Article by Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen Published in newspaper aSharq alAwsat on March 30, 2008
A member of Parliament for an opposition party that represents a small proportion of Dutch voters has made a critical film about the Koran, a book that is sacred to roughly 1.2 billion Muslims. The announcement of this film was for months the cause of considerable disquiet and discussion in the Netherlands and the rest of the world. On Thursday 27 March the film was released on the internet. It shows images of atrocities and blames them on Islam and the Koran.
Let me begin by emphasising that these views do not in any way reflect the perspective or policy of the Dutch government. The Dutch government condemns terrorist attacks, whether they are committed in the name of Islam or other religions or for any other motive. Terror must never be a means to pursue any goal. But Islam must not be equated with the commission of atrocities. The vast majority of Muslims condemn extremism and violence, of which many Muslims are also the victims. The Dutch government emphatically dissociates itself from this film because of its invidious generalisations and its polarising effect.
Islam has a clearly visible place in Dutch society. There are more than 800,000 people in the Netherlands with roots in the Islamic world, about 5.3% of our population. In recent decades, Islam in all its diversity has had many opportunities to flourish as a religion within the limits of the law. Islamic institutions, associations, media and schools have become familiar features of our country. Over 450 mosques have been built on Dutch soil. This development reflects the well-established Dutch tradition of religious tolerance. Muslims make a major contribution to dialogue within Dutch society, notably through their participation in consultative bodies. Two members of the Dutch government have roots in the Islamic world: Ahmed Aboutaleb, State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment, and Nebahat Albayrak, State Secretary for Justice. I mention these facts to show that in general, Muslims in the Netherlands work together well and live in harmony with non-Muslims. The Dutch government is heartened by the balanced initial responses to the film’s release from Muslim organisations in the Netherlands.
There is no point in trying to disguise the fact that contact with other cultures, customs and faiths is exacerbating tensions. On the contrary, it is good to discuss these tensions openly and frankly. The question is, however: how should we deal with these tensions? How can we bridge the differences? The Alliance of Civilisations, an initiative of the Turkish and Spanish governments, provides governments and civil society organisations with a forum to search together for constructive responses. I warmly welcome this initiative. That is why the Netherlands has since the outset been one of the countries that support the Alliance in principle and practice. This film has the opposite aim: instead of offering a constructive response to the challenges we face today, it is spreading fear and turning different groups against each other.
We should condemn not religions, but rather people and groups who abuse religion to achieve their ends through violence. Islam is not the problem. Muslims, Christians and people with other convictions can coexist in complete harmony. The problem is not religion, but the abuse of religion to spread hatred and intolerance.
It makes no sense to see the world in terms of a ‘clash of civilisations’. We should focus instead on what we have in common, and on how despite our differences we can live together in peace on the basis of shared universal convictions. Dialogue, not provocation, is the way forward. There is no need for us to shy away from criticising one another, but we should formulate and respond to criticisms respectfully. Criticism, even wounding criticism, can never justify aggression and threats.
Freedom of religion is a universal human right, a right guaranteed by the Dutch Constitution. This right must not be eroded. Freedom of religion means freedom to profess one’s own religion, but also the duty to respect other people’s religious or philosophical convictions. It goes without saying that Muslims in the Netherlands enjoy freedom of religion. The Dutch Constitution also protects freedom of expression. This means that all the inhabitants of the Netherlands can publicly express their views without prior permission from the authorities. There is no censorship in the Netherlands. Whoever has criticisms of the doctrines of a specific religion has the right to express them. Only the courts can determine whether the law has been broken after utterances have been made.
However, I would not interpret freedom of expression as a licence to insult other people at will. Everyone has the responsibility to show respect for the rights and reputations of others. The Dutch government repeatedly drew the attention of the politician in question to the possible consequences of his film and appealed to his sense of responsibility. The Dutch government regrets that he nonetheless decided to release this film. The film serves no purpose whatsoever other than to trample on people’s feelings.
Further polarisation is in no one’s interests. Our top priority is to ensure that there is enough space to engage in dialogue, on the basis of mutual respect and the principles of the rule of law. The Dutch government will pursue an open, mature dialogue and cooperation among the communities in the Netherlands and among societies internationally. I trust that we will not let the film distract us from this shared responsibility. Let us keep a cool head while preserving the warmth of our relationships.
