of the Dutch government 49 Amongst other things it stated 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 49 Dutch parliamentarians of the largest political parties Pieter van Geel CDA Mariette Hamer PvdA and Mark Rutte VVD stated that it was sad that the film did not present any solutions to current problems in the Dutch society integration of Muslim immigrants and Muslim extremism and invited Mr Wilders to discuss possible solutions in the parliament 50 In a later parliamentary debate to discuss Balkenende s televised reaction they expressed further opinions calling the film cunningly made with evil intentions CDA a message of fear beyond compare PvDA and paranoid SP Wilders was described as a political pyromaniac VVD and a fearful man D66 51 According to Der Spiegel a speaker for the Muslim organization Contactorgaan Moslims en Overheid CMO Yusuf Altuntas said that Wilders is obviously looking to push the limits but he resists crossing them For instance in the film a ripping sound overlaid with imagery of the Qur an is said to be the ripping of a page from the phone book and thunder sounds are replacing what might otherwise be perceived as bomb explosion sounds The Arabic expert Leo Kwarten on the other hand said that these subtleties may however be lost in the Arabic world 52 The Centraal Joods Overleg Central Jewish Committee released a statement on March 28 2008 condemning the film for reinforcing prejudices by implying that all Muslims are terrorists The Committee said that the portrayal of Muslims in this manner was counterproductive and that the Dutch Jewish community along with the Dutch Muslim community and all of Dutch society has a duty to combat all religious based terrorism and to protect everyone against those who wish to overthrow democracy or promote religious hatred 53 54 Politician and former Muslim Ehsan Jami had intended to release an animated cartoon entitled The Life of Mohammed on April 20 2008 55 The film critical of Islam and Muhammad was to depict Muhammad as a sexual pervert for the consummation of his marriage to Aisha when she was nine or ten years old at the time In one clip Muhammad is shown with an erection taking the girl to a mosque adorned with a Nazi swastika in preparation of her deflowering 56 Following calls from the Minister of Justice Ernst Hirsch Ballin to not increase tension in society Jami decided against its release He spoke of his fears that the Dutch police would be unable to adequately protect his safety and of the possibility of a fatwa calling for his death being issued by Iran 57 58 The Dutch Islamic Federation petitioned a judge for a judgement on Geert Wilders on allegations of hate speech law violations 59 Wilders was found not guilty of spreading hate 60 In November 2008 a pamphlet that was distributed to children aged 10 12 years compared Fitna to Mein Kampf stating that Geert Wilders film Fitna and Adolf Hitler s Mein Kampf are based upon one sided points of view Fortunately there are also other books and plays that on the contrary show respect for people with other ideas or faiths or that look different 61 Africa edit In Algeria the Minister for Religious Affairs said that Fitna is a recurrent expression of the fascism which is abhorred by all cultures and the country s imams have been ordered to denounce the film 62 In Egypt Foreign minister referred to Wilders film as a humiliation to Islam calling it nothing less than repugnant and stating that Egypt rejects any offence or denigration of Islam and its prophet 63 64 President Omar al Bashir of Sudan called on Muslims to challenge those who insult Muhammad and asked for a binding international charter for the respect of religious beliefs al Bashir continued The offenses against our Arab and Islamic nations under the banner of freedom of expression are derogatory and defamatory and go against all human values 63 Asia edit Central Asia edit Murat Ali Jumanov the Grand Mufti of Kyrgyzstan denounced the film saying that it defames Islam and the Koran He urged Kyrgyzstan s Muslim population to counter the hostility of the film s release 65 South Asia edit The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh condemned in the strongest terms the release of Fitna It said that Islam is a faith of peace which preaches patience and understanding and the film s unwarranted and mindless release can have grave consequences 66 In an editorial for the independent English language Bangladeshi newspaper Weekly Blitz under the editorship of Salah Choudhury there were many opinions expressed in condemnation of the Muslim world s response The Muslim world that is vocal and vociferous in its demands for censorship in the West is going through a reenergized paroxysm of anger and hate the newspaper said and asked is it realistic to mandate that 100 of the world s population must be pro Koran and pro Muslim The editorial stated that Fitna s relative artistic or philosophical worth is irrelevant and that its release is an issue of individual rights freedom of speech critical thinking and the West s cultural inheritance of 3 000 years of civilization The editorial continued to question Muslim countries censorship and restriction of free speech satirically saying that we should ask them firmly yet politely exactly how they so effectively censor the existing hate speech the rampant