I believe that this Wilders just wanted to make a name for himself- either in film or maybe to go into politics later on. For him, even bad press is good press - see how everyone in the world now knows him?
He is as extreme as any other extremists - and sowing hate like this doesn't help anyone.

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Farouk, great article. Before we boycott Dutch Lady (what had she done anyway?), read this article again.

In Christianity, we call Mr Wilders as some one taking scripture out of context. If and should Muslims know their text to the details, no one would be angry at Wilders, but would laughed at his stupdity.

I came across many films that poke fun at Christianity, eg Vinci Code. There is no theological truth to this film - ignore it, no point in geeting angry at Mr Dan Brown. He hadn't disturb me, and my faith hasn't been affected one single bit.

Can Muslims do the same to Mr Wilders, maybe invite him to Malaysia and let him see the stupidity of his film?

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To noyawns above, he is _already_ in politics, he used to be member of the biggest liberal party and after a row he became a 1 seat party, who won more seats after the elections using the fear card. He gave his party a name and embarked on his mission to get rid of the islamisation he sees. The photo's I've seen of protests in Pakistan and Indonesia exactly do what he wants, marching around with his photo and "Kill Geert Wilders" is exactly the response he wanted. It proves his point that Islam can not take any criticism. It is not a smart response. And while some of us know that these protesters are likely just some people who been paid to protest or rallied up by their mosque/imam who most likely did not even see the movie or know what it is about, they been told someone is attacking their faith and given some banners and go out on the streets. But the majority of the West sees this as "see, they're aggressive".

I've been reading Dutch websites with the photo's and the people replied like I lined out above, comments range from;
"Next time they have an earthquake/tsunami/etc I won't donate anymore."
to
"Look at them, they're so aggressive, anyone having any criticism about Islam gets threatened and needs protection."

I am sure that if large groups of real Muslims go out on the streets to protest against the extremists that give them such bad press and bad reputation it will feature on the 8PM news in every Western country. I wonder why it doesn't happen, is the moderate majority scared of the aggressive minority? I urge the real Muslims to go out and show the world what Islam is really about. Do not let these extremists get the momentum and give the world the idea they represent Islam. There is still time to make things better.

In my next post are some links to photo's the west is seeing now, just in case you missed them.

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All the above views are very positive analysis.

Can someone just use your money & produce another movie to rebut each & every single allegations in details.

Show that the violences perpetuated by ‘extremists in the films’ were misquoted & are not true at all.

Surely we have educated muslims scholars who can rebut one & every single allegations backed up by quoting many relevant Surahs in the Koran.

A well documented & unbiased movie should be suffice to dispel doubts & distortions.

The issue is who is courageous & enlightened to produce a unbiased movie to counter the Fitna ?

Syabas. Barisan Rakyat

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My comment with links to the photo's has been submitted for moderation/review by the admin. Lets hope they putthem under my above post/edit this one... (did not know there was any type of moderation/reviewing here, maybe too many links?)

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I just found this blog post, and it is exactly the response the Muslims should not give, read it here: http://revolution.muslimpad.co...e-muslims/

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another door to senseless islam-bashing needlessly opened by someone who should take up his own advise and attend reading classes together with wilders and so- called fundamentalists. cross checking meanings using different verses of the quran according to one's whim and fancy only proves that this man not only contradicts the spirit of his own article, but a blind scholar to boot.

'Thus it is that their recompense is hell, because they disbelieved and held My communications and My messengers in mockery.' - Q18:106

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Malaysia is a Multi racial country.. if this is implemented will this not create segegration. Muslim and Non muslim will moving further apart.

People working in offices, shaking hands, congratulation hugs and so forth.

Khalwat applicable in this time and age......???

http://ourtick.blogspot.com/20...d-age.html

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Farouk, thanks for you to describe it nicely. The mess both sides end up with is due to jumping the sentences before their proper complete reading to the end! And for that reason they should take the whole scriptures as a whole, even tempered with other scriptures before it (as indicated by the Quran of books of old).

Couple that with hot headed peer pressure and these groups think they are holy enough to singularly strike and represent God and Truth. How sad and silly. Allah has promised in the Quran, that He shall reveal all the truth, be it hidden or manipulated. And they should fear if their martyrdom is not accepted due to such technicalities.

