Film about Islam produced by Dutch parliamentarian to be made available online

PanARMENIAN.Net - Debates between the Dutch government and parliamentarian Geert Wilders ended in a compromise. The latter agreed not to screen his film "Fitna" labeling Islam as "outdated culture" and Koran as "fascist book."



Geert said he shot the film in memory of Theo Van Gogh who was killed by an Islamic extremist in 2004 over a film he made accusing Islam of condoning violence against women.



Fearing reaction of the Islamic world, Dutch parliamentarians called to cancel the screening.



The Netherlands has a four-stage risk classification system. The lowest is "minimal," the highest is "critical."

 

The counter-terrorism agency cut the threat level to the second-lowest "limited" last April, citing little fresh activity by militant networks in the country and growing resistance to radicalization among the one million Muslims in the Netherlands.



Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende warned Wilders that the release of his film could have "far-reaching security consequences" and even "deaths," calling on him to take responsibility for the possible consequences of the film.

 

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said screening would be an irresponsible step. He also met ambassadors from Muslim countries to discuss the matter, emphasizing that the government does not share Wilders' views. He asked them to make sure that Dutch citizens and buildings abroad are protected.



15-minute "Fitna" will be made available online only.



Wilders, whose party has 9 seats in the Dutch parliament, is guarded by the police.