FILM CHARGING OF PROMOTING VIOLENCE AND INTOLERANCE TO BE SHOT IN NETHERLANDS

PanARMENIAN.Net
22.01.2008 17:04 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ A Dutch politician’s plan to release a film
that charges the Koran of promoting violence and intolerance has
sparked controversy in the Netherlands. Government officials are
distancing themselves from the project and stepping up security at
home and at embassies abroad, while Muslim leaders fear that it could
strain relations between the Dutch and their large Muslim immigrant
population.

Geert Wilders, leader of the right-wing Freedom Party, says he will
release a 10-minute-long film on Friday that shows how the Koran is
used by Islamic radicals to promote homophobia, the abuse of women
and violence. The film was slated to debut on Jan. 25 but as of last
Friday Wilders had not found a Dutch broadcaster willing to air it. If
he can not find one by Friday, he says he will post it on the Internet.

As Wilders searched for a broadcaster last week, Dutch Prime Minister
Jan Peter Balkenende urged Wilders to exercise restraint. "The
Netherlands has a tradition of freedom of speech, religion and
beliefs," said Balkenende. "The Netherlands also has a tradition
of respect, tolerance and responsibility. Unnecessarily offending
certain groups does not belong here."

Balkenende said that cities in the Netherlands were on alert for
potential protests in response to the film, and diplomats abroad were
briefed on responding to potential animosity. "We should be ready
for the worst," he resumed, RFE/RL reports.