anti Semitic and anti West propaganda that fill their media Mosques schools and universities on an hourly basis every day almost without exclusion The newspaper noted the hypocrisy of how Islam interacts with other religions saying that Islam has such unrivaled respect and such unprejudiced consideration for Christianity Judaism and the rest of the world s religious cultures and beliefs It notes that anti government pro democratic and moderate or revolutionary speech and actions within their societies are censored and that multiculturalism freedom of religion and unqualified personal expression is prohibited 67 Pakistan called for a discussion of the film at the next Organisation of the Islamic Conference OIC summit 68 According to the APP the country s official news agency the Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi condemned Fitna as being anti Islamic He said that the film was part of a series of incitingly discriminatory actions against Islam made by the Western media Quereshi said that the Pakistani government and its people are highly sensitive towards such actions made in the name of freedom of expression 69 Outside the Karachi Press Club an effigy of Wilders and the Dutch flag was burned in a protest 70 In a speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council UNHRC on 1 April the ambassador and permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Masood Khan said that the film was a blatant provocation had distorted the message of the Holy Qur an was xenophobic and religiously intolerant He called for the UNHRC to do more than condemn or adopt resolutions 71 As such a Pakistani sponsored United Nations resolution calling for the monitoring of abuse of the right of freedom of expression was successfully passed The measure was accepted after achieving the required number of votes from Islamic countries while European countries and Canada abstained On behalf of the OIC Khan said that the resolution will require people to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly 72 This drew criticism from Reporters Without Borders whose press statement read The growing influence of Organisation of the Islamic Conference member states within the Human Rights Council is disturbing All of the council s decisions are nowadays determined by the interests of the Muslim countries or powerful states such as China or Russia that know how to surround themselves with allies 73 The secretary general of the OIC Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu spoke of helping a co ordinated strategy made by the Ummah the diaspora of Muslims living in non Muslim countries to combat a campaign of defamaing Islam in the West 69 Ihsanoglu had previously condemned the film as causing insult to the sentiments of more than 1 3 billion Muslims in the world and that it was a deliberate act of discrimination against Muslims that would threaten the security and stability of the world 63 74 75 On 6 April 2008 five thousand members of the Jamaat e Islami political party held a demonstration in Karachi in protest against both Wilders film and the Jyllands Posten Muhammad cartoons The leader of the political party stated that such shameful acts can never be tolerated in the name of freedom of expression or press and asserted that anyone who committed a crime of provoking Muslims should be declared terrorists 76 77 On 3 May 2008 around 5000 Muslims gathered in Karachi Pakistan in a protest against Wilder s film chanting Death to the blasphemer and burned an effigy of Wilders In Afghanistan the Taliban murdered two Dutch soldiers in retaliation for the film 78 Southeast Asia edit President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia banned Wilders from entering the country and prohibited the film from being broadcast 79 About 50 members of a hardline Muslim group demonstrated at the Dutch embassy in the Indonesian capital Jakarta throwing eggs and water bottles to the embassy compound 80 Protesters held signs saying Death Sentence for Humiliating Islam amid images of guns aimed at his head 81 and Kill Geert Wilders 82 Indonesia blocked access to YouTube after its demand that copies of the film be removed from YouTube servers was not implemented 83 The ban was lifted on April 11 following protests and allegations of censorship from users with Indonesian communications minister Muhammad Nuh apologising for the inconvenience caused 84 Internet Service Providers said that they would instead try to block access to individual pages carrying Fitna 85 On April 2 a Dutch consulate in the Indonesian city of Medan was the scene of a student protest The Dutch national flag was torn from its pillar and burned 86 and about 50 students broke through the consulate gates 87 In a letter to the state owned Indonesian news agency Antara Dutch ambassador Nikolaos van Dam said how Dutch society is one of peaceful co existence with respect for the law which guarantees safety and freedom of speech and freedom of religion He said that Holland has a tradition of respect tolerance and responsibility and that offending others is not part of that tradition he called for everyone else to act in a similar spirit Van Dam also expressed his government s desire to remain in open contact with everyone who wishes peaceful dialogue to build a society more firmly grounded in mutual understanding