Fitna

Mr. D you should read my last weeks post, because this is an update on it

Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders has finally released his film about Islam, Fitna, and the reaction to it has been very interesting. Dutch Muslim leaders responded in a responsible way, by stating that in now way should there be a violent reaction to this film, and so far there has been little outrage except in a few Middle Eastern countries. Wilders is also supposedly pleased with the calm reaction to this film. Unfortunately the website that was hosting the film had to take it off its site, because, "Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature and some ill-informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, LiveLeak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove 'Fitna' from our servers." This is a very disturbing matter because free speech and open discourse shouldn't be taken away because of extremists.

Ban Ki Moon in my opinion acted in a very cowardly matter. He said, ""There is no justification for hate speech or incitement to violence," Ban said in a statement. "The right of free expression is not at stake here." For the sake of the free world I hope that the Secretary General can tell the difference between a film that is controversial and a film that promotes violence. And if Moon thinks that this film promotes violence, maybe he should comment on the daily propaganda in the Arab world which demonizes Israel and the Jews. Ban also said, "We must also recognize that the real fault line is not between Muslim and Western societies, as some would have us believe, but between small minorities of extremists, on different sides, with a vested interest in stirring hostility and conflict." Unfortunately, in much of Europe the majority of the Muslim community hasn't stood up and chastised their more extremist elements. If they fail to do this then Moon's statement holds no validity, because if there is no moderate voice then radical Islam can start to impose its will on Western values.

Overall Wilders made a very interesting film that only attacks radical Islam and not Muslims. It should continue to be discussed and debated in public, as it holds some important messages. Luckily, I found the film on Youtube, and it is well worth a 15 minute glimpse, although parts of it are quite disturbing.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge4xLb8736k&feature=related
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU70GqQCCRg