Dutch warned against hype around anti-Islam film

Feb 29, 2008, 15:44 GMT

Amsterdam - The Dutch have created their own self-fulfilling prophecy with the hype surrounding a yet to be released film by legislator Geert Wilders which criticizes Islam, says Sadik Harchaoui.

Harchaoui, 35, is chairman of the board of Forum, a Dutch centre for integration that initiates projects to advance the integration of ethnic groups, carries out research and organizes debates on multiculturalism.

Wilders, who leads the opposition Freedom Party and is the most outspoken Islam critic in the Netherlands, has called the religion 'backward and retarded' and deemed the Koran a 'fascist book' that incites people to commit violence and terrorism.

He has been producing a film in which he sets out to elaborate on his controversial views. He plans to release it in March.

On Thursday, Dutch Foreign Minister Maxine Verhagen called on Wilders not to air the film as it might 'endanger the lives of Dutch nationals' worldwide and harm Dutch business in Muslim countries.

Harchaoui, speaking to Deutsche Presse Agentur dpa Friday, described Verhagen's call as 'understandable, keeping in mind a foreign ministers' responsibilities towards all Dutch nationals, including those abroad.'

'Verhagen has not prohibited Wilders from releasing his movie,' Harchaoui said, adding: 'He merely emphasized Wilders had to weigh various interests before deciding whether or not to release his film.'

Last November Freedom Party leader Wilders, running on a platform of harsh criticism of Islam, announced he would release the film 'exposing what the Koran was really about.'

Although the exact content of the film, to be broadcast on the website www.fitnathemovie.com, is not known, it is expected to reflect Wilders' usual remarks about the Islam.

The Dutch government has officially warned Wilders that the film might endanger his life, referring to the 2004 assassination of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Muslim fundamentalist.

Months before he was shot, van Gogh released Submission, a film criticizing the position of women in the Muslim world.

Opinion leaders, politicians and ordinary citizens alike have been discuss Wilders' upcoming film in the Dutch media.

Recently, both al-Qaeda terrorist network and the Taliban warned they will hit Dutch targets in Afghanistan and elsewhere if the film is broadcast.

Last week the Iranian parliament also warned the Netherlands not to air the film.

'Ironically all the actors in the debate about this movie have in fact created a self-fulfilling prophecy. They created a media hype,' said Harchaoui.

'It would have been much better if Wilders had simply released his movie right away. Then we could have discussed it - and moved on to new issues.'

In his remarks made in a Dutch current affairs programme Thursday, Verhagen had referred to 'threats,' 'indications' and 'signs' he received that Dutch nationals abroad might be endangered if Wilders persists with his plans.

Asked whether Forum has also received indications the film might endanger Dutch nationals abroad, Harchaoui said: 'No. We have not.

'Dutch Muslims sent out an explicit message to the international Muslim world that Wilders' film is an internal affair which should not be used for political means in the Middle East or elsewhere.

'Many in the Middle Eastern approach us about this movie. We explain them this is a democratic, constitutional country, which upholds freedom of expression.'

Harchaoui agrees with the Dutch government that it should be made very clear Wilders' film does not represent the Dutch government viewpoint.

'Media in Muslim countries often do not distinguish between various opinions. We need to make sure they understand there is a difference between the government and the opposition in a democracy. Wilders belongs to the opposition.

Only if we continue to explain this to them we try to ensure Muslims in the Middle East will not misinterpret what is happening over here.'