Op-Ed: Wilders' Film 'Fitna' Finally Released Online

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On March 22, 2008, at least 1,000 demonstrators have taken to the streets of Amsterdam, to protest the release of “Fitna” by right-wing politician Geert Wilders. Fitna is a fifteen-minute film short that attacks both the Koran and the Islamic faith. Wilders himself has called Islam’s ideals as a threat to freedom.

Many feel that the film’s release will spark a witch hunt against Muslims. The Dutch government was quick to distance itself from Wilders. There are possible fears that after the release of Fitna, there will be backlash within the Muslim world that will mirror that after the 2006 publication of the Muhammad caricature by Danish cartoonist, Kurt Westergaard.

On a side note, the cartoon was republished recently after a foiled assassination attempt on Westergaard. Currently, Westergaard’s original drawing is up for auction. It is possible that the cartoon will only be auctioned online.

The following day, the US-based hosting company Network Solutions had shut down the original website where Fitna would be released. The company said that it will investigate whether the website violated the terms of agreement.

Wilders said that he would personally give out DVDs on the Dam in order to get the film out.

Wilders himself is currently under police protection amidst death threats received.

Both Pakistan and Iran have condemned the release of Fitna.

According to my friend that lives in Holland, known as Geerhard, he explains that Wilders does not represent the whole of Holland. In the Dutch parliament, Wilders represents a very tiny fraction. His party only holds nine seats out of the 150-seat parliament.

Geerhard further added that Wilders is a known racist and is prejudice towards Muslims. In short, Wilders is regarded as one of the most hated people throughout Holland.

Over a conversation, Geerhard said: “We do not support that racist.”

He further explains that it is not uncommon for Wilders to receive death threats. Before police protection, Wilders was accompanied by a bodyguard for fear of possible assassination attempts.

Today, Geerhard had informed me that Fitna has been released on the video-sharing website known as LiveLeak. It is explained that some scenes from Fitna include the beheading of Dutch director Theo Van Gogh.

I myself have taken a look at the first three to four minutes of Fitna on the website. Even the first few minutes of the film are graphic. I was greeted to scenes of the 9/11 attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. Then, it had followed up with the Madrid train bombing on March of 2004.

After the first few minutes, I could not watch the film anymore.

In my personal opinion, I thought that Fitna was a one-sided piece of garbage. It mainly revolved around Islamic radicalism. But, the film gave the indication that Wilders was attacking all Muslims, both moderate and radical.

There were scenes that I had found to be very tasteless such as film footage of the decapitation of Theo Van Gogh.

Regardless, Fitna is now available for viewing. But, the film is not for the faint of heart. One must watch the film at his/her own discretion.

Still, Wilders does not represent mainstream views, let alone the views of all of Holland.