and respect 88 Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a member of the Cabinet of Malaysia government urged Muslim intellectuals and youths to take advantage of their resourcefulness and skills which they had used against the establishment this time to defend Islam through the internet 89 a reference to when hackers defaced a governmental webpage in protest of a proposed ban on pornography 90 The Pan Malaysian Islamic Party an opposition policial party delivered a letter to the Dutch embassy warning that the film would invite vengeance and along with former president Mahathir bin Mohamad called for a worldwide Muslim boycott of Dutch goods 91 Bin Mohamad said If the world s 1 3 billion Muslims unite and say they won t buy then it the boycott will be effective 92 The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia the Consultative Council and the Muslim Restaurants Association of Malaysia released a joint statement referring to Fitna as having insulted the Koran and called on Muslims to boycott Dutch goods 89 Malay supermarket Mydin has marked Dutch goods in red indicating their country of origin 93 There was a demonstration outside the Dutch embassy in Kuala Lumpur on 4 April 2008 attended by approximately fifty members of the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party Slogans such as Long live Islam and Crush the Netherlands were shouted A leader of the political party said He wants to insult Islam insult our prophet insult our Quran and called for a fatwa ordering Wilders death The Dutch ambassador s response was The call for the death of Mr Wilders is a very emotional one which in no way can be justified 94 Singapore issued a statement strongly condemning the film with deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng saying Freedom of expression does not give anyone the licence to insult another s religion or race 92 West Asia edit The Bahrain News Agency the government operated news agency for Bahrain released a statement regarding the film Through the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs the government referred to Wilders as slanderous and that Fitna was part of the escalating hostility and unjust war waged from time to time against Islam The Supreme Council called for peaceful protests that reflect the civilized aspect of Islam and recommended dialogue with the West to spread the true tenets of Islam and shed light on the life and precepts of prophet Mohammed The Supreme Council also called for Islamic countries and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to push for a United Nations resolution to criminalise blasphemy against Islam for the sake of global peace and harmony 95 Mohammad Ali Hosseini a spokesman for Iran s ministry of foreign affairs said Fitna was heinous blasphemous and that its release is indicative of the continuation of the evilness and deep vengeance such Western nationals have against Islam and Muslims 96 Iran s government spokesperson Gholam Hossein Elham said that The new wave of the fight against Islam and promoting Islamophobia which was started by the U S has so far opposite effects in the world of Islam as well as other parts of the globe 97 Elham stated that the governments of the countries where the anti Islamic moves have been made would in future prevent any further actions against Islam saying that insults against the holy prophet of Islam and the divine religion were against the principles of freedom of expression 97 In Tehran approximately seventy members of the paramilitary force Basij protested outside the Dutch embassy They chanted slogans such as Down with USA Down with Israel Dutch Ambassador to Iran Should Be Expelled and called for the closure of Royal Dutch Shell and Philips A spokesperson for the protesters said that the release of the film was a ploy by imperialists to harm Muslim countries insult Muhammad and stage a Crusade adding We will never remain silent in the face of ploys by domestic or foreign enemies 98 99 During a sermon on 4 April broadcast on Iranian state radio Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami accused the Zionist entity of Fitna s making and release He said Behind these satanic acts can be found the oppressive powers and the Zionist regime Of Wilders Khatami said This poor Dutch deputy has made 40 trips to Israel over the past 25 years Khatami concluded that we see the hand of the Zionist regime behind these satanic acts and we cry death to Israel He stated that Fitna and the Jyllands Posten Muhammad cartoons were a reaction against the blossoming of Islam and that these films and caricatures are disseminated under the pretext of freedom of information in Europe This is a great lie of Western liberal democracy because anyone who speaks out against the official version of the Holocaust is jailed referring to Holocaust denial 100 Khatami spoke of a Europe actively engaged in defaming Islam saying that there is a catchy disease spreading in Europe today whose victims feel obliged to insult Islam and to fight against the Muslims mentioning the conversion of Magdi Allam from Islam to Catholicism as further proof of his statements He claimed that European plans that had been devised for hundreds of years have borne absolutely no fruit which is the reason why they have begun conducting such wretched moves Khatami said