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Who is this idiot? Is he a christian or an atheist or whoever... less muslim. He would be called Muslim extremist...but never in other names. Why should we be so apologitic about this idiocricy...defending one's believe is a basic right. If u'd thrown the ball in, it's up to us how we would play it. These ppl never learned.

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The reactions to the film does not appear to be as violent (yet) compared to the other outrageous mis-representations and interpretations of the Holy Koran.

I hope it is because some serious thought is given to the fact that quoting Holy Verses out of context does not provide the justification to condone extremist behaviour.

Pax.

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Will be demos, riots and violence throughout the muslim world soon? If it does, don't blame others for labelling Islam to be a violent religion. Opportunist exist everywhere and it is up to the mislims to put on a show of good behaviour despite being insulted, and show to the world that they are indeed made of thougher stuff.

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Although I do not like to "bash" anyone, I'ld like to ask what is so untrue in the "Fitnah" video? As with everything else, it's probably not perfect & bias but the message is very real. Like RPK once wrote that if the followers of Islam does not display a good example of the religion, then what good does the religion do?

Look at the new proposal to convict non Muslims for khalwat. If Muslims live their way of life without inflicting their values on others, I think not many people care. However, that is not happening & this is the kind of response Muslims will get.

If we take a calm moment to use our mind instead of our emotions & blind faith in an old book, we can hopefully use reason to find a better way. As it stands, not many Muslim nor Christian leaders have done so.

I apologise if I had offended anyone but this is the beauty of the internet. Everyone gets a chance to put forward one's view.

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"hostilities is only for the oppressors"

Too bad the extremists that flock to Europe to live there see the current government as oppressors. Unfortunately it is easy to interpret anything to suit your needs, just like statistics there is always a passage in the Bible or Quran to suit your needs. I find it very appalling that you treat countries that opened their arms to welcome you this way and try to change the total society. Why not integrate and adjust to how things were instead of wanting to change things to the countries they "fled" from in the first place.

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'And fight them on until there is no more fitna and ad-deen is totally for Allah; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.'

Muslims biggest foes are those who commit corruption, fitnah, riba etc!

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europeans r basicaaly @ ground zero when it comes to sprituality,but suka cakap banyak,tunjuk pandai(but they r receptive,dats 4 surea)asians have spritual heritage,tapi tak cakap banyak.hindusism,buddhism,islam,bahaism,christianity,semuanya asal dari mana?yea,asia.democracy,equality,justice,telah wujud di asia,semasa europe still in the dark ages.the summit of metaphysics aka principlas of life n divine still havent been discovered by euopean saints,pilosofers,saintis but asia discovered n recorded,and used it thousands of years ago.

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It's about time Malaysia seriously considered "Inter-Faith" discussions. This was blatantly swept aside by Badawai, and I vehemently was against its' cancellation. Fitna is only one film. It however closely resembles "Islam, What the West needs to know" found at:
http://www.whatthewestneedstoknow.com/


And there is another, called "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" produced by James Cameron found at:
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/tomb/tomb.html

These are just two of the many many many films found on religion. Like I mentioned before, I like the guy called Dr Zakir Naik from Pakistan who made many videos on-line about Islam. Now that is a guy who earns much respect and knows what he is talking about. Let's see our locals match his wit and charm, yet explain with much intellect.



Truly Asia about to go soul-searching......

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@Michael Chick, inter-faith discussions have been held numerous times in the west between Muslim and Christian scholars. Search for Ahmad Deedat and Zakir Naik among others on youtube. I fondly recall a famous debate between the late Deedat and Jimmy Swaggert (an evangelist) in the 80's and the latter was completely pwned.

Even in the west, these debates were sometimes very emotionally-charged and I'm afraid if they were held in Malaysia, the situations could be the same or even worse. The late Deedat once came to Malaysia in 92 (if I'm not mistaken) and when he started to quote verses from the bible during his speech, he was immediately stopped from going further by the chairman.

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Peace be to you, Farouk,

You say that Geert Wilders is utilizing "an excellent strategy" to demonize the Muslims. Strategists very seldom "assume".
They do their homework before giving the impression that they work "without checking".

