Dutch protest against Islam critic’s Koran film

Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders is set to release a film depicting the Muslim book, Koran, as fascist.  It is being protested by Muslims as hate speech.

Officials fear movie could spark violence in Muslim countries

AMSTERDAM – Thousands of demonstrators crowded Amsterdam’s central square Saturday, braving wind and sleet to show their opposition to anti-immigration lawmaker Geert Wilders.

The protest, called “Netherlands Shows Its Colors,” is primarily a reaction in advance to the short film Wilders said he will release later this month criticizing the Koran as a “fascist” book.

 While the exact contents of his 15-minute movie, due to be released by March 31, remain  unknown, Wilders has said it will underscore his view that Islam’s holy book is fascist.

Dutch officials fear the movie could spark violent protests in Muslim countries, similar to those two years ago after the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper.

I totally understand fear, that Dutch officials have.  But I hope fear does not push them to kow tow.  Hopefully the fear will make them strong and stand up for what is right.

“The government could really do something. That’s in the interest of the country — stop him, just stop him,” said Hassan Iaeti, who traveled hours from the far south of the country to attend.

He said he believed Wilders is abusing the right of freedom of speech, which he said has limits.

“You can criticize Muslims themselves, but not their religion and not our prophet — that’s our belief.”

Why is it that Mr. Ieati has the right to speak freely, yet Mr. Wilders does not?  The Dutch government has no business in stopping him, and I hope they don’t.  Mr. Wilders is not abusing his freedom of speech, just because it is not the same belief as others. 

Why can’t Mr. Wilders criticize the Muslim religion?  The religion is the driving force behind the Muslims. 

In November 2004, a Muslim radical killed Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh for perceived insults to Islam. Wilders, under constant police protection, said it is his duty to speak out against what he sees as a threat to Dutch culture posed by Islam.

A Dutch court will hear a complaint lodged by Muslim groups seeking to bar Wilders from releasing the film and punish him for earlier anti-Islam remarks under hate crime laws.

The case filed by the Dutch Islamic Federation will be heard March 28, but there is no legal barrier preventing Wilders from releasing his film before then.

Wilders has said he will release his movie on the Internet after television stations refused to air it and plans for a press screening were canceled due to high security costs. [more here]

I just don’t get this.  How is any of this a hate crime or hate speech?  Christians in the US deal with anti-Christianity all the time.  We deal with mocking.  You don’t see Christians going out and demanding that the government make the mockers stop.  You don’t see Christians threaten those who speak bad about or mock Christianity.  You don’t see Christians killing those who speak ill of the religion.  My theory is that the truth will always prevail.  The way I see it, if there is nothing to hide, there is no reason to even protest the film.  I think there is something to hide and that’s why they are protesting.  They are scared of what could be in the film.