Dutch Parliament Pulls a “Fitna”
Foreign readers will most likely not believe the following, but the Dutch Parliament debated about (link in Dutch) Geert Wilders movie “Fitna” yesterday. The debate was one happy affair: it was Wilders against the rest. Every single other party tried to put as much distance between itself and Wilders’ party the PVV, and the Dutch Cabinet and Wilders clashed over what had and had not happened.
The Prime Minister and Justice Minister both said that Wilders told them back in November 2007 that he was planning to burn the Koran in his movie, or to tear it apart. Wilders got angry and said they were lying; he never told them any such thing.
And so, the ‘debate’ that should not have been a debate in the first place became a ‘he said, she said’ affair.
The Cabinet said that it panicked, basically, because of what Wilders thought them back in November, Wilders replied that he never told them anything except for that he was going to produce a movie linking Islam to violence and terrorism. Other than that, he says he never told them what the exact content would be.
But, as usual, the parties of the government coalition and most opposition parties put their faith in the government and attacked Wilders. “Wilders has been unmasked,” one MP (of the Christian Democrats) said. Others emphasized how insulting Wilders’ movie was, that he was arguing that every single Muslim is or should be a terrorist, while that’s not the case, etc. and so on.
Now, I agree with that - Wilders grossly distorts the Koran in “Fitna” - but the government panicked even though the movie had not been produced yet - heck, he hadn’t even started working on it. That’s inexcusable. Balkenende (our PM) behaved like an amateur.
So Wilders filed a motion for impeachment (basically; literally, lack of trust). And rightfully so. Literally every single person I know, and the far majority of them share my views on Wilders (that’s he’s close to a fascist himself, that he’s intolerant, that he distorts Islam, that he tries to make people vote for him based on fear, and so on), says that the government screwed this one up severely.
Everyone knows it… except for our politicians. Even my own party the VVD was more occupied attacking Wilders (in an attempt seemingly to suck up to fundamentalists) than attacking the government coalition. This while we’re an opposition party. Hey Rutte (leader of the VVD), how about doing your job for once and criticizing the Cabinet when they [explicit] things up?
Michael, you wrote: >> that’s he’s close to a fascist himself, that he’s intolerant, that he distorts Islam <<
Please tell me, how exactly did he "distort" those verses in the Koran? What should those verses have said? Are you telling me that Wilders made them all up??
Are you also telling Mohammed Atta and his accomplices did NOT have a copy of the Koran, and they did NOT use the Koran for guidance, and that they did NOT pray to their idol "Allah"?
Are you telling me that the people featured in the video do NOT preach that Jews were are as worthy as "apes and pigs"??
Tell me now. lol
Irshad Manji sums it up nicely here. Wilders could have made Fitna better by adding some positive verses from the Qur’an to shame radical imams and force moderate Muslims to look deeper within. Maybe the next release will be better.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2008/04/geert_wilders_film_a_flop_for.html
"There are plenty of positive passages to highlight. The possibility for women’s dignity is shown by 3:195, which states that God rewards "any worker among you, be you male or female — you are equal to one another." Imagine aligning that passage with the shot of a woman’s body mutilated by an honor killing."
Wilders did not distort Koran literally - he took specific verses from Koran, without explaining the context in which they were released, basically same way that al Queda interprets. As that is not the interpretation that majority of Muslims would like to have, one can say that Wilders distorted the meaning of Koran.
muslim: exactly. I wrote a review, and that’s exactly one of my points in that review.
I grew up in Islamic countries. I’ve seen it myself.
Wherever Islam becomes the dominant religion, then the place goes to shit.
Sorry to say that, but it’s the truth.
Ladies and gentleman, the reality is that Wilders was very restrained. In fact, Fitna has merely scratched the surface of what’s in the Qur’an . . .
The Qur’an:
Sura (2:191-193) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]…and fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah." There is a good case to be made that the overall context of these verses is defensive war, however, there are two worrisome pieces to this passage. The first is that the killing of others is authorized in the event of "persecution." The second is that fighting may persist until "religion is for Allah."
Sura (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things."
Sura (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not."
Sura (3:56) - "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help."
Sura (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority". This speaks directly of killing Christians, since they believe in the Trinity (ie. what Muhammad incorrectly believed to be ‘joining companions to Allah’).
Sura (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward."
Sura (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah…"
Sura (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks."
Sura (4:95) - "Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-" This passage not only criticizes "peaceful" Muslims who do not join in the violence, but also demolishes the modern myth that "Jihad" doesn’t mean holy war in the Qur’an, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is the Arabic word used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man’s protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad).
Sura (4:104) - "And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain…" Pursuing an injured enemy is not an act of self-defense.
Sura (5:33) - "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement"
Sura (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Sura (8:15) - "O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them. (16)Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey’s end."
Sura (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah"
Sura (8:57) - "If thou comest on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember."
Sura (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah’s Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy."
Sura (9:5) - "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them."
