Joel Hendon

Global Fits Over Dutch Film “Fitna”


Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

Dutch politician Geert Wilders 15 minute film titled Fitna, although scheduled originally to show "before the end of March", has been delayed by its US-based website host Network Solutions. Their explanation on the subject web site says:

This site has been suspended while Network Solutions is investigating whether the site's content is in violation of the Network Solutions Acceptable Use Policy. Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation. For more information about Network Solutions Acceptable Use.

Even before it's release, it is causing havoc world wide, bringing threats from various muslim countries of violence and retaliations of various sorts. Wilders published cartoons of Muhammad in September 2005 which set off protests and at least 100 deaths were caused. Although he is an outspoken critic of Islam and the Koran, he says the reason he insists on publishing these things is because of their illegal effort to stop him. The Netherlands have complete freedom of speech and the press and his contention is that no one has the right to stop him.

I cannot but agree with him in that respect, however, even the Dutch authorities and many others have pled with him to withhold release of this film. The dutch have made emergency plans for evacuating their people from their consulates worldwide. It causes a dilemma in that it poses the question of whether proving a point of freedom of speech is worth possible multiple deaths while the flip side is, can one allow threats of violence to impede their legal rights?

Following are several threats which have been made even before the film has been shown or the exact contents made known:

In a recent message on a protected web forum on the website alekhlaas.net, which has links with Al Qaeda, the terror group called on people to "slaughter" Dutch legislator Geert Wilders , the report said. ( ReligionNewsBlog) Zabihullah Mujahid has stressed that the Taliban will increase their attacks on Dutch military and humanitarian peacekeepers in Afghanistan, if the film was ever aired (Wikipedia)

Wilders is the subject of a fatwa, allegedly associated with Al-Qaeda, calling upon Muslims to assassinate Wilders in the name of Islam. (ibid)

All over the world threats are made to Dutch citizens and Dutch representatives are pressurized in countries like Iran. (Wazii.com)

On March 6th 2008, the Dutch government raised its national terroristic threat level from the status 'limited terroristic threat' to 'substantial terroristic threat' because it fears Muslim terrorists will launch attacks against European targets, with the film as one of the causes. (Wikipedia)

Dutch flags in Afghanistan have been burned, in protest of a film being released that portrays the Quran as inciting violence, as well as encouraging oppression of homosexuals and women. The Dutch government have asked Geert Wilders to scrap the movie on behalf of their citizens who fear for their safety abroad. Subsequently, a Dutch Cabinet minister postponed his trip to Somalia because of threats that have been directly linked to the film. (Interfaith Foundation)

The Dutch Ministry of Justice investigated the film to see if it's publication could be legally stopped, but found no breach of Dutch law. Eventhough Wilders has been negotiating with authorities, he insists that the film will be published, if not by Dutch broadcasters, he will put it on the internet. He also accuses some broadcasters of capitulating.

I believe this man is within his God given rights, along with Dutch law rights, to publish this film which, probably, contains absolute truths. But I do sincerely question the wisdom of it. Whether pertinent or not, a good saying is: "Never poke a stick into a hornets nest while they are home".

Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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