that such moves are made in Europe under the cover of freedom of expression prove that such a freedom does not exist there since as soon as an intellectual begins talking about the Holocaust they put him to trial condemn his move and imprison him He claimed that Islam in the Netherlands is increasing saying that the Dutch have also bought a large number of electronic versions of Qur an in their own language and a large number of people in Holland have openly announced they have converted to Islam 101 53 parliamentarians of Jordan have signed a petition calling on Prime Minister Nader Dahabi to expel the Dutch ambassador and sever all diplomatic ties with Holland 102 103 Jordan also summoned Wilders to court as Fitna was deemed to incite hatred 104 105 The Dutch ambassador of Qatar said that In Holland we have full freedom of expression There is absolutely no censorship People are expected to behave responsibly and those who cross the limits will be accountable for their actions 106 The Saudi Arabian embassy in The Hague called the film provocative and full of errors that could ultimately lead to hatred of Muslims 107 The Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey condemned the film as being incompatible with freedom of speech and thought saying that it aimed to portray Muslims as potential terrorists and to gradually exclude them from the international community The Directorate said that Islam is unfortunately face to face with a new fitna due to the film which promotes discrimination hatred and violence It continued to say that the film s objective was to create worldwide prejudice against Islam and that it is a serious indication of irresponsibility that in the film negative implications are directed at Muslim religious scholars who never refrain from sharing their knowledge on religion with the Dutch government The Directorate said that followers of other religions also did not accept the notion that terrorism is associated with Muslims and that this is an auspicious development for restoring peace among different cultures in the world 108 United Arab Emirates Foreign minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan condemned the film as being critical and insulting to Muhammad 109 The Yemeni parliament condemned the film calling it inflammatory discriminatory towards Muslims and promoting religious violence and hatred whilst stressing the need to respect all religions cultures and civilizations without prejudice 110 Europe edit In Denmark Kurt Westergaard the cartoonist from one of the Jyllands Posten cartoons of Muhammed has expressed concerns because his cartoon is used in the film without his permission a violation of copyright 111 The Danish Union of Journalists has said it will file a lawsuit on Westergaard s behalf as he is still in hiding from the death threats against him 112 Westergaard says his cartoon was aimed against Islamic terrorists not against Muslims 113 Similarly Dutch director Rob Muntz announced to file a lawsuit because of the uncredited use of his interview with Theo van Gogh 114 Westergaard drew a new cartoon showing Geert Wilders with a bomb on his head and a sign saying Danger Freedom of expression 115 The Norwegian government Labour Party sharply distanced itself from the movie 116 Secretary of state Raymond Johansen from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement to the newspaper Dagsavisen that Wilders attempts to promote a content which contributes to hatred and suspicion I profoundly disagree with the content and I sharply distance myself from it 117 Per Willy Amundsen Spokesperson on Immigration Issues of the opposition Progress Party however found the film largely correct and challenged Johansen to present what that was false about it 118 United Kingdom Foreign Minister David Miliband announced his commitment to the European values of freedom of speech but said in each of our countries there are legal checks to ensure speech could not incite religious or racial hatred 119 Oceania edit Australian Minister for foreign affairs Stephen Smith deplored the film s release saying that it is an obvious attempt to generate discord between faith communities and accused it of inciting racial hatred 120 South America edit Suriname With 22 of its population being Muslim Suriname has the highest Islamic population by percentage in the New World The Surinamese agreement of Muslims launched a statement which said We regret the fact that the Dutch MP Geert wilders abuses feelings of fear and ignorance across the white Dutch population by insulting en bashing the Islam systematically His latest provocation the film Fitna is an insult to the Islam and its 1 3 billion followers across the world 121 International organizations edit After the release of the film a number of international organizations released statements or otherwise responded to the film United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon stated on March 28 2008 that I condemn in the strongest terms the airing of Geert Wilders offensively anti Islamic film There is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence The right of free expression is not at stake here I acknowledge the efforts of the Government of the Netherlands to stop the broadcast of this film and appeal for calm to those understandably offended by it Freedom must always be