Fitna (film)

Infobox Film
name = Fitna


image_size =
caption = Title card for Fitna
director = "Scarlet Pimpernel"
producer =
writer = Geert Wilders
"Scarlet Pimpernel"
narrator =
starring =
music = Edvard Grieg
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
cinematography =
editing = "Scarlet Pimpernel"
distributor = Liveleak
released = March 27, 2008
April 6, 2008
runtime = 16:48
country = The Netherlands
language = Dutch
English
Arabic
Persian
budget =
gross =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.fitnathemovie.com/
amg_id =
imdb_id = 1198399

"Fitna" is a 2008 short film by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. Approximately 17 minutes in length, the film shows a selection of Suras from the Qur'an, interspersed with media clips and newspaper clippings showing or describing acts of violence and/or hatred by Muslims. By doing so, the movie wishes to demonstrate that the Qur'an, and the Islamic culture in general, motivates its followers to hate all who violate the Islamic teachings. Consequently, the film argues, Islam encourages, among others, acts of terrorism, antisemitism, sexism and violence against women, and Islamic universalism. A large part of the movie deals with the influence of Islam on the Netherlands.

The film's title, "fitna", is an Arabic term used to describe "disagreement and division among people" or a "test of faith in times of trial".cite news|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=137624|title=Hold your breath: ‘Fitna' spreading seeds of hatred|date=2008-03-29|accessdate=2008-04-01|work=Today's Zaman] Wilders, a prominent critic of Islam, described the movie as "a call to shake off the creeping tyranny of Islamization".cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,324406,00.html|title=Iran Warns Netherlands Not to Air Controversial 'Anti-Muslim' Film|work=FOX News|first=Michael|last=Park|date=2008-01-21|accessdate=2008-03-08]

On March 27 2008, "Fitna" was released to the Internet on the video sharing website Liveleak in Dutch and English versions. The following day, Liveleak removed the film from their servers, citing serious threats to their staff. On March 30, "Fitna" was restored on Liveleak following a security upgrade, only to be removed again shortly afterwards by Wilders himself because of copyright violations. A second edition was released on April 6.

Production

The Friends of the PVV foundation commissioned the film. It contracted a production company credited in the film as "Scarlet Pimpernel Productions", a name adopted for fear of reprisal.cite news|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article524165.ece/Rapper_wil_25.000_euro_van_Wilders|title=Rapper wil 25.000 euro van Wilders|publisher=de Volkskrant|date=2008-04-07|accessdate=2008-04-08|work=Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau|language=Dutch]

Release

The exact nature of "Fitna"'s release had been uncertain up until its official launch. This was due to concerns of the legality of its content and anticipated acts of terrorism. The Dutch press centre [http://www.nieuwspoort.nl/en/general-information.shtml Nieuwspoort] offered to release the film, on the condition that Wilders would pay for the increased security required during the press conference and the weeks after it. Wilders declined to do so, citing prohibitive costs.cite news|url=http://www.pvv.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=932&Itemid=1|title=Wilders ziet af van persconferentie film|language=Dutch|date= 2008-03-12|accessdate=2008-03-12|work=Partij voor de Vrijheid] Cite web|url=http://www.depers.nl/binnenland/180969/Film-Wilders-niet-in-Nieuwspoort.html|title=Film Wilders niet in Nieuwspoort|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=de Pers, Netherlands|date=2008-03-11]

Having failed to successfully negotiate a transmission of the film with any Dutch television station,Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/pr/080229-dutch-press-review|title=Press Review 29 February 2008|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=2008-02-29] Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5672213/Dutch-television-stations-refuse-antiQuran-film|title= Dutch television stations refuse anti-Qur'an film|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=2008-03-06] Cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article510239.ece/Geen_enkele_omroep_wil_film_Wilders_uitzenden|title=Geen enkele omroep wil film Wilders uitzenden|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=de Volkskrant, Netherlands|date=2008-03-05] Wilders created a website, "www.fitnathemovie.com", on March 5, 2008 with the intention of releasing the film.Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5670625/Wilders-film-website-goes-online|title= Wilders' film website goes online|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=de Volkskrant, Netherlands|date=2008-03-05] Cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUKL2243365220080322|title=Dutch protest against Islam critic's Koran film|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-03-22] Cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1437141720080314?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0|title=Dutch draw on past crises to deal with Islam film "Page 2, "As no broadcaster has agreed to show it, it is expected to be released on the Internet on March 28."|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=Reuters|date=2008-03-14] However, this was subsequently suspended (see below).