In my opinion, both Geert Wilders and the Fundamentalists know exactly what they are doing. They are practizing the fine art
of I N S T I G A T I O N.! To be skilled at this art they must be very familiar with the whole. Then and only then can they pick
and choose the verses to achieve their goal - to instigate. They HAVE REad THE BOOK IN FULL! They CHOOSE NOT TO
DELIVER IT IN FULL!

To their credit, the majority of the TARGET POPULATION have NOT TAKEN THE BAIT! I do not see them raging
across the planet by the millions. They have matured.

This art of instigation is now being practized like a BATTERING RAM in our very own Malaysia. The INSTIGATOR and the
VICTIM are locked in deadly battle.


Dear Fellow Bloggers,

I suggest you go to "Geert Wilders - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" to get a brief political history of the man. Then you will
understand better why Muslims abhor this character. "Fitna" is just the tip of the iceberg!

Peace be to you too.

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In other news, the UN rights council passes Islamic resolution on religious defamation.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap...ouncil.php
I wonder what all the "moderate" Islamic countries voted... so much for tolerance and freedoms. As Benjamin Franklin put it; Those who are willing to trade freedom for security deserve neither freedom nor security.

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@Myself above

It adopted the resolution on a 22-7 vote, with 18 abstentions. The no votes included China, Cuba, Russia, Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia and Nicaragua.

Well done Malaysia and Indonesia, isn't Indonesia one of the biggest Muslim countries when it comes to population?

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Combating "Fitna"
By Ibrahim el Houdaiby

Last week, Dutch MP Geert Wilders released his movie Fitna, attacking Muslims and the Quran, amidst wide international worries that airing the movie would only lead to further cross-cultural tensions, and perhaps violence. Influential Muslim figures, including some Salafi Saudi scholars, had threatened to boycott the Netherlands while official figures in Iran threatened to review diplomatic relations with the country if the film was aired. Once again, the overall cross-cultural scene seemed less than promising.

Visit www.wagthedog-malaysia.blogspot.com for details.

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GEERT WILDERS is not a smart fellow. Why?

I just watch the movie FITNA (downloaded it from the nntp newsgroups) and IMHO, the movie could be perceived in two ways:
1) to get the public at large to be disgusted with the barbarous acts of the so-called muslim fundamentalists

BUT

2) the same so-called muslim fundamentalists would be rejoicing over the free publicity that they are getting.

My friends, I think I can safely say that 99.99% of the readers who visit this website are peaceful people, regardless of race or creed. I am sure most of you would be horrified by the images one would see in FITNA. However, would you think take up arms or be involved in some crusade to fight the muslim fundamentalists? I think the answer would be NO. But you would wish that some solution could be found to the problem without bloodshed.

If Geert Wilder thinks that his movie would achieve its aim - whatever that might be - he would be dead wrong. Imagine yourself to be Osama bin Laden or similar personality, I would use the movie as recruitment propaganda. "Look, my brethen, the infidels are being massacred! Look here, my brethen, the infidels are already running scared! See! I told you, we are winning! "

Thats how people like Osama and his kind would see it.

Leaving Geert's rightwing leanings aside, the way forward to a solution is not by nurturing more animosity, not by 'shock & awe bombing' and certainly not by ill-informed people in the West.

The peaceful solution must begin with the muslims, the ummah themselves. The West will never be able to kill Osama and even if they do, there will another 10 or 100 more Osamas. There are so many madrasahs, the perfect breeding place for people like Osama, where would one begin?

Only the ummah can bring peace to the world. Only the ummah can teach their own people not to live under the illusion that their ulamaks, imams, ayatollahs etc have the gift of heaven to tell them how to live their lives.

Only the ummah can regain the glory of Islamic civilization, where once science was a revered path of knowledge and not photographic memory of Quranic verses alone.

Only the ummah can influence their own brethen that violence is not the way.

Only the ummah can acheive peace as only they can find peace within themselves. Look at all the Islamic nations and communities, which one is really successful? Not just in terms of material success but in every sense. Actually none. Almost all live under feudalistic goverments, perhaps the exception being Turkey and now Indonesia and Malaysia. So we cannot change Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan etc. They have to change themselves and move forward with the world. That does not necessarily mean you must ape the West in every way. The ummah can always nurture its own liberal identity unique to the ummah.