Sura (9:14) - "Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace…"
Sura (9:20) - "Those who believe, and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s way are of much greater worth in Allah’s sight. These are they who are triumphant." The "striving" spoken of here is Jihad.
Sura (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Sura (9:30) - "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!"
Sura (9:38-39) - "O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place." This is a warning to those who refuse to fight, that they will be punished with Hell.
Sura (9:41) - "Go forth, light-armed and heavy-armed, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew."
Sura (9:73) - "O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination."
Sura (9:88) - "But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper."
Sura (9:111) - "Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur’an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme."
Sura (9:123) - "O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness."
Sura (21:44) - "We gave the good things of this life to these men and their fathers until the period grew long for them; See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?"
Sura (25:52) - "Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur’an)." "Strive against" is Jihad, obviously not in the personal context. It’s also significant to point out that this is a Meccan verse.
Sura (47:4) - "So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners,"
Sura (47:35) - "Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost (Shakir: "have the upper hand") for Allah is with you,"
Sura (48:17) - "There is no blame for the blind, nor is there blame for the lame, nor is there blame for the sick (that they go not forth to war). And whoso obeyeth Allah and His messenger, He will make him enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow; and whoso turneth back, him will He punish with a painful doom."
Sura (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves"
Sura (61:4) - "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way"
Sura (61:10-12) - "O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty?- That ye believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your property and your persons: That will be best for you, if ye but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Gardens of Eternity." This verse was given in battle. It uses the Arabic word, Jihad.
Sura (66:9) - "O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them. Hell will be their home, a hapless journey’s end." The root word of "Jihad" is used again here. The context is clearly holy war, and the scope of violence is broadened to include "hypocrites," those who call themselves Muslims but do not act as such.
From the Hadith:
Bukhari (52:177) - Allah’s Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."
Bukhari (52:256) - The Prophet… was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, "They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans)." In this command, Muhammad establishes that it is permissible to kill non-combatants in the process of killing a perceived enemy. This provides justification for the many Islamic terror bombings.
Bukhari (52:220) - Allah’s Apostle said… ‘I have been made victorious with terror’
Abu Dawud (14:2526) - The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Three things are the roots of faith: to refrain from (killing) a person who utters, "There is no god but Allah" and not to declare him unbeliever whatever sin he commits, and not to excommunicate him from Islam for his any action; and jihad will be performed continuously since the day Allah sent me as a prophet until the day the last member of my community will fight with the Dajjal (Antichrist)
Abu Dawud (14:2527) - The Prophet said: Striving in the path of Allah (jihad) is incumbent on you along with every ruler, whether he is pious or impious
Muslim (1:33) - the Messenger of Allah said: I have been commanded to fight against people till they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah
Bukhari (8:387) - Allah’s Apostle said, "I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah
Muslim (1:149) - "Abu Dharr reported: I said: Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best? He (the Holy Prophet) replied: Belief in Allah and Jihad in His cause…"
Muslim (20:4645) - "…He (the Messenger of Allah) did that and said: There is another act which elevates the position of a man in Paradise to a grade one hundred (higher), and the elevation between one grade and the other is equal to the height of the heaven from the earth. He (Abu Sa’id) said: What is that act? He replied: Jihad in the way of Allah! Jihad in the way of Allah!"
Muslim (20:4696) - "the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: ‘One who died but did not fight in the way of Allah nor did he express any desire (or determination) for Jihid died the death of a hypocrite.’"
Muslim (19:4321-4323) - Three separate hadith in which Muhammad shrugs over the news that innocent children were killed in a raid by his men against unbelievers. His response: "They are of them (meaning the enemy)."
Tabari 7:97 The morning after the murder of Ashraf, the Prophet declared, "Kill any Jew who falls under your power." Ashraf was a poet, killed by Muhammad’s men because he insulted Islam. Here, Muhammad widens the scope of his orders to kill. An innocent Jewish businessman was then slain by his Muslim partner, merely for being non-Muslim.
Ibn Ishaq: 327 - “Allah said, ‘A prophet must slaughter before collecting captives. A slaughtered enemy is driven from the land. Muhammad, you craved the desires of this world, its goods and the ransom captives would bring. But Allah desires killing them to manifest the religion.’”
Ibn Ishaq: 990 - Lest anyone think that cutting off someone’s head while screaming ‘Allah Akbar!’ is a modern custom, here is an account of that very practice under Muhammad, who seems to approve.
Ibn Ishaq: 992 - "Fight everyone in the way of Allah and kill those who disbelieve in Allah." Muhammad’s instructions to his men prior to a military raid.
Wilders grossly distorts the Koran in “Fitna”
Really, so you moonlight as an islamic cleric do you? Know it inside out of course.