accompanied by social responsibility 122 123 In its statement The Muslim World League said that Fitna s release was an offensive act that aims to spread discord between people 64 The European Union s Slovenian president repudiated the film commenting that it served no other purpose than inflaming hatred The EU foreign ministers also condemned the film The film equates Islam with violence and this view is sharply rejected the ministers said in their statement released after a meeting in Brdo Slovenia 124 Europe s highest human rights authority the Strasbourg based Council of Europe called the film a distasteful manipulation which exploits ignorance prejudice and fear 125 Lengthier responses were released by the Arab European League and the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World Union of NGOs of the Islamic World editThe Union of NGOs of the Islamic World UNIW issued a press release stating that the film heavily included insults to the Holy Qur an and to the Islamic values The UNIW said that distribution of such Islamophobic material as well as other forms of Islamophobia such as the theatrical interpretation of Salman Rushdie s novel The Satanic Verses and the Jyllands Posten Muhammad cartoons should be banned in Europe It said that humiliation of the values that are held in high esteem by people cannot be justified by the freedom of speech or artistic expression It stated that freedom of speech and disseminating ideas do not amount to the right to insult and that no one s sacred values should be humiliated It went on to call for European states to not give permission to such publications broadcasts and policies and asked that they take the necessary regulations that shall regard the Islamophobic acts and incidents as a crime The UNIW likened Islamophobia to antisemitism and its legal status in Europe saying that if Islamophobia and Islamophobic publications are not made illegal marginal extremist racist groups that are after discrimination may be strengthened It said that Islamophobia is an infringement of human rights and a perilous discrimination It said The reason why Muslim public opinion have not overreacted to these aforementioned broadcasts policies and events is that they have a common sense stemming from their belief Nevertheless it does not mean that they shall never react It should be ensured that Muslim public opinion react to these all the Anti Islamist broadcasts policies and acts through peaceful means The UNIW called on Europe to use their common sense and heed and to revise their attitudes in order to build social peace 126 127 Arab European League edit The Arab European League released a short film Al Mouftinoun in response to Fitna It was released March 28 on YouTube one day after Fitna was released Al Mouftinoun criticizes Fitna s director Wilders as a racist The film was created by the AEL because they find that Muslims are being marginalised and discriminated against by Fitna 128 On their website the AEL claimed the following The announced movie of Wilders and the Danish cartoons are part of an agenda to provoke Muslims in Europe and around the world under the flag of freedom of expression There can be no doubt about their intentions Defending their statements with the right of expression is deceptive There should be a debate on the content The right wing movement should not be underestimated They represent a large part of European society They are advocating for the eradication of equality as a constitutional law And more often advocating for constriction of the rights of ethnic minorities The right wing movement in the Netherlands and in Europe in general is not compatible with its own Western values 129 References edit Embassies burn in cartoon protest BBC 2006 02 04 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Thomasson Emma 2008 03 06 Dutch raise threat level ahead of anti Koran film Reuters Retrieved 2008 04 02 Caldwell Christopher 2008 01 26 In defence of the right to offend Financial Times Retrieved 2008 01 27 Jansen Paul 2007 11 27 Provocerende film Wilders De Telegraaf in Dutch Archived from the original on 2008 03 03 Retrieved 2008 03 22 Wilders and his film worry Dutch expats Radio Netherlands Worldwide 23 January 2008 dead link Tran Mark 2008 03 03 Dutch government could ban anti Islam film The Guardian London Retrieved 2008 03 08 Wilders Premier is beroepslafaard elsevier nl in Dutch 2008 02 23 Archived from the original on 2008 03 08 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Dutch MP warned over Islam film BBC News 2008 01 23 Retrieved 2008 03 31 Thomasson Emma 2008 03 05 Dutch want Koran film shown but fear reactions poll Reuters Retrieved 2008 03 31 Nederland vreest aanslagen wegens film Wilders hln be in Dutch 2008 03 06 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Dutch Raise Terror Threat Level After Film Stokes Muslim Hostility dw world de 2008 03 07 Retrieved 2008 03 09 Dutch protest against Islam film BBC 2008 03 22 Retrieved 2008 03 30 About Fitna The Movie Radio Netherlands Worldwide Archived from the original on 2008 03 26 Retrieved 2008 03 24 Reconstructie van Fitna gate Dutch De Pers 2008 03 03 Archived from the original on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Advertentie tegen Wilders op voorpagina Volkskrant NRC Handelsblad in Dutch 2008 03 17 Archived from the