If the West and the muslim world continues down the same path of war and animosity, then the only happy individual would be the Devil and Syaitan - for his time has come.

For me, as a Buddhist, its not a big problem - all things come and go, nothing is permanent.

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there r things whic r permenant or real.. what r those "things"?.... btw,only asians must do soul searching ah?western wallah can relek,and continue to spread their version of dharma and sangga?

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What a sad state of affair it is to take something out of context from any of the holy books. May God have mercy on us! Please love your neighbour as you would love yourself.

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I wrote something in my blog recently on this matter.

Democracy includes freedom of speech as one of the main criteria of being democratic. One should be allowed to say anything that cross his or her mind. But are we really free to do it? Are we allowed to rudely talk about religion, culture and races. Well, i guess that if things that you want to tell others(regarding issues i've mentioned) which can results discomfort or rage...just keep it to yourself. It will be much appreciated, i guess.

Making a film about some verses in Al-Quran that caused some Muslim to terrorized certain country is really insulting not only to Muslims but also to people who believes that freedom of speech must spared religion from being ridiculed. Geert Wilder surely aware that the film he produced will spark controversy. Even though he is non Muslim, i am pretty sure that he is at the same level with Muslims who had misinterpreted the word of Allah S.W.T to do damage to society, country and to the world itself. He has found his colleagues now. Geert Wilder is a terrorist using media and 'Freedom of Speech' as his weapon.

The film so called Fitna shows how shallow his understanding about Islam and Al-Quran. I agree that most of the time Muslim did do something foolish that jeopardies the image of this beautiful religion. But, is it a ticket to refer all the foolishness to The Holy Quran? It is like blaming a perfect rules which should refrain anyone from being a criminal but there is criminals. Good education which meant to make everyone educated but there are educated person but sadly foolish. Geert Wilder's brain failed to produce such logic.

The Al-Quran is a guidance for Muslims just like The Bible for Christians. The Muslims believe that it is the word of GOD(Allah S.W.T). The words which can never be argued by anyone.

The six Muslim articles of belief are:

1. Belief in God (Allah), the one and only one worthy of all worship (tawhid).
2. Belief in all the Prophets (Nabi) and Messengers (Rasul) sent by God
3. Belief in the Angels (Mala'ika).
4. Belief in the Al-Quran sent by God.
5. Belief in the Day of Judgment (qiyama) and in the Resurrection (life after death).
6. Belief in Destiny (Fate) (Qada & Qadar).

The 4th article is believe in Al-Quran. And you Geert Wilder had actually attacking the one of the articles of belief. Why we(Muslims) should not be angry with you?

Geert Wilder is a politician. A Dutch right-wing lawmaker. He claimed that he made the film and luckily the tv stations refused to play it. Unfortunately the internet provide him a platform to show to the world his short film. Despite receiving heavy criticism and several serious threats, the film was released and now being watched by the world. It is not easy for him to proceed with the plan of releasing the movie. There must be something behind this 'act'. As a politician, he must have aware about the consequences.

Geert Wilder will see the consequences that had been caused by he himself. 1 out of 1.3 billions of Muslims (Me) decided to boycott all dutch products in Malaysia. A Muslim may not make a difference too much. But how about 1.3 billions of Muslims around the world. You hate Islam simply because some of them terrorized your country and other country and you put the blame to the Holy Quran. Now, i can do the same by boycotting dutch product simply because you are dutch. Hmmmm..No, I will not boycott dutch product simply because you are dutch(That will make me a RACIST). I did it because I do feel that your friends who is supporting you right now will eventually ask you to apologies to all Muslims worldwide. A humble apologies will be accepted right away as a real Muslim is familiar with forgiving.

I love my religion and my country. As a citizen in a multiracial community, i believe that Freedom of Speech should spared religion and culture from being ridiculed or being used to lay hate in the heart of the people.

I am urging my self and my fellow Malaysian friends (Muslims,Buddhists,Hindus,Christians&Others) to boycott the product of Holland.

Sorry if i offended anyone

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