Far-right MP's film to show Quran is an "inspiration for murder" Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film Far-right MP Wilders is known for his anti-Islam stance (File) AMSTERDAM (Agencies) The Dutch government appealed for restraint on Friday and said it is ready for any possible fallout of a planned film by far-right MP Geert Wilders that attacks Islam as an "inspiration for murder". Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said it was unclear what Wilders -- a politician whose anti- Islam comments have led to death threats -- would say in the film, but there were concerns in the Netherlands and abroad. Wilders, the head of the far-right Freedom Party, announced in November that he planned to release a 10-minute film this month that will show that Islam's holy book, the Quran, "is an inspiration for intolerance, murder and terror". Observers say Wilders might burn or tear up the Quran in the movie. In February last year the MP called on Muslims to "tear out half the pages of the Quran and throw them away". "The Netherlands has a tradition of freedom of speech, religion and beliefs. The Netherlands also has a tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility. Unnecessarily offending a certain belief or group has no place in that," Balkenende told a news conference in The Hague. "We are ready to react quickly, it is our role to be prepared for calamities," Balkenende said. Earlier on Friday Dutch media had reported that the government had compiled a secret document on how best to deal with reactions to the film. The Hague fears a repeat of riots when thousands took to the streets in Muslim countries to protest cartoons of the prophet Mohammed that appeared in a Danish newspaper in 2005. The protests left some hundred people dead, Danish embassies were attacked and Danish goods were boycotted. Dutch public broadcaster TROS said the movie was expected to be shown on Jan. 25, but it was unclear on which TV station. A film made by a high-profile critic of Islam for Dutch television has a disturbing precedent in the Netherlands. Three years ago an Islamic militant killed film maker Theo Van Gogh over his film "Submission", written by former Dutch lawmaker Ayaan Hirsi-Ali, in which she accused Islam of condoning violence against women. The murder unleashed a violent anti-Muslim backlash and forced Hirsi-Ali into hiding. Dutch gov't plans to fight Islamic extremism Dutch MP calls for ban on "fascist" Quran Dutch MP tries to ban burqas…again Far-right Dutch MP insults Quran in new film Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film UN names George Clooney "messenger of peace" Comments 1 - whats wrong with islam con savvas [ Saturday, January 19, 2008 ] why do you people hate islam and muslims what did islam or muslims do to you people nothing im greek with many muslim freinds they love grreece and i love arabia look at you country drugs sex whores u dutch are a "f..." race 2 - SOOO STUPID A Lady from Russia [ Saturday, January 19, 2008 ] this is so stupid why are they preparing for a 'calamity' why dont they just nip it in the bud before it happens! This is not freedom of speech this is blatant racism and complete ignorance! If they know that this film is going to cause a stir why would they want to add fuel to an already burning fire! Oh yes i know why so they can then come out and say look at these muslims they are crazy they hate freedom of speech! Well i aint Muslim but i would hate your so-called freedom of speech as well if it meant constant attack on my religion and people! This is totally unacceptable! 3 - Islam - violent? Yusuf Germino [ Saturday, January 19, 2008 ] Obviously Geert Wilders does not have a good sense of education. Otherwise, he will realise that the Christian Bible is also full of violence, racism, anti-semetisim etc. Whey single out on Muslims and Islam? Does Wilder need extra press mileage? Or just begging for worldwide attention.? The Dutch government must make a good strategy, otherwise, if the Arab and Muslim world unite, it could bring down their economy! Leave a Comment US $38 million to be spent to stop 'radicalization' of youth Dutch gov't plans to fight Islamic extremism The Netherlands was shaken by radical Islamist violence in 2004 when filmmaker Theo van Gogh was assassinated (File) AMSTERDAM (AFP) The Dutch government announced on Monday a four- year plan to combat radicalization especially among Muslim youths, amid concern over domestic Islamic extremism. Most of the plan's 28 million-euro (38 million- dollar) budget will go to local governments to support projects designed to keep youths from turning against Dutch society and its values, officials said. "It is the first time that the Netherlands has launched an integral plan involving all eight relevant ministries to combat radicalization and polarization in our society," Interior Minister Guusje ter Horst said. The Netherlands has been shaken by radical Muslim violence since the assassination of filmmaker and columnist Theo van Gogh in 2004 by a Muslim who was angry at a film he had made criticizing the treatment of women in Islam. The killer, Mohammed Bouyeri, came from the Slotervaart district of Amsterdam where Ter Horst presented her plan. "We are concerned with