First, I would like to know the conclusion of your film, second, how much influence does wilder have in Dutch politics , third, what kind of constituency does he represent and finally, how big is his constituency from the total of ducth population?
Answer
Dear Mohamad Reza,
thanks for your question. The conclusion of the film is:
That Geert Wilders could be a danger for our democracy. Because he says he wants to protect our democracy against Islamic, political, fundamentalism, but in reality he wants to change democracy to protect it - of course that is not protecting. He wants to change our constitution to be able to make special laws for muslims.
The second conclusion is, that Muslims and native dutch people together should use their freedom of speech to counter his arguments and change public opinion by using strong arguments and debate and humor. I think if we would do that - Geert Wilders and his movement will get less and less support after a while, Alsop because he can not continue giving increasing extreme views - without also losing a part of his support.
His influence is not big yet in the parliament but very big in the public debate. But in opinion polls he now and then gets 20 of the 150 seats in parliament. This might not seem a lot -but there is more and more support in the Netherlands for some of his views. Another right wing politician Rita Verdonk is now on 20 seats in the polls.
What concerned me the strongest was that in December of 2007 large parts of the voters for two large mainstream parties, (liberals and Christians) also were in favour of the statements made by Geert Wilders.
Name
Mahmoud
- Egypt
Profession
Accountant
Question
First i would like to thank you for being part of such a movie and second i would like to know what triggered you to take up such a project?
Answer
thank you for your support.
Two things triggered me to take up this project.
First of all in December of 2007 - opinion polls showed an increasing support for Geert Wilders and his political party. Those same polls showed an increase of support for his views from voters of other parties. 53% of CDA (Christian party) and 73% of VVD (liberal party) voters supported Wilders ideas and his tone of voice in an debate on Islam in our parliament.
That was the moment that triggered me. I thought if I believe in my democracy as it as now and if I want to keep it that way, then now is the time to speak up
The other thing is, that I felt that Muslims in the Netherlands were either being defensive - not debating with Wilders and mostly asking for legal action against Wilders. (but you can't make ideas disappear by forbidding them - to my opinion)
I wanted to prove together with Ersin Kiris - one of my best friends - that Muslims should use the freedom of speech that we have in the Netherlands to speak up against Wilders - by using arts, news papers etc.
I think most off all our film showed that Muslims too are individuals and not a homogenous group- and can have strong opinions and a sense of humor...
Name
Dina
-
Profession
Question
I would like to thank you for your concern in such an Islamic matter and i would like to ask you what you think the reaction will be towards your movie from wilder and his followers?
Answer
Dear Dina,
thanks for your support.
I already know the reaction, because our film was released several weeks ago.
A member of parliament of the PVV - Wilders party (actually named Party for Freedom) asked questions in parliament about our film. They did not respond on any of the arguments made in the film. They said it was inappropriate that a company that is partly supported by government - which our company is - made a political statement.
They also said that our film was promoting hatred against Geert Wilders.
The reaction of his followers was also fierce. Hundreds of reactions on internet and by E-mail condemned our film as being multicultural propaganda and promoting hate.
I have been called a terrorist and collaborator...
I was shocked by the graveness of the reactions, because I felt that people didn't get some of the humour and also the implications about Freedom of Speech...
I mean if we can criticize Geert Wilders than this implies that people in Holland are also free to criticize the Islam...
Name
Amina
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
The film's being in Dutch , do you think that the language might be an obstacle for the film's spreading among the whole world?
And are you planning to make another Arabic and English virsions?
Answer
Dear Amina,
I'm still hoping that we can make an Arabic or English version. Until now the company which I work for MTNL has chosen not to do so. I hope that this will change in the near future.
Name
Gasser Arnisbi
- Australia
Profession
Question
Are their any other planes for countering the insults against Islam Generally and Qur'an in particular? Are their any long-run projects to counter the attacks on Islam?
Answer
Right now in the Netherlands there are a lot of actions and public debates about this question.
Our film was just one of them, maybe a starting point. I hope these public debates will change the tone of voice and the generalizing attackson Muslims in general in the Netherlands by people as Geert Wilders.
In the Netherlands we have freedom of speech - and also insults can be a part of freedom of speech. But judges should weigh the right of freedom of speech against the anti-discrimination article in our constitution.
Until now the Dutch Public Prosecutors have not started these procedures.
My opinion is that freedom of speech also protects the right of citizens to criticize religions. To my regret some people in Holland are now using the right to freedom of speech to spread fear for Muslims in order to obtain more political power.
Name
Yomna
-
Profession
Journalist
Question
What about the main positive message that the counter film is willing to deliver to the world?
Answer
The main positive message is:
World ... don't worry to much... Muslims in Holland will fight for their civil rights together with a lot of Dutch people and we are already doing so.
By using our freedom of speech, good arguments, art and other tools we will change public opinion in Holland.
Geert Wilders will not obtain enough power to truly operate the ideas he is promoting at this moment.
His views are not shared by the majority of the Dutch - and we will continue to have an open debate in the Netherlands concerning these issues and I truly believe we will find common grounds to peacefully and respectfully live together.
Name
Sara
-
Profession
Question
what is your personal opinion about Islam and have you ever read the Qur'an?
Answer
Dear Sara,
I have a Christian background my friends are both Christian, Muslim and atheist.
I have only read parts of the Qur'an.
My personal opinion about Islam and religion in general is that all religions share common grounds about respecting other human beings, nature and life in general - that I support strongly.
