Dutch protests see website for Islam film deactivated
Protests lead to deactivation of website on which Islam film was to be shown
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Sunday, 23, Mar 2008 11:12
Protests against the release of a film thought to be critical of Islam have led to the deactivation of the website on which the film was to be shown.
At least 1,000 people took part in an Amsterdam demonstration against a new film by Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders, with protesters seen carrying placards reading: "Stop the witch hunt against Muslims."
And after alleged complaints, US-based web hosting company Network Solutions has deactivated the site on which Wilders planned to show his 15-minute film Fitna - a term from the Koran which denotes strife or discord, typically religious.
A message on www.fitnathemmovie.com said: "This site has been suspended while Network Solutions is investigating whether the site's content is in violation of the Network Solutions' acceptable use policy.
"Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation."
Fearing protests similar to those seen in Denmark after the publication of cartoons viewed as offensive to Muslims, the Dutch government has distanced itself from Wilders' views while broadcasters have declined to show it.
Writing in the De Volkskrant newspaper on Saturday, he said his film was "not so much about Muslims as about the Koran and Islam".
"The Islamic ideology has as its utmost goal the destruction of what is most dear to us, our freedom," he added.
"Fitna is the last warning for the West. The fight for freedom has only just begun."
Wilders has received heavy police protection since the Dutch director Theo Van Gogh was murdered by a radical Islamist in 2004.