World Outrage of Anti-Quran Film

WORLD CAPITALS — The anti-Qur'an film posted on the Internet by a Dutch far-right lawmaker whipped Friday, March 28, a storm of criticism from all over the world.

The Dutch government spearheaded the diatribe against MP Greet Wilders, rejecting the content of his incendiary documentary, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"The film equates Islam with violence. We reject that interpretation," Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said in a statement in Dutch and English.

"We believe it serves no purpose other than to offend."

Wilders, the leader of the right-wing Freedom Party, released his anti-Qur'an film on a video-sharing website on Thursday, March 27.

The film, entitled "Fitna," an Arabic word for sedition or strife, contains scenes offending Qur'an, Islam and Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Balkende said the Dutch government "regrets" the release of the anti-Qur'an film.

"But feeling offended must never be used as an excuse for aggression and threats," he said.

The Dutch premier, however, said that his government felt heartened "by the initial restrained reaction by Dutch Muslim organizations".

The government announced that the public prosecutor's office was investigating Wilders' film to see if it broke any laws.

The government has unsuccessfully tried to convince to the right-wing lawmaker to abandon the film, fearing it would trigger protests in Netherlands and overseas and strain ties with Muslim countries.

Ignorance

Condemnations of Wilders's documentary poured from the four corners of the globe.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the airing of Geert Wilders' offensively anti-Islamic film," UN chief Ban Ki-Moon said in a statement.

"There is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence. The right of free speech is not at stake here."

The film sparked immediate anger from the European Union.

It condemned the movie, saying that it serves no other purpose than inflaming hatred.

Europe's top human rights authority, the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, called the film "a distasteful manipulation which exploits ignorance, prejudice and fear."

The film also triggered condemnation from several Muslim countries.

Morocco's Communications Minister Khalid Naciri said Wilders was "mentally retarded".

Iran said the 17-minute film showed Westerners were waging a "vendetta" against Islam, and warned of repercussions.

A Jordanian media coalition said they would take Wilders to court and launch a campaign to boycott Dutch products.

But Islamic leaders in The Netherlands called on Muslims in other countries not to over-react, urging them not to pay a heed to a "third-class" politician.

IslamOnline.net & News Agencies