On March 22, the Dutch Muslim Broadcasting Association (NMO) offered to air the film, on the proviso that it could be previewed for any possible illegal material and that Wilders would take part in a debate with proponents and opponents afterwards. [Cite news|url=http://www.depers.nl/binnenland/184963/Moslimomroep-wil-Fitna-uitzenden.html|title=Moslimomroep kandidaat voor Fitna|date= 2008-03-22|accessdate=2008-03-28|first=Ana|last=Karadarevic|work=De Pers|language=Dutch] Cite web|url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3619543/_Wilders_slaat_aanbod_af__.html|title=Wilders slaat aanbod moslimomroep af|accessdate=2008-03-31|publisher=De Telegraaf, Nederland|date=2008-03-23|language=Dutch] Wilders declined, quoted as saying "No way, NMO." [cite news|url=http://spitsnet.nl/nieuws.php/1/13222/online|title=Wilders: ,,No way, NMO"|date= 2008-03-24|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau]

Wilders released the film on March 27 2008 at 7 p.m. CET on the video website Liveleak.Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/27/islam.film/|title= Dutch lawmaker's film criticizing Islam finds Web host|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=CNN|date=2008-03-27] The following day, Liveleak removed the film from their servers after receiving threats which they described as being "of a very serious nature".Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/28/fitna.reaction/|title= Film critical of Islam dropped from Web site|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=CNN|date=2008-03-28] Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5708071/Threats-push-antiQuran-film-Fitna-offline|title= Threats push anti-Qur'an film Fitna offline|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=2008-03-28] [cite news|url=http://www.informationweek.com/management/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=207000505|title=Anti-Islamic Film Taken Offline Following Threats|first=Thomas|last=Claburn|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=InformationWeek] The film soon appeared on various BitTorrent and video sharing websites. [cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1206632381454&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=The fit over 'Fitna'|date=2008-04-01|accessdate=2008-04-01|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|first=David|last=Shamah]

Liveleak reinstated "Fitna" on March 30, after security upgrades offering increased protection to its staff had been implemented. [cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080401-127615/Anti-Islam-film-back-on-LiveLeak-website|title=Anti-Islam film back on LiveLeak website|date=2008-04-01|accessdate=2008-04-01|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer] Soon after, Wilders withdrew the filmcite news|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200804/CUL20080402b.html|title=YouTube Warned to Remove Koran Film|work=Cybercast News Service|first=Patrick|last=Goodenough|date=2008-04-02|accessdate=2008-04-02] to make some minor edits, such as removing the copyrighted Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoonsCite web|url=http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1377232|title=Dutch Lawmaker to Edit Anti-Quran Film|accessdate=2008-04-02|work=Associated Press|publisher=WTOP-FM|date=2008-04-01|first=Toby|last=Sterling|] and the photograph of Salah Edin, a rapper wrongly identified as Mohammed Bouyeri, in response to lawsuits.cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=4&article_id=90447|title=Far-right Dutch MP will fix errors in 'Fitna' - except its Islamophobia|work=Agence France-Presse|publisher=Daily Star|date=2008-04-01|accessdate=2008-04-02] Kurt Westergaard, the cartoonist, was pleased with the news and believed the lawsuit would be dropped.

