Posted By Syed Tausief Ausaf

March 30, 2008

Either Geert Wilder is mentally unstable or he is a typical Islamophobic politician who thinks that one can become famous overnight by offending 1.3 billion Muslims. After posting on the Internet a sacrilegious film demonising the Holy Quran, he can assure himself that his life and limbs are now in jeopardy forever. His blasphemous movie brazenly tries - by misinterpreting holy verses - to show Quran as a book that promotes violence.

The far-right Dutch MP's misadventure has done the damage beyond repair. Muslims are livid to see a deliberate attempt to insult the Book of God. As a result, innocent and unsuspecting Dutch are in the crosshairs of protesters. Geert would soon know that in his utter foolishness, he has sentenced himself to life in prison. He has joined the league of Islam bashers like Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen who are condemned to live in hiding for the fear of attacks. In 2004, a radical enraged by an anti-Islam movie knifed to death filmmaker Theo van Gogh. Geert - now a marked man - has become a liability on the Dutch government because his round the clock security will be further boosted. It will be an avoidable strain on the Dutch exchequer.

It is regrettable to note that the site, which removed the offensive film after receiving threats to its staff, is seeing it as an attack on freedom of speech. By pulling down the video, Britain-based Liveleak.com has saved its own skin and has done no favour to the critics of the film. If the site managers knew the difference between the freedom of expression and abusing it, they would never cross the red line.

How ridiculous it sounds that the ultra liberal "thinkers" want to exercise their right to offend Muslims but deny the Muslims their right to feel offended. It is like expecting a person not to scream in pain and anger if his belly is repeatedly punched. The controversial film is bound to fan the flames of anger seen all over the world after the publication of offensive cartoons in Danish newspapers. The violent protests last year, which claimed over a 100 lives, cannot be condoned, but it is very difficult - if not impossible - to control emotions when a vile attack is systematically launched on one's faith.

The UN Secretary General's condemnation of Geert's lunacy has assuaged the feelings of Muslims to a certain extent. He and all other sensible world leaders know that the Dutch MP's mischief could not have come at a worse time. The hyphenation between Islam and the West is lengthening by the day, thanks to the knee-jerk reaction of some Western countries in the aftermath of 9/11.

The Press is free to denounce political, social or religious leaders if it finds a fault in their policies. There is a big difference between criticising neo-conservatives for their efforts to create a new world (dis)order and the Holy Book which, according to Islam, was revealed to the Last Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet Mohammed is regarded as a benefactor of humanity, a role model for all and an infallible person whose traditions will show humanity the right path till the end.

The liberty can never be widened as far as mocking the prophets and messengers no matter what religion they belong to. In India, for example, no one can imagine lampooning Rama, Krishna, Nanak, Mahavira, Christ or Buddha. Holy figures including the Prophet Mohammed are treated with utmost respect in the world's largest democracy. Even during worst communal riots in India, people don't resort to making fun of others’ religious beliefs. Such is the beauty of the Indian society, which does become intolerant at times.

The European Union must wake up before the fury over Geert's antics engulfs the whole continent. The extremist Czech nationalist party, which has posted the 15-minute madness with Czech subtitles on its website, should be warned in the strongest terms. No one can be allowed to incite and provoke unrest and intolerance among people of different religious beliefs. YouTube should also show respect for hundreds of millions of its fans and take the film off its site.

Although the Dutch government has distanced itself from the film, it should prepare itself for a wave of calls in the Muslim world to boycott Dutch products. Earlier such appeals had cost Denmark millions of dollars. If Amsterdam is genuinely interested in undoing the wrong, it must immediately arrest the culprit MP and offer an unconditional apology to the followers of Islam. Pope Benedict Rattzinger, supreme leader of Catholics, can also play a vital role in ending the unfortunate divide between Islam and the Christian West by denouncing the calculated insult to one-fifth of mankind.

©  EsinIslam.Com

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