original on 2008 03 19 Retrieved 2008 03 28 Indonesia Blokir YouTube in Indonesian Kompas Indonesia 2008 04 07 Retrieved 2008 04 07 permanent dead link The film Asianews 2008 04 02 EU braces for outrage over Dutch lawmaker s anti Koran film The Associated Press 2008 03 05 Retrieved 2008 03 25 Nato fears over Dutch Islam film BBC 2008 03 03 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Taliban threatens attacks because of Wilders film Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau Expatica News 2008 02 28 Archived from the original on 2008 03 04 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Frankrijk belooft Nederland steun na Wilders film hln be in Dutch 2008 03 05 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Park Michael 2008 01 21 Iran Warns Netherlands Not to Air Controversial Anti Muslim Film Fox News Archived from the original on 2009 06 12 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Masood Ahmad 2008 03 22 Afghans chant death in cartoon protest Reuters Retrieved 2008 03 24 Egypt monitoring attacks on Islam ahead of Dutch TV film Agence France Presse 2008 02 22 Archived from the original on March 9 2008 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Pakistan blocks YouTube website BBC 2008 02 24 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Pakistan lifts the ban on YouTube BBC 2008 02 26 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Pakistan move knocked out YouTube CNN Associated Press 2008 02 05 Archived from the original on 2008 02 29 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Pakistan s YouTube ban briefly affected global access Agence France Presse Inquirer net 2008 02 26 Archived from the original on 2008 04 04 Retrieved 2008 03 27 YouTube Hijacking A RIPE NCC RIS case study RIPE 2008 02 28 Archived from the original on 2008 04 05 Retrieved 2008 03 31 Geert Wilders Fitna Movie Timeline FeceOnAir com Archived from the original on 2008 03 06 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Wilders death threats confirmed Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2008 02 27 Archived from the original on 2008 03 02 Retrieved 2008 03 28 Jihad tegen Wilders in Dutch De Telegraaf Netherlands 2008 02 27 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Al Qaeda Fatwa against MP Wilders NIS News Bulletin 2008 02 28 Archived from the original on 2008 03 02 Retrieved 2008 03 08 Dutch want Koran film shown but fear reactions poll Reuters 2008 03 05 Retrieved 2008 04 01 Wilders film website goes online Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2008 03 05 Archived from the original on 2008 03 09 Retrieved 2008 04 01 Web host suspends site planned for anti Koran film Yahoo News Reuters 2008 03 22 Archived from the original on March 24 2008 Retrieved 2008 03 24 a b Krebs Brian 2008 03 23 Network Solutions Pre Censors Anti Islam Site Washington Post Archived from the original on 2008 05 15 Retrieved 2008 03 24 Web site for Dutch anti Quran film suspended by host International Herald Tribune Associated Press 2008 03 22 Retrieved 2008 03 24 Network Solutions Statement Regarding the Suspension of Fitnathemovie com Network Solutions 2008 03 24 Archived from the original on 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Rosencrance Linda 2008 03 25 Network Solutions suspends anti Islamist film Web site Computerworld Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Network Solutions wants to see the film 26 March 2008 Retrieved 2008 03 26 Annual Report 2004 PDF Netherlands General intelligence and security service 2005 01 01 Retrieved 2008 03 25 Foreign Terrorist Organizations FTOs United States Department of State 2005 10 11 Retrieved 2006 07 16 Current List of Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations 14 Hizballah Party of God Krebs Brian 2008 03 23 Network Solutions Pre Censors Anti Islam Site Washington Post Archived from the original on 2008 05 15 Retrieved 2008 03 30 Sterling Toby 2008 03 27 Dutch Lawmaker Releases Anti Quran Film Associated Press Archived from the original on 2008 04 19 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Fitna within the law says Muslim group DutchNews nl 2008 03 27 Archived from the original on 2008 04 03 Retrieved 2008 03 27 First Reactions to Dutch Anti Quran Film Are Muted Fox News Channel 2008 03 27 Archived from the original on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Moderate response to anti Islam movie Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2008 03 28 Archived from the original on 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 03 30 a b Dutch Government s reaction to Wilders film Ministry of General Affairs 2008 03 27 Archived from the original on 2008 04 04 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Fitna is released how does the Netherlands and the world react Nova in Dutch NOS Vara 2008 03 27 Archived from the original on 2007 11 14 Retrieved 2008 03 27 Fel Kamerdebat over film Wilders in Dutch Archived from the original on 2008 04 03 Retrieved 2008 04 07 Traufetter Gerald 2008 03 27 Koranfeindliches Video veroffentlicht Protest gegen Rechtspopulist Wilders Der Spiegel in German Retrieved 2008 03 27 Verklaring Centraal Joods Overleg over de film FITNA in Dutch Centraal Joods Overleg the Netherlands 2008 03 28 Retrieved 2008 04 02 Dutch Jews louder than Muslims in condemning