A revised edition, containing a new cartoon in place of the contentious one, and a corrected picture of Bouyeri, was released on Liveleak on April 6.Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5721349/Thousands-demonstrate-against-IFitnaI-in-Karachi|title= Thousands demonstrate against Fitna in Karachi|accessdate=2008-04-06|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=2008-04-06]

Plot

The movie shows a selection of Suras from the Qur'an, interspersed with newspaper clippings and media clips with "The Arabian Dance" and "Åses død" as an underscore.cite news|url=http://www.nrc.nl/international/article1028543.ece/Fitna_the_Movie_not_hyperbole_or_metaphor_but_repetition|title=Fitna the Movie: not hyperbole or metaphor but repetition|first=Bas|last=Blokker|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=NRC Handelsblad] cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/FOREIGN/777475524/1003|title='Fitna' premiere fails to shock|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=The Washington Times|first=Leander|last=Schaerlaeckens] [cite news|url=http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/b8de8e630faf3631/id/342114/cs/1/|title=Film by Dutch Islam critic released online|work=Malaysia Sun|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-04-01]

Themes

Wilders said the 15-minute film show how verses from the Qur'an are being used today to incite modern Muslims to behave violently and anti-democratically based on those verses.cite news|title=Koranfilm Wilders heet 'het kwaad'|language=Dutch|url =http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3253921/_Koranfilm_Wilders_heet__het_kwaad___.html?pageNumber=2|work=telegraaf.nl|date=2008-02-09|accessdate=2008-03-08] cite news|url=http://www.spectator.co.uk/print/the-magazine/features/553681/a-filmmaker-who-lives-in-the-shadow-of-a-fatwa.thtml|title=A film-maker who lives in the shadow of a fatwa|first=Douglas|last=Murray|work=Spectator.co.uk|date=2008-03-12|accessdate=2008-03-24] [cite mailing list | url=http://www.pvv.nl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=931&Itemid=1 |last = | first = | authorlink = | title = Nieuwsbrief Maart | mailinglist = Nieuwsbrief - Partij voor de Vrijheid (The PVV)| date = 2008-03-11 | accessdate = 2008-03-11] He later described the film as “a call to shake off the creeping tyranny of Islamization,” and a push for a "Leitkultur", a culture that “draws on Christian, Jewish, humanistic traditions and that poses a challenge to the Islamic problem.”cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,544347,00.html|title=SPIEGEL Interview with Dutch Populist Geert Wilders: 'Moderate Islam Is a Contradiction'|date=2008-03-31|accessdate=2008-03-31|first=Gerald|last=Traufetter|work=Der Spiegel]

The Qur'an and Terrorism

The film starts with a warning to the viewer that the movie contains "very shocking images".cite news|url=http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/explosive-dutch-koran-film-goes-online/|title=Explosive Dutch Koran Film Goes Online|first=Michael|last=van der Galien|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=Pajamas Media] A caricature of the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb on his head is shown next to a timer counting down from 15 minutes. [cite news|url=http://www.enews20.com/news_Dutch_Film_Against_Islam_Posted_on_Web_06828.html|title=Dutch Film Against Islam Posted on Web|first=Junia|last=Mink|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=eNews 2.0]

Suras are juxtaposed to video clips of Imams stating Islamic teaching, and videos of violent atrocities committed in the name of Islam, including major terrorist attacks. [cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/controversy-as-antiislam-film-spreads-across-internet/2008/03/28/1206207408587.html|title=Controversy as anti-Islam film spreads across internet|first=Gregory|last=Crouch|date=2008-03-29|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=The Sydney Morning Herald]

The first Sura of the film, Al-Anfal verse 60Cite quran|8|60|expand=no, is translated as: Quote|"Prepare for them whatever force and cavalry ye are able of gathering, to strike terror, to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies, of Allah and your enemies."Footage of the September 11 attacks are shown, followed by the Madrid train bombings. [cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/28/netherlands.islam|title=Dutch await reaction after MP releases film on Qur'an|first=Toby|last=Sterling|work=Associated Press|publisher=The Guardian|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-27] An unidentified Imam rises above the smoke and declares "Allah is happy when non-muslims get killed." Stills taken from the 7 July 2005 London bombings show an exploded bus and the underground train.

