Aussie who remembers Mahatir (not verified) — Sun, 06/22/2008 - 3:21pm

Mahatir always takes the opportunity to show people what a chip he has on his shoulder about the West generally. In the 1990s it was Australia, and Paul Keating quite correctly called him "recalcitrant", which means stubbornly refusing to change his (unacceptable) behaviour. Mahatir engendered enormous bad will towards Malaysia because of his unreasoning hostility toward Australia. This was despite the fact that Australia had protected Malaysia against both the communist insurgency and Konfrontasi from Indonesia. But then, gratitude was never a strong point with Mahatir, was it?

Mahatir presided over a long period of economic growth in Malaysia, based on crony capitalism - in other words, intelligent corruption. He had enough sense to keep religious fanatics in check, and understood that the only way that any Muslim country will make progress is by studying science and technology and applying principles of economics learned from the West. (It has to be from the West, because the Islamic world has contributed just about nothing to useful human learning for the past 700 years or so.) He certainly understands that for the benighted world of Islam to dig itself out of its hole, it needs to reopen the gates of ijtihad - independent critical thought.

Unfortunately the gates of ijtihad remain well and truly closed in most of the Islamic world. What the Dutch filmmaker criticised in his film was the fanaticism and EVIL of obscurantist (anti-intellectual, mediaeval, oppressive) Islam as practised in many countries which have supplied migrants to Europe. The behaviour of the fanatics concerned, in Europe, is totally incompatible with the key Western values of tolerance and respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities.

Mahatir can't get away from the chip on his shoulder of being, well, a Muslim. Islam in nearly all the world has equated to backwardness, intolerance and a tendency to resort to violence as the first reaction in the case of a disagreement, even with other Muslims. The behaviour of Muslims in the Middle East, even toward other Muslims, is a disgrace to the human race. Suicide bombers who blow up other Muslims, as well as anyone else. And what about the mindless violence of the supporters IN INDONESIA of that lunatic Abu Bakar Bashir, who set about to blow up and kill large numbers of people who they didn't even know??!!

Mahatir is pathetic. If Muslims boycott the Netherlands, or Denmark, or any other Western countries, that is their loss. Far better for Muslims to look at themselves in the mirror occasionally. Not a pretty sight .....

Good muslim (not verified) — Sat, 05/17/2008 - 10:40pm

Mahathir has a good point, if muslims unite they will be become the strongest nation on earth. That is why the US and european nations are so afraid of the muslim unity. Regardless of which nationality, they should start boycotting dutch and danish products. Stop purchasing petrol from Shell stations, or using dairy products from these countries.

There are many morons in europe, remember the Austrian who raped his own daughter. Wilders is just another european seeking cheap publicity.

The Reader (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 8:19am

Just like we can't put a control on Mr. Wilders' expression, we also can't control what Mr. Mahathir wants to say. I don't think that all Dutch people should be associated with Mr. Wilders (I do have good friends and relatives in the Netherlands). But if Mr. Wilders can say what he wants (through his film), and what he said has affected millions of people across the world, then it's natural to expect some reaction to that (and unfortunately "innocent" people might be associated with him). So instead of calling Mr. Mahathir and other Asian leaders stupid, have you all condemned Mr. Wilders for all the problems he created through his stupidity?

The Reader (not verified) — Tue, 04/01/2008 - 9:52am

We need to think wisely and more educatedly about Wilders' movie. First of all, Wilders' opinion does not represent dutch's people opinion. So, it means it does not sound right to target all dutch people and boycott Dutch products. Boycotting the product will create more problems as many people may loose jobs including perhaps muslim workers working in dutch companies.

Another thing is all muslims need to unite not to attack any dutchmen physically or boycotting but attack wrong image of islam and quran as potrayed by Wilder with ideas through academic ways or invite Wildrers for debate or dialog to reach a clear understanding about Islam. Room for dialog always open. Take this oportunity!!!

We need to learn from the previous tragedies in Denmark of Muhamad caricature and the speech delivered by the incumbent pope in a university in Germany which claim people's lives. Why do we so easly take people' lives?

Lastly, be an Instrument of peace

A. Anands (not verified) — Mon, 03/31/2008 - 7:50pm

The former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad and other muslims must start thinking and behave like informed people. The Dutch nation has not done anything wrong and can not answer for what an individual like Geert Wilders did. He must bear full responsibility over the release of the movie and the consequences of his action himself.