Fitna film Haaretz Israel 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 04 02 Jami ziet af van Mohammed tekenfilm De Telegraaf Netherlands 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Minister vraagt Jami af te zien van islamfilm in Dutch De Telegraaf Netherlands 2008 03 29 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Jami ziet af van animatiefilm tegen islam in Dutch De Volkskrant Netherlands 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Film Worse than Fitna Abandoned over Fatwa Fear NIS Netherlands 2008 04 02 Archived from the original on 2008 04 08 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Comiteau Lauren 2008 03 30 Dutch Shrug for Anti Muslim Film TIME Magazine Archived from the original on April 1 2008 Retrieved 2008 04 08 Judge clears Wilders of spreading hate expatica 2008 04 07 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 08 Wilders is Hitler Hudson New York 2008 11 03 Archived from the original on 2009 01 15 Retrieved 2008 11 05 Algerians join international outrage over Fitna film Magharebia 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 04 03 a b c Arabs Denounce Dutch Anti Islam Film Associated Press 2008 03 30 Archived from the original on 2013 01 24 Retrieved 2008 04 04 a b Blasted backlash Al Ahram 2008 03 30 Archived from the original on 2008 04 08 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Kyrgyz grand Mufti condemns anti Islam film Mathaba 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the posting of Dutch film on Holy Quran on the web Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2008 03 28 Archived from the original on 2007 04 26 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Sacks Leslie J 2008 04 03 FITNA Unveiled The Weekly Blitz Archived from the original on April 15 2008 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Pakistan summons Dutch ambassador Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2008 03 05 Archived from the original on 2008 03 08 Retrieved 2008 03 30 a b OIC Secretary General meets foreign minister commends Pakistan s role at OIC Associated Press of Pakistan 2008 04 01 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Dutch security raised in Pakistan after anti Islam film official Agence France Presse 2008 04 01 Archived from the original on 2008 04 18 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Pakistan strongly condemns Dutch dostabilitycumentary Associated Press of Pakistan 2008 04 02 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 03 West and Muslims Clash on Free Speech Associated Press 2008 04 02 Archived from the original on April 5 2008 Retrieved 2008 04 03 UN Human Rights Council turns special rapporteur on free expression into prosecutor Reporters Without Borders 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Muslims condemn Dutch lawmaker s film CNN Retrieved 2008 04 03 Statement by H E Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on the release of the blasphemous documentary film Fitna Organisation of the Islamic Conference 2008 03 28 Archived from the original on 2008 04 04 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Pakistanis protest over Danish cartoon Dutch film Reuters 2008 04 06 Retrieved 2008 04 06 Thousands demonstrate against Fitna in Karachi Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2008 04 06 Archived from the original on 2008 04 11 Retrieved 2008 04 06 TPakistan demo against Islam film Channel 4 News 2008 05 04 Retrieved 2008 05 04 Indonesia bans Dutch filmmaker warns against violent protest Agence France Presse 11 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 7 2008 Muslim hardliners in Indonesia rally over Dutch film Reuters 31 March 2008 Archived from the original on September 7 2008 Controversial cartoon cut from Dutch MP s film on Islam The Guardian London 1 April 2008 Dutch MP s film angers Indonesia BBC News 31 March 2008 Archived from the original on April 5 2008 Indonesia blocks YouTube to protest Islam film CNN 8 April 2008 Archived from the original on 24 November 2014 Indonesia apologizes for YouTube blockade Agence France Presse Philippine Daily Inquirer 11 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 4 2012 Indonesia says sorry for YouTube block Agence France Presse Sydney Morning Herald 13 April 2008 Archived from the original on May 20 2013 Indonesia seeks to block YouTube over anti Koran film CNN 2 April 2008 Archived from the original on December 3 2013 Dutch consulate damaged in Indonesia protests CNN 2 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 13 2008 Dutch government rejects the film Fitna Antara 2 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 7 2008 a b Boycott Dutch products say consumer groups The Star Malaysia 1 April 2008 Archived from the original on 10 April 2008 Indonesian ministry Web site hacked over porn ban Reuters 2008 03 28 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Malaysian Party Urges Dutch Boycott Associated Press 1 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 5 2008 a b Malaysia s Mahathir says Muslims annoyed by Dutch film Agence France Presse 29 March 2008 Archived from the original on May 11 2008 Malaysian supermarket chain marks Dutch products red to protest anti Islam film International Herald Tribune 1 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 12 