Prelude to the anticipated release of Geert Wilders’ 15-minute film called “Fitna,” thousands had taken to the streets of the capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam. Many fear that the possible release of the film which is deemed to bash the Islamic faith will have backlash that mirrors the one throughout Denmark back in 2006.
Around 2006, there was much backlash throughout the Muslim world let alone Denmark’s Muslim community after a caricature of Muhammad with a bomb in his turban was published. Several months ago, there have been assassination attempts on the life of the cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard.
Currently, Westergaard is in hiding and under police protection.
Recently, radical Islamic websites released an audiotape with a still image of Al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden. It is not confirmed whether if it is Bin Laden’s voice or not. But, the tape had condemned the European Union (EU) over the reprinting of the cartoon.
The cartoon was reprinted out of protest by Danish newspaper publishers after word got out that several people tried to kill Westergaard. On a side note, Westergaard’s original drawing of Muhammad is up for auction. There is a high chance it will be auctioned online as it is too hot for auction houses to touch.
Fitna has already been condemned by both Iran and Pakistan. Wilders said that Islam is the very threat to freedom.
Wilders himself is currently under police protection due to death threats that he have received. So far, TV stations across Holland have refused to air the short film. Afterwards, Wilders said he would then release it through the internet.
But, the hosting company known as “Network Solutions,” based in the United States has shut down the site. It is investigating whether the site violated the terms of service.
“If necessary, I’ll go hand out DVDs personally on the Dam,” Wilders said implying that he would distribute DVDs himself on Amsterdam’s central square. Many had protested on the Dam showing that Wilders does not represent Holland as a whole.
Wilders’ party only holds 9 seats in the Dutch parliament. There are 150 seats total. In short, Wilders only represents a very tiny minority.
Recently, I had talked to a friend of mind that lives in Holland about the film. He said that Fitna probably will not be released. According to my friend, Geerhard, Wilders is a known racist.
Death threats to Wilders are not uncommon according to what Geerhard had explained to me. Geerhard further explains that Wilders is one of the most hated people throughout Holland.
He also adds that Wilders is anti-Muslim. Due to the death threats, Wilders has a bodyguard with him most of the time out of fears of assassination attempts.