With every religion interpretation of the original texts is a large part of shaping your believes. There are interpretations of Islam and other religions that i prefer more than others.
For the Muslims among my friends the Islam seems to be a guide in live based on respect.
But truth does not belong to me nor to anyone else.
That is why I believe freedom of religion for everyone (also the freedom not to believe) and I also believe in freedom of speech for everyone.
Name
Rana
-
Profession
Question
dear Mr. Vincent i have a request that you provide the world with an english translated version of the movie and if that is possiable i would like to know when it will be available?
Answer
Dear Rana,
I hope I will be able to do so and I will discuss this with my colleagues here at the multicultural television.
thanks for your support
Name
Emam Rahman
-
Profession
engineer
Question
How do you judge the Muslims participation in the Dutch society, are they isolated or they are actively integrating and participating in the Dutch society?
Also what are they supposed to do more in order to overcome these accusations?
Answer
Dear Emam,
that is a difficult question, but I will try to answer as precisely as possible.
Large part of the Muslim population lives together in poorer parts of towns where white people have left. This segregation is the first problem, but not easy to be solved by Muslims. Our government should 'address' this segregational problem with an active and different strategy on housing.
The second problem is we have an increasing segregation in the schools as well, but also this problem is not to be solved by Muslims.
I think that the problems that have arisen - generally speaking - in the Dutch society are more related to the social economic and educational background of Moroccan and Turkish immigrants (the largest Muslim groups in the Netherlands) than Islam. I also don't believe that we have one homogenous group of Muslims in the Netherlands that can be easily given one set of actions to integrate better in Dutch society. But if I had to mention some active changes to overcome the accusations it would be:
- completely accept and respect the disestablishment we have in the Netherlands of religion and politics
- accept and respect the freedom of speech
Because the main accusation is that Muslims would not respect these ground values of Dutch society
Name
A. Riad
- Azerbaijan
Profession
Question
Do you think that Wilders will succeed in broadcasting his film through the Dutch media, or it will reject, as the broadcasting might affect the relations between Muslims and Non-Muslims in Netherlands and might be in whole Europe?
Answer
Dear Mr. Riad,
Wilders will not succeed in broadcasting his film through Dutch media. Wilders did not want to give them the opportunity to see parts of his film Fitna, beforehand, thus before broadcasting. The Dutch Media did not want to agree on his terms.
He then wanted to give a press meeting at a commercial location, near the Parliament. This was also not possible due to security costs: 350.000 Euro.
Also his internet provider took his website - on which he wanted to broadcast the film - offline due to complaints..
So it seems he is running out of possibilities but don't feel joy about this fact. Because Geert Wilders is using these facts to prove his point in Europe.
his argument is: I am losing my freedom of speech - due to Islamic threats... So the political Islam is already disrupting our western democracy - which proves that Islam is a threat and should be fought.
To strengthen my argument: Some left wing parties in parliament - in favour of freedom of speech - offered Geert Wilders the opportunity to have a press release and show his film Fitna in one of the halls of parliament - (which of course is a big step to make) but he refused their offer - and by doing so can continue saying: my freedom of speech is taken away by Muslim radicals ...
Name
Molly
-
Profession
Question
i have watched the movie though i did not understand a word :), the sound effects were powerful.So it is a great step and i am so impressed i must say. my question is does Wilder believe in responsible freedom? Does he know that there are always consequences of one's actions? why do people sometimes think of religion as tool to usurp freedom? thank you
Answer
Dear Molly,
off course I don't know Wilders' believes in details or his thoughts on responsible freedom.
I think that Wilders believes in confrontational politics and I think he is a populist who is using the aftermath of 9-11 and political and social events in the Netherlands to increase his political power. I'm also convinced that Wilders to some extent truly believes that Islam is a threat and he seems to be willing to accept the consequences of his actions.
I think that people sometimes think of religion as a tool to usurp freedom, because it is a fact that there are many examples of people claiming an exclusive right on truth - based on their religion - whereupon they use this claim to suppress others with different believes, views or religion.
Name
Justice
-
Profession
Question
Dear Mr.Van der Lem
My question might be a bit off topic. But, I'm really curious to know why there is recently so much opposition against Islam in the Netherlands.
Thank you!
Answer
Dear Justice,
it's not off topic at all. But it is a very complicated question, I'll try to answer as short as possible.
To my opinion there are four reasons for this opposition against Islam in the Netherlands.
1) Change in world's politics and the changing discourse.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union there has been a 'creation' of 'new enemies' Islamic terrorists. Off course this has to do with conflicts in the middle east - terrorism 9-11 - and the politics of fear by George W. Bush etc. The Netherlands have also been affected by these changes in world's politics.
2) the challenges of globalization, changing world, the call for simple solutions for difficult and complex problems and the insecurity of future that these challenges bring.
3) specific problems in Dutch society in poor neighborhoods with specific groups of migrants (from Islamic background mostly). For years there have been insufficient requirements to integrate (speak the Dutch language for instance). Migrants are more often sentenced for criminal offences etc.
Of course one could claim that these issues are most of all based on social economic background instead of ethnicity
4) The clash between values about sexuality, freedom of speech etc. migrants have and the dominant Dutch values on those issues. Filmmaker Theo van Gogh was for instance killed by a fundamentalist Muslim for making a critical film about Islam.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
Answer
This session has come to an end.
We would like to thank Vincent van der Lem for speaking to IslamOnline.net viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to accommodate any further questions. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