youths who do not feel at home in the Netherlands and who do not feel Dutch. While they are trying to find their own identity, they can become radical and we want to stop that," she said. "We are not only trying to fight radicalization in Muslims but also in far-right groups." Despite these concerns there are no official figures on the problem of radicalization among Dutch youths, although the minister said the government was funding a study of the problem. The action plan is mainly a grouping together of earlier measures in areas such as education, child support, anti-discrimination and employment. Ter Horst said most of the work must be done by the municipalities. The government plans have few concrete measures and speak mainly of supporting local projects. Slotervaart district council president Ahmed Marcouch was one of the first to put radicalization of Muslim youths on the agenda and says the neighborhood has between 50 and 60 such young people. His budget to combat radicalization will go from 100,000 to 500,000 euros a year under the new plan. That extra money will be spent on training teachers, social workers and parents on how to deal with youths who are coming under radical influences, he said. "It's not some form of thought control where we say what kids can and cannot think. We want to give teachers the tools to initiate the discussion and not be afraid," he explained. "We also have to make sure not every Muslim youth is seen as a potential problem," added Marchouch, who is of Moroccan origin. Ter Horst added: "There is no pill against radicalization. You have to talk and talk and talk to those who are going through the process. We are focusing on prevention because a crackdown doesn't always work." Likens Muslim Holy Book to Hitler autobiography Dutch MP calls for ban on "fascist" Quran "Ban this wretched book," Wilders said (File) THE HAGUE (AFP) Dutch populist MP Geert Wilders on Wednesday called for a ban on the Quran in the Netherlands, describing it as a "fascist book" which exhorts people to kill non-believers and rape women. The leader of the far right Freedom Party, which holds nine of the 150 seats in parliament, called for the ban in a letter published in the De Volkskrant newspaper. In his letter, Wilders compares the Muslim holy book to Adolph Hitler's autobiography "Mein Kampf" and said the Quran has "no place in our constitutional state." "I have been saying this for years: there is no such thing as a moderate Islam," Wilders wrote, adding that there were several chapters in the Quran "that call on Muslims to oppress, persecute or kill Christians, Jews, dissidents and non- believers, to beat and rape women and to establish an Islamic state by force." Wilders letter followed a weekend attack on a young local politician Eshan Jami who has founded a group to support people who have renounced Islam. Jami, who was not visibly injured in the attack, is now under constant police protection like Wilders. "Ban this wretched book like "Mein Kampf" is banned! Send a signal to Jami's attackers and other Islamic radicals that the Quran cannot be used in the Netherlands as an inspiration or an excuse for violence," Wilders said. Wilders however said he realized he would not get majority support in parliament for his plan. "I am fed up with Islam in the Netherlands: no more Muslim immigrants allowed. I am fed up with the worship of Allah and Mohammed in the Netherlands: no more mosques," he finished his letter. First ban was deemed unconstitutional Dutch MP tries to ban burqas…again Violations would cost women 12 days in jail (File) THE HAGUE (AFP) A right-wing anti-Islam Dutch politician on Thursday submitted a new draft law to ban women from wearing burqas in public places after an earlier attempt stalled. In letter to parliament, Geert Wilders, who heads the Freedom Party which has nine of the 150 seats in the lower house, wrote that "the burqa and the niqab is a symbol of the oppression of women" and is "in defiance of the democratic constitutional state". The burqa is an Islamic veil covering the entire face and body and a mesh screen to see through, while the niqab is a veil covering the face but leaving the eye area clear. It is not known how many women in the Netherlands wear the face veils but estimates are a few dozen. Nearly two years ago, in October 2005 a majority of the Dutch parliament voted in favor of a motion by Wilders to ban burqas in public places. However, the then minister of integration, hardliner Rita Verdonk, never crafted a law for a burqa ban after an advisory committee said such a ban could be unconstitutional because it violated the right to equal treatment for all residents of the country. Now Wilders, known for his harsh anti-Islam rhetoric, has submitted his own law proposal and hopes the parliament will agree. It is unlikely that he will get another majority as the elections of November 2006 put an end to a centre-right majority in parliament that backed the plans. Wilders wants to ban specifically burqas and niqabs in public places including stations, stadiums, shops, restaurants, museums, hospitals, cars driving on the public roads and public transports. He proposes a maximum sentence of 12 days in jail or a fine of 4,619 dollars (3,350 euros). If the law is passed it would be a world first. No national government has yet banned the use of face veils in public places although some Belgian municipalities, including Antwerp, have introduced local bans. In his proposal Wilders also cites Turkey and France. Turkey bans the wearing of veils and head scarves in public buildings while France has banned the use of obvious religious symbols like Islamic head scarves and veils in government buildings including schools and hospitals. Gov't concerned about "Dutch interests" Far-right Dutch MP insults Quran in new film Wilders plans to air the controversial film by January (File) THE HAGUE (AFP) The Dutch government on Wednesday expressed concern at plans by far right lawmaker Geert Wilders to make an anti-Islam film. Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen met with the head of the far right Freedom Party to highlight the risks of such a film, the minister's spokesman said. "After Wilders announced he was making an anti- Islam film minister Verhagen met with him to point out the risks in making such a movie for himself and his entourage and for the Netherlands and the Dutch interests abroad," Verhagen's spokesman Bart Rijs said. Wilders, whose party holds nine of the 150 seats in parliament, told Dutch media he is making a film that will show the Quran as a "fascist book". In August, Wilders described the Islamic holy book as a "fascist" text which exhorts followers to kill and rape, in an open letter to Dutch newspapers. Wilders is known for his harsh anti-Islam stance and has been under round-the-clock protection since the November 2004 murder of outspoken Dutch columnist and filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a radical Muslim. He has received a number of death threats. Previously he has called for a ban on the Quran and an end to immigration by Muslims. Wilders' former political ally and fellow outspoken Islam critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali also sparked controversy with a film about Islam. Hirsi Ali and director Theo van Gogh received death threats after the release in 2004 of "Submission", a film she scripted that examined the subordination of women in Islamic society. Both were put under police protection. Van Gogh was murdered in Amsterdam by an Islamic extremist. Hirsi Ali now lives in the United States under protection. According to Dutch media, Wilders plans to air the film on television in January but Dutch public broadcasters said they have received no request to show the movie. Another possibility would be to air the film in special airtime given to all political parties. Afghans slam U.S. forces ‘burning Quran’ Dutch MP calls for ban on "fascist" Quran U.S. lawmakers slammed for rejecting Quran gift Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film UN names George Clooney "messenger of peace" Comments 1 - Dutch MP insults Quran in new film Kamil [ Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ] Every artist has the right to express himself by any means necessary. I would like to reverse the situation and see how the Muslims would have reacted if for example a well known Egyptian Muslim director was killed in his OWN country by a Christian because he made a controversial film about Christianity in the medieval ages. You are creating tensions with this article and you are using propaganda in order to control the Muslims and turn their attention outside their own domestic problems. 2 - Provocation Humanrights [ Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ] M.Wilders is far from being an "artist".He has the right to express himself for sure but not to insult or provoke.This right should be exerted with seriousness and respect for other's rights and beliefs. I am not sure your example is appropriate as "Muslims"as a whole cannot be charged for the the killing of Van Gogh and reject in their big majority such acts... 3 - Ignore HIM Sangarepa [ Wednesday, November 28, 2007 ] @Muslims: IGNORE HIM AND HIS FILM!!! The world would be surprised. 4 - Quran/Islam is not the culprit, culture is angez [ Thursday, November 29, 2007 ] I am what you would call a modern woman and yet I genuinely believe that Islam is the only religion with the utmost regard for woman,and the QURAN a most beautifully written book that again provides guidance for all mankind...is misinterpreted, by the most. As my readings suggests like advanced post graduate text books, the QURAN is not a book to be translated by the novices of this world, but by academics well versed not only in religion, but various other fields, as the Quran deals with topics globally, in such depths that comprehension requires knowledge comparable to the text contained. As it is not a book of just religion, narrow visioned humans are not experts of the book so should leave it alone. It is not the Very often, culture is mistaken as the words of the Quran with huge unhealthy repercussions such as the current tension. I am no radical. I do cherish my Quran and my religion and I bequest to all, please leave religion alone. I just want to point out that it is basic human response to protect things we love, and people go to different lengths to ensure its protection and preservation. 