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Muslims protest film for second day in Indonesia
The Associated Press , Jakarta | Tue, 04/01/2008 2:47 PM | Headlines
Indonesian Muslims called Tuesday for the death of a Dutch politician for making a film that alleges Islam is an inspiration for violence.
The demands came at a protest outside the Dutch Embassy in the capital, Jakarta.
"Islam is a holy religion," Shodiq Ramadan told around 50 protesters who shouted in agreement. "Those who have insulted it deserve to be sentenced to death."
Anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders released the 15-minute film over the Internet last week.
It intersperses scenes of recent terror attacks with versus from the Quran, Islam's holy book, and speeches from Islamic extremists calling for attacks on non-Muslims. The film ends with an appeal for Muslims to rip out sections of the Quran it says promote violence.
The film has been condemned as racist and misleading by governments around the world.
On Monday, a small group of protesters also rallied outside the Dutch Embassy.
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, but hardline interpretations of the faith generally do not attract much support. The government condemned the film soon after its release
last week.(***)
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Peace (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 7:48pm
Response to ANTA,
That is a very sensible thing to say. They have been criticizing that out religion as both intolerant and violent therefore by reacting violently will only prove them right. I hope the few religious zealots that think they know everything about the religion will give it a rest and stop stirring so much trouble. If we could only improve our education so much that we are no longer stuck in the backwaters and thinking like camel trotting desert dwellers, then we would have all the necessary skills to counter them within non violent debates. learn to love people and stop wanting to kill everyone that criticizes us. God is great for all people not only for islam.
David Walter, Brisbane, Australia (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 9:20am
ANTA's comment looks like the beginning of hope that it might be possible for there to be rational dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims based on mutual respect and tolerance.
Every time there are demonstrations in the West and elsewhere by outraged Muslims calling for violence, slayings, beheadings etc. of "those who insult Islam", westerners grit their teeth and feel utter contempt for the demonstrators.
I am sick to death of the Muslim world's characterization of Jews as "pigs", and of Christians and others as infidels who deserve to die.
Geert Wilders' film FITNA is a portrayal of extremism in Islam. However it is undeniably true that the pictures he uses, including the photos from the London demonstrations after the publication of the Danish cartoons, are ABSOLUTELY GENUINE. These called for slaying, beheading, "democracy go to hell" and so on. So what are Muslims on about - does the truth hurt?
It would be far more productive for the Muslim world to turn and confront the monstrous extremists within it, including those who seek to radicalize young men and make them violent indiscriminately against non-Muslim foreigners.
If we Westerners could see evidence that ordinary, non-fascist, Muslims were really committed to sharing the world peacefully with others, we would not feel such revulsion and anger at the excesses of Islam, and there would not be a NEED for a movie like Fitna.
Muslim world: look at yourself in the mirror. You are not a pretty sight!
The Reader (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 8:40am
I agree. His intention is to stir up extreme reaction from Muslims, so that he can further justify his false argument about the religion. The government should urge protesters to act in peaceful manner, as this is what actually taught by Islam.
Hassan S. (not verified) — Wed, 04/02/2008 - 12:35am
Wilders only shows terrorist and calls them Muslims. The way to prove he is wrong is to show our dignity and ignore him. Further we should clearly state that we do not accept terrorists as Muslims. By doing like this, this Wilders will quickly be forgotten.
ANTA (not verified) — Tue, 04/01/2008 - 5:42pm
death for Geert Wilders? I don't think so Islam allow such kind of idea. Geert didn't kill us.So why we should kill him?I think the best way to counter the movie is by making a good movie about Islam.
The Reader (not verified) — Tue, 04/01/2008 - 4:12pm
Of course, it was not a good idea to publish this film. It was clear that it will bring a lot of hatred along, what is the last thing we need.
But still he has the right to publish his opinion. I don't share it and most people in our world don't share it, and they are free to tell their opinion as well.
But if this hardliners want to kill him for expressing his opinion - this would be a kind of proof that he is not completely wrong. Is it that what these protesters want?
And I don't see what the Dutch government has to do with it. This is about a single opinion from a single person and has nothing to do with other Dutch people.
Sutoyono (not verified) — Tue, 04/01/2008 - 3:29pm
If they call for the death of the politican they only confirm his vision on the Islam to the rest of the world.