We should probably interview Khalim Massoud. http://www.reformislam.org/verses.php
* If you see the movie FITNA by an open mind/eyes, you clearly see, the mind/thinking working behind this is only hate of an individual against Islam. * The film maker picked the verses of Quran out of context and tried to develop hate to Islam among innocent people of other faiths by joining the video effects/clips. Producer tried to play with innocent hearts by joining video clips like, Twin Tower attack clips, with verses. I AM ASKING YOU PEOPLE, SHOULD ANY MUSLIM MAKE A MOVIE LIKE THIS ?FITNA? AND JOINS THE TEACHING OF ?BIBLE? WITH THE PICTURES/VIDEOS OF US ATTACK ON IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN??AND TRY TO PROVE THE SAME AS IN ?FITNA?? And sure there is lot of material, like Dutch MP gathered for his movie, available. Shuld we produce a movie in response of FITNA to prove that Christians are same as MP tried to prove in his so called freedom of speech production. And sure, today lot of material(videos, photos etc) available in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc due to US war. SURE?..WE WILL NOT….! We even cant thinklike this. THERE IS NO ANY MUSLIM IN THIS WORLD WHO CAN THINK TO COMMENT THE PROPHET JESUS AND HIS TEACHINGS. IF ANY DOES THIS, HE IS NOT A MUSLIM AT ALL, MAY BE HIS NAME IS LIKE OF MUSLIMS. * In this movie, speeches of Politician doesn?t mean that it is the sayings of Islam. and individuals? act don?t mean the sayings of Islam. Quran Says: ?ONE WHO SAVES THE LIVE OF ANY INNOCENT HUMAN IS AS HE SAVES THE WHOLE HUMANITY? We believe in ?FREEDOM OF SPEECH? but with responsibility. By this kind of so called FREEDOM, actually you are hearting the millions of people. In humanity, freedom should be constructive, not for promote the hate in society/world. More Important: MUSLIMS ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO THE HOLY QURAN and ALL PROPHETS INCLUDING MUHAMMAD, JESUS, DAVID, MOSIS (peace be upon to all) and all others. I personally feel, the act of Dutch MP is based on hate to Muslims. Not only for Muslims but he is also against his society and country. His Movie will work as a fire in the society of Netherlands as well as in between thousands of Muslims and Christians in the world. Example: Tell me you people….If few individuals(so called Muslims) were involved in 9/11 incident and few thousand innocent died in it,what kind of justice it is to kill hundred thousands of Muslim in Afghanistan. First they were fighting against Russia for many years and now there is USA attacking Afghanistan for seven years. This so called war of terror is now in our homes in Pakistan, and our innocent people killed every day in suicide attacks. Now u people tell me: 1. Should we blame NATO, Europe and USA or Christians….? May God/Allah help us to live with peace.
Pakistani Senator decides to make a movie in response to Danish cartoons & Holland?s movie insulting Islam. —————————————————————– ISLAMABAD: In a bid to give a proper reply to the blasphemous film on Holy Quran ?Fitna? by a Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, Senator Dr Babar Awan has announced a project to produce an international documentary to project the real message of the Holy Quran and to eliminate the negative propaganda against Islam. While addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said, ?As a Muslim parliamentarian, I have accepted this challenge to give a reply to Geert Wildersí film and this announcement will please all peace lovers and supporters of interfaith harmony and respect. He said he felt honoured to announce the project on the Holy Quran. Babar Awan said the film would be released initially in Urdu, English and Arabic. Senator Dr Babar Awan said the film would challenge the Dutch lawmaker?s blasphemous film ?Fitna? that has been condemned across the world. ?My film?s script, based on research from the Quran, is ready and it was prepared by a group of scholars. Then it was scrutinised by another group of professional scriptwriters. A team of professionals with experience in making documentaries of international standard is ready to shoot the film,? he said. Babar Awan said the film would be completed within 100 days and released in cinema halls across the world on the 1st day of the month of Ramazan, when it begins in Saudi Arabia.
Please read this relatively complete excerpt from the Sura. Taking just one statement out of context even from a great public speakers speech can have quite misleading effect. Verse number 216 should be quoted separately with care. Sura (2:211 to 2:217) (From the translation by A. Yusuf Ali) 211 Ask the Children of Israel how many Clear (Signs) We have sent them. But if anyone after Allah’s favor has come to him substitutes (something else) Allah is strict in punishment. 212 The life of this world is alluring to those who reject faith and they scoff at those who believe. But the righteous will be above them on the Day of Resurrection; for Allah bestows His abundance without measures on whom He will. 213 Mankind was one single nation and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book after the clear Signs came to them did not differ among themselves except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His Grace guided the believers to the truth concerning that wherein they differed. For Allah guides whom He will to a path that is straight. 214 Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of Bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: "When (will come) the help of Allah?" Ah! verily the help of Allah is (always) near! 215 They ask thee what they should spend (in charity). Say: Whatever ye spend that is good is for parents and kindred and orphans and those in want and for wayfarers. And whatever ye do that is good Allah knoweth it well. 216 Fighting is prescribed for you and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not. 217 They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah to deny Him to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque and drive out its members. Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in unbelief their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be Companions of the Fire and will abide therein.