The next Sura, An-Nisa verse 56Cite quran|4|56|expand=no, is shown as a justification for Islamic antisemitism. Sheikh Bakr Al-Samarai is shown raising a sword while declaring: "If Allah permits us, oh nation of Mohammed, even the stone will say Oh Muslim. A Jew is hiding behind me, come and cut off his head. And we shall cut off his head! By Allah, we shall cut it off! Oh Jews! Allahu Akbar! Jihad for the sake of Allah!"cite web|url=http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sr&ID=SR01303|title=Friday Sermons on Iraqi TV: October 2002 - March 2003|first=Steven|last=Stalinsky|date=2008-04-04|accessdate=2008-03-30|work=MEMRI] An auditorium of several hundred people respond with approving chants and fist shaking.cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/125728|title=Arutz Sheva Posts Censored "Fitna" Movie Explaining Islam|first=Hillel|last=Fendel|work=Israel National News|date=2008-03-30|accessdate=2008-04-03]

Following this, a three year old Muslim girl, says that Jews are "apes and pigs"cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,543853,00.html|title=Right-Wing Populist Wilders Releases Anti-Koran Film|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=Der Spiegel] because "Allah" said so "in the Qur'an"cite web|url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2005/01/allahs_special_little_apes_and.html|title=Allah's special little apes and pigs|first=James|last=Arlandson|work=The American Thinker|date=2005-01-26|accessdate=2008-03-31] in an interview on Iqraa TV.Cite web|url=http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/924.htm|title=3-Year-old Egyptian Basmallah: Jews Are Apes and Pigs|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=memritv.org|date=2002-05-07] More antisemitism is shown by an unidentified Imam, who says: "The Jews are Jews. They are the ones who must be butchered and killed."cite news|url=http://www.marksilverberg.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Appeasement&article=207|title=Why the Dutch are Wrong|first=Mark|last=Silverberg|date=2008-03-30|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=International Analyst Network] Child soldiers are shown holding guns in uniform.

Sura 47, verse 4Cite quran|47|4|expand=no is shown in relation to the murder of Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh, committed by Mohammed Bouyeri. Bouyeri is reported as saying: "If I had the opportunity to get out of prison, and I had the opportunity to do it again, what I did on November 2nd, Allah I would have done exactly the same."cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article543212.ece|work=The Times|title=Muslim radical confesses to Van Gogh killing in court tirade|date=2005-07-12|accessdate=2008-03-29|first=Anthony|last=Browne] Protesters are shown supporting Van Gogh's murder, warning others to heed the lesson or "pay with your blood".

Dutch newspaper headlines are reproduced, outlining intimidating threats of murder to prominent critics of Islam, followed by footage of Eugene Armstrong's beheading. Armstrong's decapitated head is shown held up by Al-Qaeda terrorists.Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/20/international/middleeast/20CND-IRAQ.html|title=Militants in Iraq Behead U.S. Hostage and Threaten 2 Others|accessdate=2008-03-30|publisher=The New York Times|date=2004-09-20] Cite web|url=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4184575793195363828|title=Clip of Eugene Armstrong beheading|accessdate=2008-03-30|format=Google Video|date=2007-05-20|work=Abu Musab al-Zarqawi] cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,543378,00.html|title=Taking a Cue from the Danish Cartoon Scandal|first=Jyette|last=Klausen|work=Der Spiegel|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-30]

The Qur'an as a Means for Islamic Universalism

Sura 4, verse 89Cite quran|4|89|expand=no is heard, and translated here as: Quote|"They but wish that ye should reject faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing as they, so take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah. But if they turn renegades, seize them and kill them wherever ye find them, and take no friends or helpers from their ranks." This is shown through a Vox pop: "If someone converts to Christianity, he deserves the death penalty," which refers to the punishment of death for apostasy in Islam. An unidentified Imam declares: "Islam is (more) superior than the Jews, than the Christians, than the Buddhists, than the Hindus. The only (law) Allah accepts is Islam.Fact|date=March 2008" A short video clip shows ethnic Albanians attacking a Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo during the 2004 unrest.Cite web|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewSpecialReports.asp?Page=%5CSpecialReports%5Carchive%5C200508%5CSPE20050815a.html|title=Persecution of Kosovo Christians Said to Reveal Larger Threat|accessdate=2008-03-30|publisher=Cybercast News Service|date=2005-08-15]

Headlines concerning assaults and death threats to former Muslims Ehsan Jami, Salman Rushdie and Ayaan Hirsi Ali are shown.

