Dutch Ready For Deadly Riots Ahead Of New Anti-Koran Film
Theo Van Gogh was murdered in the Netherlands for his film “Submission”, written by Ayan Hirsi Ali, which dealt with the topic of violence against women in Islamic societies.
Now, Dutch parliament member Geert Wilders is ready to release a short film that aims to show Islam’s holy book “is an inspiration for intolerance, murder and terror.”
From an article in WorldNetDaily:
Officials in the Netherlands, where tensions have been high since a Muslim murdered a filmmaker more than three years ago, are bracing for the release of a new movie by a controversial politician that aims to show Islam’s holy book “is an inspiration for intolerance, murder and terror.”
In 2004, filmmaker Theo Van Gogh was murdered by a Muslim avenging his film critical of Islam. Two years later, riots protesting the publication of cartoons about Islam’s prophet Muhammad left about 100 people dead.
Now, the Dutch government is warning of a 10-minute film to be released this month by parliament member Geert Wilders, who heads the right-wing Freedom Party, reports Agence France-Presse.
Yesterday, ahead of a news conference by Dutch officials, the country’s media reported the government has put together a secret document on how to handle reactions to the film.
Last week, Wilders discussed banning the Quran after the head of a group of ex-Muslims compared Islam’s prophet with al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
One year ago, Wilders called on Muslims to “tear out half the pages of the Koran and throw them away.”
Now, according to some observers, the new movie might feature Wilders burning or tearing up the Quran.
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende told reporters yesterday his government is prepared for any possible fallout, AFP reported. The Dutch leader said he couldn’t comment on Wilders’ film, because he had not seen it, but he emphasized his government would not censor it.
“The Netherlands has a tradition of freedom of expression and freedom of religion but also a tradition of mutual respect, and provocations do not fit into that. I call on everybody to take their individual responsibility,” he said, according to AFP.
Dutch media reported the government is preparing for a possible evacuation of its embassies and citizens from the Middle East. But Foreign Ministry spokesman Bart Rijs told AFP there were no special emergency measures in place at the moment.
“We always have scenarios for possible calamities at our embassies, consulates and other Dutch representations abroad. They are regularly updated,” he said.
Wilders told the Dutch magazine HP/De Tijd he’s not turning back.
“Now that everybody is already in a state (over the film), I see it as a confirmation that I should go ahead. I would not be worth a button if I were to capitulate now,” he said.
Wilders, who has received numerous death threats, has been under 24-hour protection since the murder of Van Gogh, who directed a controversial film written by Wilder’s former political ally, Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The film, “Submission,” centered on violence against women in Islamic societies.
Since then, the government of a nation proud of its liberal social attitudes has cut back on generous welfare programs to immigrants and made Dutch-language classes mandatory for newcomers.
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“but he emphasized his government would not censor it”, well, maybe they finally got their finger out of the (dike).
January 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pmKeep an eye on these guys…they’re the ghost of Christians’ future. Just watch and see what’s coming to the whole of Europe, and eventually the US if this problem is left unchecked.
When I was in Munich a few years ago, I met a bunch of Dutch college students who appreciated the United States’ foreign policy on terrorism and supported the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. They seemed to ‘get it’. Not so with the Germans I met. They all despised Bush (though I’m sure much of that has changed since Schroder left). Here’s hoping that the Dutch and the Germans turn the tide and restore their societies before they are eaten from within.
January 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pmMany of the Germans are Miserably brain dead and filled with the Evil America conspiracies…
January 20th, 2008 at 8:39 pmjim;
January 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pmProbably displaced or projected guilt; the whole nation, and its constitution, are still orbiting the Holocaust.