5 - Re: Quran/Islam Hero [ Friday, November 30, 2007 ] Do I read that "Islam is the only religion with the utmost regard for woman"? 4:34 (Pickthal) [...] As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. [...] The problem I see here is that in a country with a law more or less influenced by Islam, every man who beats his wife may can refer to the quran. And who misunderstands the quran? I do not read anywhere in the quran that men and women are equal. Women inherit less than men and they have less value as witness at court. They can be easily divorced by their husbands whenever they want but cannot if they want. Even during prayer in the mosque they have to stay behind and they are not desired to speak in public. Do I really misunderstand Islam? 6 - Peace witn justice and equality or not at all mr justice [ Saturday, December 01, 2007 ] All you peace loving WHITEY hypocrits in the west, have no problem killing millions of people around the world with your WMD in the name of democracy .. under what law do you commit these crimes. What is this democracy that you talk about ? Supporting ALL dictatorship around the world I guess. Shut uuuup. Nmae one country in the last 30 years where you have brought democracy (that is justice and eqaulity for all) ? NON. Instaed you are busy spreading death and destruction by any means possible (sales of weapons, occupations, genocide, dictator support, economy.. more). O yes the economy and fair trade .. why dont you in the west compete fairly with the 3rd world .. walk the talk .. no you have to subsidise your farmers so that they can sell food cheaper than the poorest nation.. Shut uuup. Shut upp. You people are the scum of the earth. 7 - quran/Islam Angez [ Tuesday, December 04, 2007 ] Yes, you do You take a sentence, out of context like most narrow minded individuals like yourself and quote it as THE statement without just regard to its manner of application... and totally overlook the overall respect and regard given to a woman in the Quran. Have you ever contemplated or investigated why the there are some differences between man and woman. Just look at a woman from biological perspectives, are we biologically the same? what does pregnancy do to a womans head and body? not to mention PMT. Emotions run amok, thus the different rules but a woman is given a higher status because of that, the weaknesses that make a woman a woman are the QUALITIES of a woman that man need to accept and respect. Look into the history of the Quran and you will note that each chapters were revealed at times of great socioeconomic turmoil and human suffering. Woman were bought and sold at markets, a practise that still prevailes. Islam put a stop to that and whosoever does it is condemned. Man can make decisions but are highly encouraged to seek his wife and familys opinion first. I could go on and on but it is difficult capture the true essence of the Quran in this short exchanges. I am sure you will highlight some other issue, feel free. 8 - 0111202658 AZZAWEEBAS1 [ Thursday, December 06, 2007 ] äÚã ááÞÑÇä æäÚã ááÇÓáÇã 9 - HOW DARE MUSLIMS THREATEN FREE PEOPLE! JAMES MCGILL [ Saturday, January 19, 2008 ] SOME MUSLIMS SEEM NOT TO HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS NOT THE DARK AGES ANYMORE, AND PEOPLE IN FREE COUNTRIES CAN SAY WHATEVER THEY PLEASE! MUSLIMS WHO THREATEN PEOPLE FOR VOICING THEIR OPINIONS ARE THUGS, GANGSTERS AND KILLERS WHO WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY! GET USED TO IT....CIVILIZATION AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH ARE NOT GOING AWAY! Leave a Comment Jewish groups show solidarity with Muslims U.S. lawmakers slammed for rejecting Quran gift DUBAI (AlArabiya.net) In a show of solidarity with the Muslim community, representatives of Jewish and interfaith organizations condemned Oklahoma lawmakers who turned down a copy of the Quran, U.S. press reports said. Republican Rex Duncan refused a gift of Islam's holy book last week, saying, "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology." He said he has researched the Quran on the Internet and believes it supports such killing. "That's exactly what it says," Duncan said. "I think it's pretty straightforward. By their own admission those are the exact words. They don't all practice that." Another 23 lawmakers later joined him in refusing the gift, which was offered by the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council as part of the state's centennial celebration, U.S. daily Tulsa World reported. "Today, I'm an American Muslim, speaking for our brothers," said David Bernstein, executive director of the Jewish Federation. "Hateful words inevitably lead to hateful actions," he told a press conference held at a local mosque. "Sometimes they set in motion a chain of events that turn them into self-fulfilling prophesy," Bernstein said, adding that hateful words often have an effect that the speaker did not desire or anticipate. Keith McArtor, president of the Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, said he hoped the lawmakers who refused the Quran would become "better acquainted with the true tenets of Islam, which are based on brotherhood, love, respect and dignity." Allison Moore, speaking for the Islamic Society of Tulsa, said Islam clearly denounces all forms