The final Sura used in the film is Sura 8, verse 39Cite quran|8|39|expand=no: Quote|"Fight them until there is no dissension, and the religion is entirely Allah's."cite news|url=http://www.bosnewslife.com/middle-east/egypt/3527-news-alert-christians-anxious-as-fitna-film-i|title=NEWS ALERT: Christians Anxious As Fitna Film Is Posted Online|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-29|work=BosNewsLife News Agency]

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran is quoted as saying:

is seen speaking to a congregation. He says: "We have ruled the world before, and by Allah, the day will come when we will rule the entire world again! The day will come when we will rule America. The day will come when we rule Britain and the entire world!"cite news|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/125728|title=Arutz Sheva Posts Censored "Fitna" Movie Explaining Islam|first=Hillel|last=Fendel|date=2008-03-30|accessdate=2008-04-01|work=Israel National News] Abdul Rahman Saleem speaks in English: "You will take over the USA! You will take over the UK! You will take over Europe! You will defeat them all! You will get victory! You will take over Egypt! We trust in Allah!"cite news|url=http://hstoday.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2603&Itemid=128|title=Web Host Bans Film on Islamists|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-29|first=Anthony|last=Kimery|work=Homeland Security Today] Demonstrators outside the Danish embassy to Britain are shown holding signs that read: "Islam will dominate the world" and "Freedom go to hell".cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article36702.ece|title=Cartoon protests hit UK|date=2006-02-03|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=The Sun] Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4682262.stm|title=Cartoon protest slogans condemned|accessdate=2008-03-31|publisher=BBC|date=2006-02-05]

Islam and the Netherlands

The final segment of the film deals with issues related to Islam in the Netherlands, under the heading: "The Netherlands under the spell of Islam".cite news|url=http://worldnews.about.com/b/2008/03/28/dutch-politician-releases-anti-quran-film-online.htm|title=Dutch Politician Releases Anti-Quran Film Online|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-30|first=Jennifer|last=Brea|work=About.com] These issues include opposition to democracy, Islamic views on homosexuality and women's treatment in Islam.cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gbdWDY3d2pIF8SJM8-HhVKSIJz3wD8VMMVG80|title=Muslims Denounce Film Critizing Islam|first=Toby|last=Sterling|date=2008-03-29|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=Associated Press]

An unidentified person claims that "The mosque will be part of the system of the government of Holland", in an apparent refusal to accept liberal democracy. Wilders juxtaposes a newspaper headline "Cabinet: no ban on burqa" against a Muslim woman fully covered up. A graph illustrating the number of Muslims in Holland since 1909 is shown against a background of Muslim women.cite news|url=http://www.huliq.com/55136/antiislam-movie-fitna-leaked-online|title=Anti-Islam Movie Fitna Leaked Online|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-29|work=HULIQ] Dutch police are shown removing their shoes before entering a mosque. A Dutch Muslim expresses his desire to enact an honor killing if his mother or sister commits "zina", the Islamic concept of extramarital sex. Another condemns homosexuality, saying "Islam considers something like that a crime."

A postcard is shown, ostensibly from Holland, with pictures of mosques in place of visitor attractions, with the words "Groeten uit Nederland" (Greetings from The Netherlands) superimposed.cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,543864,00.html|title=Wilders Sparks Political Protest|first=Gerald|last=Traufetter|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=Der Spiegel]