Maxime Verhagen is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Link to article on website: 
http://www.asharqalawsat.com/leader.asp?section=3&article=464717&issueno=10715
Statement of Prime Minister J.P. Balkenende on March 27, 2008
On behalf of the Dutch government, I would like to respond to the online film by Mr Wilders.
The film shows images of violent acts and holds Islam and the Koran responsible for them. The government condemns such acts and those who commit them.
The film equates Islam with violence. We reject this interpretation. The vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and violence. In fact, the victims are often also Muslims.
We therefore regret that Mr Wilders has released this film. We believe it serves no purpose other than to cause offence. But feeling offended must never be used as an excuse for aggression and threats. The government is heartened by the initial restrained reactions of Dutch Muslim organisations.
Muslims, Christians and people of other convictions can easily live together in peace. The problem is not religion, but misuse of religion to sow hatred and intolerance. That is why we are calling for respect for everyone’s deepest convictions.
We are aware of the concerns and the sentiments about this film in the international Muslim community. We have recently spoken with many people at home and abroad to promote mutual understanding. We will continue to follow this course.
The Dutch government stands for a society in which freedom and respect go hand in hand. Such a society demands dedication and commitment. We oppose extremism. Anyone who breaks the law is dealt with firmly. Let us solve problems by working together. Let us reach out to others and build confidence and trust. Let us conquer prejudice. We shall surely succeed.
Statement of the Dutch Foreign Ministry
The Hague, Netherlands
March 20, 2008
A great deal of attention has been focused on the internet film about the Koran planned by Dutch Member of Parliament Geert Wilders. The planned film is also leading to questions about the position of Muslims in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is mentioned, for instance, in the Organisation of the Islamic Conference’s report on Islamophobia, which was discussed at the Conference’s summit in Dakar on 13 and 14 March 2008.
The Dutch FORUM Institute for Multicultural Development has drawn up a report with facts and figures on the position of Muslims in the Netherlands (www.forum.nl/pdf/factbook-islam-en.pdf). FORUM, a non-governmental organisation that is independent of the Government, has sent the report to the OIC chairman.
Responsibility for the facts and figures presented in the report lies not with the Dutch Government, but with FORUM as a non-governmental organisation
Statement of the Dutch Foreign Ministry
The Hague, Netherlands
March 5, 2008
Dutch Government fundamentally disagrees with opinion of mr WildersOIC ambassadors received by Dutch GovernmentThe Dutch government shares the concerns that have been raised over the past weeks about the possible release of a film by parliamentarian Mr Wilders.
Mr Wilders does not represent the opinion of the Dutch government on this issue. Nor does his conception of Islam represent the perspective or policy of the Dutch government in any way.
All people in the Netherlands have the right to express their opinions without the prior consent of the authorities. This is one of the most valued rights in Dutch society. The person exercising this freedom however has the responsibility for how it is exercised. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs urged Mr Wilders last week [on February 29] to take this into account.
Taking into account the Dutch constitution the government sees no possibilities to prohibit the film before broadcasting. After the film has been broadcast, the government will investigate the possibility that Mr Wilders has committed criminal offences and the Public Prosecution Service will take a decision whether or not to prosecute.
Islam is an important factor in how people define their own identity and the identity of others. Political differences are being presented increasingly as expressions of religious differences. This has led some to see Islam as a threat. Obviously this is wrong. Nobody gains anything by blaming a religion for violence and oppression. People, not religions, are responsible.
Muslims play an active part in Dutch society: two members of the Dutch government are Muslims. The Muslim community in the Netherlands has proven its maturity and its awareness of the context in which debate takes place in our country.
The Dutch government respects all religions, including Islam, and it will continue to combat hatred, discrimination and intolerance, as well as extremists on all sides.
On Wednesday [March 5] the ambassadors of the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Countries accredited to the Netherlands have been informed of our views. We expect all governments to take their responsibility in protecting Dutch citizens, property and institutions. We must all do our best to help de-escalate the situation.
February 29, 2008
Statement made by the Netherlands Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende on the announced film “Fitna” which is made by a Dutch member of Parliament of an opposition party. The public statement was made after the meeting of the council of ministers on the 29th of February 2008
The Netherlands upholds the principles of freedom and respect. People deserve respect for what matters to them most, their beliefs and their identity. Constitutional liberties must be defended; extremism and terrorism must be resisted.
