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RI warns of backlash against Dutch MP's film
Tony Hotland , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 03/15/2008 2:30 AM | Headlines
Indonesia has said the film Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders plans to release about the Koran could derail interfaith dialog and harm efforts toward global stability and peace.
The film, called Fitna (Slander), is said to depict Islam's holy text as a "fascist book" that "should be banned".
Wilders said he plans to release the 15-minute film on March 28 and has already said the Koran is like Adolf Hitler's best-seller Mein Kampf or My Struggle -- an autobiography and an exposition of Hitler's ideology.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo said Friday, "It is really inappropriate if (Wilders) presses on with his plan to release the film knowing it will offend Muslim communities".
"Indonesia has been active in promoting interfaith dialog.
"This film would serve as a new obstacle to the efforts that we all have initiated."
In 2006, rallies and rioting erupted against Danish interests in many Muslim countries after satirical cartoons appeared in a Danish newspaper and were later reprinted by European papers.
On Thursday, a group of Islamic, Christian and Catholic leaders in Indonesia issued a joint statement condemning and calling on the Dutch government to thwart the planned film release.
They said, if released, the film would hurt Muslims worldwide and create uncalled-for strife among communities.
Wilders has been warned of potential attacks on Dutch citizens and businesses worldwide if the film is broadcast, but the Dutch government has failed to convince him to reconsider.
There are around one million Muslims in the Netherlands, which has a total population of 16 million.
Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said late last month his government "fundamentally disagreed" with Wilders, but the country guaranteed freedom of expression.
Balkenende said, "We call on governments to uphold the principles of international law, such as the obligation it enshrines to protect foreign interests, nationals and businesses".
In 2004, filmmaker Theo van Gogh was killed by an extremist in Amsterdam after directing a television film accusing Islam of condoning violence against women.
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Wim Bruneel (not verified) — Thu, 03/27/2008 - 1:23am
Muslim people has to stop being so easly offended. Wilders is playing a game on a global scale, he's making a trap. By offending Muslims all over the whole world, Wilders wants them to start riotting and getting violent. So he can proove his point to the Western world that the Islam is a religion of violence and terror and it can't deal with freedom of expression, critical opinions and other Western values.
So please for this one time, play it smart and don't react emotional and show to western world who you really are!
Rudiantoro (not verified) — Sun, 03/16/2008 - 10:05am
Even the Dutch Prime minister has asked Wilders to reconsider showing the film , but he rightly said they have a right of expression . The Muslim world can complain in a polite human manor and press some charges through the UN , but not through violence in the streets . I have some problems with these violences, for why does it happens when a film or cartoon is shown and there is NO PROTESTS with waving flags and banners if there are SO MANY innocent fellow MUSLIMS are slaughtered in Iraq
on a daily basis. Something got to be wrong.
Jayamahe (not verified) — Sat, 03/15/2008 - 12:42pm
So this is what they call as freedom of expression again and again? I think MP Wilders is practicing his insanity. Insane human has to be contained in a mental hospital.
If let gone, of course we, Muslims, will react with unexpected degree of surprise against the Netherlands. Furthermore, Indonesians have bad history with the Dutch.