Audio recordings that are said to have been taken from mosques in Holland show Imams denouncing political parties, "worldly concepts like liberalism [and] democracy." Another states that adulterers must be "stoned" to death. A graphic image of gays being hanged, under Sharia lawCite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article546754.ece|title=Public execution for the teenagers convicted of rape|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=The Times, London|date=2005-07-22] is a depiction of a possible future dystopian Holland. Children of Shia muslims are shown with blood covering their faces,cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=547915&in_page_id=1811|title=Dutch politician releases film on the internet attacking Islam|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-30|work=Daily Mail] cite news|url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=dutch-mp-launches-anti-ko|title=Dutch MP launches anti-Koran film online|work=Reuters|publisher=Scientific American|date= 2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-27|first=Emma|last=Thomasson] having been cut with knives by older people as per the tradition of the Day of Ashura. A series of clips show Female genital cutting,cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23444763-23109,00.html|title=Dutch MP posts anti-Islam film|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=News Limited] cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idINIndia-32721720080327?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0|title=Dutch MP launches anti-Koran film on Internet - party|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-27|work=Reuters|first=Emma|last=Thomasson] a decapitated woman's head lying on a floor,cite news|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DBA6F1A2-E0B1-4E1E-BA92-6E19BFCEE98B.htm|title=Dutch Quran film website shut down|date=2008-03-22|accessdate=2008-03-31|work=Al Jazeera English] and a woman dressed in a burqa being shot through the head by a man. [cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032703722.html?hpid=moreheadlines|title=Online, a Violent View of Islam|first=Molly|last=Moore|work=Washington Post|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-30]

Finally, a succession of newspaper headlines are shown, containing stories related to Islam in the Netherlands, their views, actions, ambitions and politics. Some verified headlines are:
*"Sudanese demand execution of British 'miss teddy bear'" (see Sudanese teddy bear blasphemy case)
*"Almost half of young Moroccans anti-western"Cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article319760.ece/Bijna_helft_jonge_Marokkanen_antiwesters|title=Bijna helft jonge Marokkanen antiwesters|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=De Volkskrant, Nederland|date=2006-06-14]
*"Moroccans throw gay in water"Cite web|url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/64274861/Marokkanen_gooien_homo_in_het_water.html|title=Marokkanen gooien homo in het water|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=De Telegraaf, Nederland|date=2007-05-25]
*"Throw gays from tall buildings"Cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article179512.ece|title=Islam-gids: 'Gooi homo's van hoge gebouwen'|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=De Volkskrant, Nederland|date=2004-04-22]
*"Al-Qaeda proclaims death penalty Jihad against Wilders"Cite web|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/5660323/Wilders-death-threats-confirmed|title= Wilders death threats confirmed|accessdate=2008-03-28|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|date=2008-02-27]

The movie ends with a hand seen gripping a page of the Qur'an and a call to action from Wilders to defeat “Islamic ideology”, likening it to Communism and Nazism. [cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f422f4d8-fc68-11dc-9229-000077b07658.html|title=Dutch MP releases anti-Koran film|first=Michael|last=Steen|work=Financial Times|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-28] cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/27/islam.film/|title=Dutch lawmaker's film criticizing Islam finds Web host|first=Samira|last=Simone|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-28|work=CNN]

uras

The following Suras are mentioned in "Fitna" in order of appearance:cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4544952&page=1|title=Uproar Over Anti-Islam Film Falls Flat|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-29|first=Rehab|last=El-Buri|work=ABC News]

Differences between First and Second Release

The first edition used copyrighted Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons without permission. These were removed from the second edition.

