Film would make Muhammad cartoon controversy look like ‘a picnic’

From the world of faith, AKA FaithWorld:

Concern is mounting in the Netherlands as the country prepares for a film about the Koran by a far-right populist known for his hostility to Islam. It reached the point last Friday that Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende publicly appealed for restraint. A former Malaysian ambassador in The Hague has said the reaction could make the 2006 Danish cartoon controversy look like “a picnic.”

Geert Wilders, who wants to ban the Koran as a “fascist” book and has warned of a “tsunami of Islamisation” in the Netherlands, has proceeded with the film despite warnings from the Dutch justice and foreign ministers. (We blogged on this last November when the warnings came). It’s not clear when it will be broadcast, but it is expected soon. Wilders has denied reports that it will be shown on Friday Jan. 25. There is already a spoof on YouTube.

We all remember what happened when Theo van Gogh made a film critical of Islam, (he was killed), and when a Danish newspaper published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (other people were killed). I don’t think any ill befell Bill Keller.

But this brouhaha, which embodies a cultural clash in Europe, is certainly worth watching.