2008 Muslim protestors protest against Dutch lawmaker for insulting Quran International Herald Tribune Associated Press 4 April 2008 Archived from the original on April 12 2008 SUPREME COUNCIL FOR ISLAMIC AFFAIRS CONDEMNS DEFAMATION OF ISLAM Bahrain News Agency 2008 04 03 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 04 Iran condemns heinous Dutch Koran film Reuters 2008 03 28 Retrieved 2008 04 03 a b Anti Islamic campaign has opposite effect spokesman Islamic Republic News Agency 2008 04 05 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 06 Basiji students protest anti Islam film Islamic Republic News Agency 2008 04 05 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 06 Iranian students protest outside Dutch embassy Agence France Presse 2008 04 05 Archived from the original on 2008 04 18 Retrieved 2008 04 06 Iran cleric says Israel behind anti Islam Dutch film Agence France Presse 2008 04 04 Archived from the original on 2008 04 18 Retrieved 2008 04 05 Major cleric Iran s 3 islands to remain Iranian for good Islamic Republic News Agency 2008 04 04 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 05 Jordan slams Dutch MP s Islam film Agence France Presse 2008 03 31 Archived from the original on 2008 04 18 Retrieved 2008 04 01 Jordanian MPs demand cutting ties with Netherlands to protest Dutch film International Herald Tribune 2008 03 30 Retrieved 2008 04 01 Jordan to prosecute Wilders on Fitna July 2008 Archived from the original on 2008 08 03 Retrieved 2008 08 28 DutchNews nl Wilders faces arrest by Jordan over Fitna Archived from the original on 2009 02 14 Retrieved 2009 02 14 K T Chacko 2008 04 02 Dutch MP may face charges over anti Islam film Gulf Times Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Mika Niclas 2008 03 28 Muslim nations condemn Dutch Koran film Reuters Retrieved 2008 04 03 Religious Affairs Directorate blasts anti Islam film Today s Zaman 2008 04 04 Archived from the original on 2008 06 05 Retrieved 2008 04 04 World leaders criticise Dutch anti Koran film The Sun Malaysia 2008 03 30 Archived from the original on 2008 04 13 Retrieved 2008 04 03 Fares Anam 2008 04 01 Anti Quran film deepens chasm between East and West Yemeni Observer Retrieved 2008 04 03 Journalistforbund hjaelper Westergaard Ritzau in Danish 2008 03 28 Archived from the original on 2008 04 03 Retrieved 2008 03 28 Moore Matthew Waterfield Bruno Clements Joan 2008 03 29 Danish cartoonist to sue Dutch MP over anti Islamic film The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 03 28 McLaughlin Kim 2008 03 26 Danish Prophet cartoonist says has no regrets Reuters Retrieved 2008 03 27 Tran Can 2008 03 28 After The Release of Fitna Wilders Faces Numerous Lawsuits Digital Journal Retrieved 2008 03 30 Peters J 2008 03 31 Westergaard tekent Wilders SpitsNieuws in Dutch Archived from the original on 2011 06 23 Retrieved 2008 04 01 Dalen Astrid March 29 2008 Wilders anti islamfilm fjernet i natt in Norwegian Oslo Norway Aftenposten Archived from the original online edition on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 03 29 Ogsa den norske regjeringen tar skarp avstand fra den anti islamske filmen Hanssen Sturla Smari Selmer Erik R March 29 2008 Norge tar avstand fra islamfilm in Norwegian Oslo Norway Dagsavisen Archived from the original online edition on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 03 29 Selmer Sturla Smari Hanssenerik R 29 March 2008 Norge tar avstand fra islamfilm Dagsavisen Archived from the original on 2008 03 31 Retrieved 2008 04 07 Theodoulou Michael 2008 03 28 Britain drawn into controversy over anti Islam video by Geert Wilders The Times London Retrieved 2008 04 01 Australia denounces anti Islam film The Age 2008 03 30 Archived from the original on 2008 04 03 Retrieved 2008 04 03 in Dutch http www nospang com index php option com content amp task view amp Itemid 23 amp id 5150 amp ccdate 6 4 2008 a href Template Cite news html title Template Cite news cite news a Missing or empty title help NO JUSTIFICATION FOR HATE SPEECH OR INCITEMENT SAYS SECRETARY GENERAL IN STRONG CONDEMNATION OF ANTI ISLAMIC FILM UN News Centre 2008 03 28 Retrieved 2008 04 02 Krauskopf Lewis 2008 03 28 U N s Ban condemns Dutch film as anti Islamic Reuters Retrieved 2008 03 28 EU foreign ministers condemn Dutch film on Islam EurActiv com 2008 03 31 Archived from the original on 2008 04 02 Retrieved 2008 03 31 ul Awwal Rabi 2008 03 29 Anti Islam film assailed widely dawn com Retrieved 2008 03 30 UNIW Press Release 2008 04 01 EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS MUST NOT GIVE COUNTENANCE TO ANTI ISLAMISM Union of NGOs of the Islamic World Archived from the original on 2011 07 28 Retrieved 2008 04 06 UNIW s Sadikoglu European states must not tolerate anti Islam activities Today s Zaman 2008 04 04 Archived from the original on 2008 04 17 Retrieved 2008 04 06 De Arabisch Europese Liga lanceert film in Dutch Arab European League Belgium 2008 03 28 Archived from the original on 2011 08 12 Retrieved 2008 03 29 AEL Blog about FitnaExternal links edit nbsp Blaspheming movie should be prohibited says Iran government at Wikinews Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title International reactions to Fitna amp oldid 1198483009, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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