Also in the first edition of the film, and removed from the second edition,when referring to the murder of Theo van Gogh a picture of the Dutch rapper Salah Edin is displayed instead of the murderer Mohammed Bouyeri. [cite web|url=http://bieslog.vpro.nl/programma/bieslog/news.jsp?news=39416628|language=Dutch|title=Bieslog - DE film (2)|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-27|work=VPRO] cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,543855,00.html|title=Koranfeindliches Video veröffentlicht - Protest gegen Rechtspopulist Wilders|language=German|first=Gerald|last=Traufetter|work=Der Spiegel|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-27] [cite news|url=http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/3347-fitna-much-ado-about-nothing|title=Fitna, Much ado about nothing?|work=Menassat|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-03-28|author=Al-Tahawy, Amira|coauthors=Sandels, Alexandra; Barotta, Rita; Van Langendonck, Gert] The picture was shot for the rapper's album 'Nederlands Grootste Nachtmerrie' (Netherlands' Worst Nightmare), which according to the singer's website, was shot to be 'exactly like the mugshot of convicted killer Mohamed B'. [cite news|url=http://3voor12.vpro.nl/artikelen/artikel/34627842|title=Salah Edin legt toch eed af in treinkrant DAG|language=Dutch|date=2007-05-10|accessdate=2008-03-27|first=Robert|last=Lagendijk|work=VPRO] A 2007 article by Dutch newspaper De Dag had captioned an article about the killer with the shot. On that occasion, Salah Edin's received an out-of-court libel settlement for the publication. [http://www.salahedin.com/news_iframe.php "News"] – page on Salah Edin's website.] The photo was said by the rapper to be intended to depict "the way the average white Dutch citizen sees me, as a young Moroccan Muslim radical. That's why I chose to do this picture and use it for the front cover of my album. It is in no way supporting the deeds of Mohamed B". Edin has accepted a settlement of €25,000 for copyright infringement. [cite news|url=http://www.nieuwsfeit.nl/content/view/7495/43/|title=Salah Edin niet akkoord met correctie ”Fitna”|date=2008-04-08|accessdate=2008-04-10|language=Dutch|work=NieuwsFeit]

Reaction

International reaction to "Fitna" consisted of condemnation in the international community, a Fatwā by Al-Qaeda against Geert Wilders, and attempts by Southeast Asian countries to censor the film.Cite web|url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/3405995/_Jihad_tegen_Wilders__.html?p=1,1|title=Jihad tegen Wilders|accessdate=2008-04-03|publisher=De Telegraaf, Netherlands|date=2008-02-27|language=Dutch] cite web|url=http://www.nisnews.nl/public/280208_5.htm|title='Al Qaeda Fatwa against MP Wilders'|date=2008-02-28|accessdate=2008-03-08|work=NIS News Bulletin] The Dutch government immediately distanced itself from the film.cite news|url=http://www.minaz.nl/english/News/Press_releases_and_news_items/2008/Maart/Government_s_reaction_to_Wilders_film|title=(Dutch) Government's reaction to Wilders' film|date=2008-03-27|accessdate=2008-03-27|work=Ministry of General Affairs] Several Muslim organizations and political parties have organized boycotts against Dutch products.cn|date=June 2008

Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country, has conducted a ban on several web sites, such as YouTube, MySpace, Rapidshare and Metacafe, as directed by the Ministry of Communications and Informations. [cite news|url=http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2008/4/6/indonesian-internet-providers-start-blocking-dutch-film-report/|title=Indonesian Internet providers start blocking Dutch film: report|date=2008-04-06|accessdate=2008-04-09|work=ANTARA] On April 11, the Indonesian government lifted the ban. Indonesian communications minister Muhammad Nuh apologised to the public for the inconvenience.cite news|url=http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/toekangit/post.htm?id=63003134&t=tag|title=The end of the YouTube drama in Indonesia|first=Budi|last=Putra|work=CNET Networks|date=2008-04-14|accessdate=2008-04-13] cite news|url=http://www.betanews.com/article/Indonesia_lifts_its_YouTube_ban/1207942109|title=Indonesia lifts its YouTube ban|work=BetaNews|date=2008-04-11|accessdate=2008-04-13|first=Tim|last=Conneally]

Geert Wilders' film failed to generate much controversy in Iran although the government did express its outrage on the day of its release and conservative websites complained about it for a while. By and large, Fitna elicited indifference among the general public. There was an anti-Fitna demonstration, but just 30 people turned up and they were carrying signs that had nothing to do with the film. [ [http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/middleeast/080529-iran-fitna Iran's anti-Wilders film lacks controversy] ]

In response to the movie on Sunday March, 30 an op-ed by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, was printed in the Arabic Newspaper Asharq al Awsat. In the article, he asks of the readers to "keep the head cool and the relations warm". He urges the need of dialogue, instead of provocation, as a means to bridge the differences between cultures. [ [http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article521055.ece Verhagen schrijft opiniestuk in Arabische krant] Volkskrant, 30 maart 2008]

