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Dutch anti-Islamic film's Internet site suspended
2008-03-23
An American network provider Sunday said it had suspended a website that Dutch MP Geert Wilders had reserved to post his anti-Islamic film, which has sparked wide condemnation and fears of a backlash. "Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation," the provider said a message posted on the Internet. Although his website is offline, Wilders on Sunday insisted he still wants to put the movie "on the internet quickly" but did not specify how. He also told the Dutch ANP news agency that he would not allow anyone to see the film before it was broadcast. Until Sunday, his site (www.fitnathemovie.com) had shown the cover of a Koran on a black background with the text: "Coming soon: Finta". Network Solutions said it investigating whether the website conforms to its guidelines, saying it cannot allow "any material in violation of any applicable law." This includes material deemed harassing, hate propaganda, threatening, harmful or "otherwise objectionable." The service provider also cites technical reasons for possibly taking the site offline including "excessive use of services which shall impair the fair use of other Network Solutions customers". Far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders plans to release a movie attacking Islam and the Koran, despite complaints from religious groups and warnings that it could provoke violent protests around the world. Wilders said in November that the 15-minute film would show the Koran was a "fascist book", a claim which has already drawn complaints from several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan. No one has seen the film in its entirity yet but a Dutch paper which has seen some of the opening images from the film, said it shows the cover of the Koran and then images of "a decapitation in Iraq, a stoning in Iran and an execution in Saudi Arabia, where sharia (Islamic law) is applied". Dutch officials have unsuccessfully urged him to drop the project, fearing a repeat of the violent protests that erupted in many countries when European newspapers printed cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed. Wilders has said that he will release the film "before April 1", posting it on the Internet because he cannot find a broadcaster willing to carry it. Computer experts have warned that controversy surrounding the movie could cause network mayhem once it is put online, if too many people try to view it at the same time. Wilders has repeatedly stated that the content of his film will not violate Dutch law. On Friday a Dutch Muslim association filed a legal claim asking a court to appoint a panel of censors to view the film before it is aired in order to see if there is a reason to ban it. The court is set to deliver its ruling next Friday but Wilders has said that he would try to release the film before than to avoid having to show it to censors. Dutch film-maker and polemicist Theo Van Gogh was murdered by an Islamic extremist in Amsterdam in 2004 after he made a short film attacking Islam's treatment of women.
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