of terrorism. "Our religion teaches us to be peaceful, tolerant, loving and respectful of neighbors and friends, and to uphold justice for all people," she said. "We are deeply concerned about the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric…And we are very troubled by individuals who disrespect our holy book, the Quran, and quote verses out of context," Moore added. Razi Hashmi, executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he found Duncan's statement Islamophobic and disturbing, coming from someone who should represent his pluralistic constituency regardless of faith. Earlier this year, Oklahoma lawmakers received a copy of the Bible from The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. "It's one of the nicest things I've received in my three years in the Legislature," Duncan said of the Bible. An estimated 30,000 to 50,000 Muslims live in Oklahoma. Nasrallah in public for first time since Israel war Yemen tracks killers of Belgian tourists Israel continues Gaza blitz despite UN concern Dutch govt ready for anger over anti-Islam film UN names George Clooney "messenger of peace" Comments 1 - !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Faisal @ Ohio [ Monday, October 29, 2007 ] it's better for us, because The Quran can't be touch from anyone who isn't Muslim So, they've to find another gifts to give those people other than Quran. thx for Arabia........ 2 - plz take care mandy [ Tuesday, October 30, 2007 ] u see, it's words like these ya faisal that make these people ridicule us!! how can u claim that muslims only r allowed to touch the qur'an?! ur now making stuff up?! anyone is allowed 2 read the qur'an and touch it, so long as it is with the respect it deserves.... plz take care next time of the opinions u voice in public... thank you. 3 - People see what they want to see Lori [ Thursday, November 01, 2007 ] I have been reading the Qu'ran and so far, it is the closest to what I feel God has been teaching me in my life. Know that people will make things extreme in order to prevent people from finding out on their own. If they were blessed by Allah they would see what it really says. Ignorance is a virtue for people like Duncan. He wouldn't know what a true gift is if it had a mouth to tell him so. I am sorry for this. I would be greatful for such a gift. It is imperative for the survival of the whole world to understand and accept each other. Why do we not all realize this by now? I will pray for us all. 4 - The Bible, the only book alksdfj [ Thursday, November 01, 2007 ] If the Bible was given out to Muslims, they would feel the same way. 5 - the bible the only book angez [ Thursday, November 29, 2007 ] This might shock you but the QURAN does stipulate, we respect the Bible. 6 - In the name of US ideology justice [ Saturday, December 01, 2007 ] Republican Rex Duncan refused a gift of Islam's holy book last week, saying, "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology." .. WOOOWWW .... well, does he endorse the innocent people killed in countries around the world by his government ? (4M Vietnamese killed, 1M Iraqis killed and it just keeps on going). He will not even prosecute the US military men who rape us miliatry women . What is he talking about out. I assume he does not support Israel since they shoot and kill kids, even after they are dead they shoot few more bullets into them to have some fun. Leave a Comment Name:Title:Content: Other messengers include Michael Douglas and Princess Haya UN names George Clooney "messenger of peace" Clooney is the ninth UN messenger (File) UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named U.S. actor George Clooney, who has campaigned for refugees in Darfur, as a U.N. "messenger of peace" on Friday to promote the world body's peacekeeping efforts. Clooney is the ninth U.N. messenger -- people chosen from the fields of art, music, literature and sports who have agreed to help focus attention on the United Nations' work. U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Clooney would have a special emphasis on peacekeeping. She said he had been "recognized for focusing public attention on crucial international political and social issues." Clooney, who is currently in Sudan, will receive his designation on Jan. 31 at U.N. headquarters. With fellow actors Don Cheadle and Brad Pitt, Clooney, 46, has used his celebrity status to raise money for refugees through their "Not On Our Watch" charity and draw attention to the crisis in Darfur in western Sudan. The United Nations is trying to deploy a peacekeeping force in Darfur, where international experts say some 200,000 people have been killed and more than 2 million driven from their homes in fighting between Sudan's government and Darfur rebels. Clooney has starred in a number of films with political themes and won an Oscar in 2005 for his role in "Syriana." Last month, he and Cheadle were honored by Nobel peace laureates in Rome for their efforts in Darfur. The other U.N. messengers of peace are actor Michael Douglas, musicians Daniel Barenboim, Midori Goto and Yo-Yo Ma, authors Paulo Coelho and Elie Wiesel, naturalist Jane Goodall and Olympic equestrian Princess Haya of Jordan. The program was started by Ban's predecessor, Kofi Annan, in 1998.