Sun, 8 November 2009
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Wilders’ much-hyped anti-Islam film Fitna the Movie has been removed from video-hosting company Liveleak’s server due to the company receiving ‘serious’ threats - although you can still find it lurking online.
Although the film isn’t seen as bringing anything new to light – rather it cobbles together material from archives and reflects the Islamophobic views that Wilders has long been expressing – it certainly has sparked debate.
Not only has the movie opened perhaps a much-needed debate, Wilders has managed to illicit reactions through using some footage and a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed by Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard without asking permission as well as showing rapper Salah Edin’s face instead of Mohammed B – murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh.
Some commentary from Expatica readers:
Volja:
“The film doesn’t bring any new information or real solutions. Everyone with an interest in current affairs knows most of this stuff already. Using classical music to enhance the viewers’ emotional involvement is a bit corny for a political film. It’s too short and simplistic. And it took way too long before he showed it (to create a media hype). I don't expect this to have much impact. Things will go on like normal.
Riana:
“If you don’t’ think for yourself then you can become a victim of his (Wilders) views.”
Ryan:
"I am considering rioting over how appalling the editing and production of this "film" were. Shameful effort from beginning to end"
albrecht:
"Isn't truth a defence against libel or slander? The Islamist radicals, and their apologists in European governments, seem to imply that Wilders is making false accusations about Islam.
So let me understand this, when a muslims and its government calls for the wipping out of Israel, thats ok and not racist but when someone films the intent of those who have "killed" in support of their beliefs, that is not ok. So, what lie did Mr Wilders tell the world ? All he did was remind the world and Holland what these folks are capable of. You can not ignore what has been going on since 9/11 and if you do, you willl fall victim to it. Just because someone puts his life on the line to remind folks what has happened does not make him a racist, makes him brave. He loves his country that much to die for it, I have not read about any other Hollanders who are or have been willing to do this. "Hou je taai Holland" Oranje Boven!
Instead of condemning Wilders for his film, why don't you condemn the violence and ideology the film shows? Why don't you condemn the death threats received by Wilders and also Live Leak and its staff for hosting it?
Viewing the film was scary as it does reflect a reality - but only part of it. Most thinking people are completely aware of "What these folks are capable of". We all condemn the violence, of course, but the film is fear-mongering. To quote that Dutch guy from the article: ”His only agenda seems to be to maintain a fearsome world in which right and wrong have become clearly distinguished, and he does so by an appeal on the common stupidity of man to take the easier route of thought.”
I'm not an expert in world religions, however I am aware that Islam builds on its primitive Jewish and Christian predecessors - selecting bits and pieces to make the whole. I'm currently reading intellectual (and atheist) Christopher Hitchen's book 'God is not Great'. In his chapter, "The Koran is borrowed" he agrees that you cannot challenge or investigate the claims of Islam without swift and extremely harsh repression. "Provisionally then, one is entitled to conclude that the apparent unity and confidence of the faith is a mask for a very deep and probably justifiable insecurity.
Not to mention the bloody feuds BETWEEN different schools of Islam, resulting in strictly inter-Muslim accusations of heresy and profanity and in terrible acts of violence.
"The fact remains that Ilsam's core claim--to be unimprovable and final--is at once absurd unalterable. Its many warring and discrepant sects, from Ismaili to Ahmadi, all agree on this indissoluble claim.
"Once again faith is helping to choke free inquiry and the emancipating consequences that it might bring."
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