Prejudice and ignorance

Despite the appeals by Dutch authorities, concerned about the risk of an international crisis similar to the one sparked off by the Danish caricatures of Mohammed, Geert Wilders, a Dutch MP of the extreme right-wing, on March 27 put on the internet the controversial documentary ‘Fitna’ (which in Arabic means “division and discord within Islam”) whereby the Koran and the Islamic religion are depicted as enemies of freedom. Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende delivered a televised statement firmly distancing himself from this initiative: “The film links Islam to violence. We reject this interpretation”, he claimed. However, the short triggered worldwide reactions and demonstrations especially in Muslim-majority Countries. Strong condemnation was expressed by Christian Churches in Europe and the other Continents. The movie. Issued in English and Dutch versions on the website LiveLeak.com, the film is approximately fifteen minutes long and is preceded by a warning: “beware, shocking images”. The collage of shots was made by Geert Wilders, 44, founder and leader of the Freedom Party which is represented by 9 of the 150 MPs at the Dutch Parliament. It shows the terrible sequences of the Twin Towers tragedy and the attack against Atocha’s station in Madrid. There’s also a disturbing interview with the daughter of a suicide-bomber: a young girl who is already indoctrinated and ready to sacrifice herself just like her mother, who committed suicide-bombing. The ill-famed cartoon of Mohammed wearing a bomb-turban, published two years ago by a Danish daily, is also shown. Alert is high not only in The Netherlands, since the announcement of the film had already caused not only complaints but also real and true threats against Dutch authorities. On Sunday March 30, the students of a Koranic school in Indonesia had rallied along the streets of Java Island, while the Country’s Minister for Social Affairs had asked Islamic organizations to rally against the film. In Karachi, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister summoned the Dutch Minister in Islamabad conveying his “firm protest” against Internet diffusion of an anti-Islamic film. The same happened in Iran where the Foreign Minister summoned the Dutch Minister and Slovenia’s Chargé d’Affaires, who is the current EU President. Christian Churches. Christian Churches unanimously expressed their condemnation. The Council of Dutch Churches – in a note by Secretary General Klaas van der Kamp – described a “deplorable caricature of Islam”. “Dutch Churches – is stated in the Note – believe that society should not be guided by fear. If there exist problems among the different groups which compose it, these should be solved only through mutual dialogue”. The Note recalls that “by displaying images of terrorist attacks linked to extremist elements within Islam, Wilders spreads a unilateral image of this religion. The Churches acknowledge the horrors of violence and naturally abhor all forms of terrorism”. But “Wilders’ film vituperates “that which is sacred to others”. The chairman of the “programme on inter-religious dialogue of the World Council of Churches (Wcc) rev. Shanta Premawardhana, claimed it is “a clear case of islamophobia”. “By using images, the director describes the violence of extremism with no attempt to distinguish it from what Islam is”. A firm condemnation was also expressed by the European “ Religions for Peace” Council. “We must hope and pray – said Secretary General rev. Vebjorn Horsfjord – that this potential crisis in the relations between Muslims and the European population is converted into an opportunity for deeper understanding, respect and dialogue”. The Italian Church. Associating Islam and violence is “an identification which springs from prejudice and ignorance”, were the remarks of Msgr. Vincenzo Paglia, bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia and President of the Episcopal Commission for ecumenism and dialogue. “This of course doesn’t mean there is no violence among Muslims. However, identifying tout court Islam and its faithful with violence, must be avoided”. “In this context, it’s crucial to promote knowledge, not prejudice, which would entail a dangerous lack of responsibility”, he pointed out. “Unfortunately we often witness an instrumental use of religion for purposes that are unrelated to religion. In this perspective we ought to intervene also by implementing the art of dialogue, of encounter, firmly condemning all forms of violence. This requires wisdom and firmess, knowledge and patience”.