On April 1 2008, a debate was held about the movie in the Dutch parliament. In this debate, the government and Geert Wilders accused each other of lying about facts of their previous communication. According to various members of the government, Wilders had told in previous conversations about his intentions to tear parts out of the Qur'an and setting them on fire. Wilders denied this. [ [http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=6794707&md5=d54613a59b56e8b197637a16ceb3c1e2 "Den Haag Vandaag: debat Fitna"] NOS/VARA/NPS]

Legal actions

One of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons was included in the film without the permission of the artist, Kurt Westergaard. Westergaard has asserted that this infringes his copyright and is considering taking legal action against Wilders. [ [http://jp.dk/indland/article1304495.ece "JP-tegner klar til sag mod Wilders"] , Jyllands-Posten, 27 maart 2008] .

Various Dutch people filed an official complaint against the movie, after it was released. The Dutch Ministry of Justice is determining whether any statutes will be broken by the publishing of the film. According to some experts, prosecution is without merit, because Wilders has been aware in advance of legal possibilities and impossibilities. [ [http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article520472.ece/Direct_na_uitkomen_aangifte_tegen_film Direct na uitkomen aangifte tegen film] , De Volkskrant, 28 maart 2008]

Jordan is preparing a criminal case against Wilders, noting that it might be considerable time before an indictment is issued [http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/06/wilders_may_face_arrest_by_jor.php] . Meanwhile, the groups making the complaint (The Messenger of Allah Unites Us [ [http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2008/06/wilders_may_face_arrest_by_jor.php] ] ) have urged the boycotting of Dutch products, and blame The Hague for not indicting Wilders themselves for inciting hatred of Islam. Less than a month later, the chief prosecutors in Amsterdam issued statements to the effect that Wilders will not be indicted on incitement to hatred charges within the Netherlands. Chief prosecutor Leo De Wit further noted that the content was "offensive to Muslims, but that they had to be taken in the context of the political debate around Islam in the Netherlands". De Wit concluded, "we find Wilders' remarks were limited to Islam as a religious movement" [http://www.expatica.com/nl/articles/news/Jordan-to-prosecute-Wilders-on-Fitna.html] . Dutch foreign affairs minister Maxime Verhagen has ordered an analysis of the risks faced by the MP, noting the possibility that Wilders, while abroad, could be arrested and deported to Jordan at the latter's request.

Contra Movies

On March 28 a contra-movie was released by the Arab European League, named Al Mouftinoun. [ [http://netherland.arabeuropean.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=1 AEL Nederland: De Arabisch-Europese Liga lanceert film] ] There was also a call to submit a contra-movie to a special Geert Wilders Film festival. [ [http://www.geertwildersfilmfestival.nl/ call for Geert Wilders movie festival] ] The movie Ashkar [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmhxYjxgDZE Ashkar on YouTube (in Dutch)] ] was declared winner on May 3rd 2008. [ [http://headlines.nos.nl/forum.php/list_message/54396?data%5Bsource%5D=rss NOS - Ashkar wins Geert Wilders festival] ] A Saudi blogger made a contra-movie in April, named Schism. [cite web| publisher=Kuwait Times| date=11 April 2008| url=http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTIxODc2ODY5Nw | title=Schism counters Fitna | date=2008-04-11 | accessdate=2008-04-14]

ee also

*Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
*"Al Mouftinoun", a reaction to "Fitna" by the Arab European League.
*"Beyond Fitna", a reaction to "Fitna" by "NGO Islam and Christianity".
*"", a documentary critical of Islam.
*"", a documentary critical of Islam.
*"Submission", a film critical of Islam by Theo van Gogh and Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
*"Undercover Mosque", a British documentary on hate-preaching at mosques.

References

External links

* [http://www.fitnathemovie.com/ Original official website of "Fitna"] (suspended)
* [http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Fitna_anti-islam_movie_by_Geert_Wilders Original English and Dutch versions] at Wikileaks
*Second [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=216_1207467783 English] and [http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=18b_1207466634 Dutch] versions at Liveleak
* [http://creepingsharia.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/fitna-transcript-from-creepingsharia.pdf Transcript] at "Creeping Sharia"