At this moment none of us knows the content of the film that Mr Wilders has announced. Nevertheless, it is clearly eliciting exceptionally strong reactions. We condemn all threats, including those that have been made against Mr Wilders. We call on governments to uphold the principles of international law, such as the obligation it enshrines to protect foreign interests, nationals and businesses.
At the same time, it is our responsibility to make clear to everyone that the views and actions of this one elected representative are not those of the government. We defend the core values of freedom and respect. We guarantee freedom of expression and of religion, for Muslims as for everyone else. We are trying day by day to ensure that all the groups that make up the population of the Netherlands can live and work together peacefully. The government thus has a very different standpoint from Mr Wilders in this matter; we fundamentally disagree with him.
Every one of us, ministers and elected representatives, in the Netherlands and abroad, has a responsibility to constantly weigh the consequences of what we say. We are guaranteed the right to express ourselves freely within the limits set by the law. This right is precious to us, and we will defend it uncompromisingly.
We call on everyone in the coming days and weeks to act both freely and responsibly, bearing in mind all the consequences that their actions may have, without endangering the things that we all hold dear.
It was and is our responsibility to draw Mr Wilders’ attention to the possible consequences of his deeds. Freedom does not absolve anyone from responsibility. Already we are having to take account of serious threats to Dutch people and Dutch interests in a number of countries. We have the duty to point this out to Mr Wilders. This is why we are speaking out today: because we care about the safety of Dutch nationals and businesses in other countries. About the Dutch armed forces, who are carrying out important missions. And about the interests of the Netherlands in the broadest sense, the values for which we stand and our international reputation. We call on Mr Wilders to bear all this in mind as he considers his course of action.
18 January 2008
Dutch Prime Minister discusses preparations for possible Wilders film
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands said today that his government is preparing for the possible repercussions in the Netherlands and abroad of the broadcast of MP Geert Wilders’ planned film. The Prime Minister said the following:
“Today the cabinet addressed the debate surrounding MP Geert Wilders’ plan to produce a film about his views on Islam and the Koran. As the content of the film is unknown, there is no way of making an informed judgment about the work.
It has become apparent that concerns exist, both here and abroad, that the film could be offensive, potentially inviting heated reactions that could affect public order, public safety and security, and the economy. As you are aware, the government is preparing for the possible repercussions that the broadcast of the film could have, internationally as well as domestically. In this way we are shouldering our responsibility, just as we would in other circumstances.
Over the past several days and weeks, news of the film has prompted the expression of strongly worded opinions, in the Netherlands and elsewhere, which could be perceived as offensive and threatening by both sides of the debate. The government will not tolerate such a situation. We are engaged in combating extremism and terrorism. We are working to right wrongs. We champion the cause of both freedom and respect. These are principles we will always defend. This country enjoys a long tradition of freedom of expression, religion and belief. This country also has a tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility. Maliciously offending a certain population group or those who profess a certain belief has no part in this tradition, which prizes free and unrestricted debate and mutual respect. The government will honour these traditions and calls upon everyone to do the same.”
The 2008 edition of the European Union Film Festival will take place from April 1 to 30th in 5 cities in India. Attached please find the synopsis of the film, information on the filmmaker and two photographs on the Dutch film Waiter (Ober). Below is the schedule of the screening of the Dutch film in different cities with details on the scheduled time and location:
European Union Film Festival 2008
The 2008 edition of the European Union Film Festival will take place from April 1 to 30th in 5 cities in India. Below is the schedule of the screening of the Dutch film in different cities with details on the scheduled time and location:
New Delhi (Alliance Francaise - M. L. Bharati Auditorium) Saturday 05 April 2008 06:00 p.m. Waiter (Netherlands)
Chennai (South Indian Film Chamber Theatre) Wednesday 09 April 2008 08.00 p.m. Waiter (Netherlands)
Kolkata (Nandan Cinemas) Wednesday 16 April 2008 04.00 p.m. Waiter (Netherlands)
Kozhikode (Tagore Centenary Hall) Friday 18 April 2008 5:00 PM Waiter (Netherlands)
Pune ( National Film Archive of India) Sunday 27 April 2008 08.30 p.m. Waiter (Netherlands)
Please find the synopsis of the film, information on the filmmaker of the Dutch film Waiter (Ober): 
WAITER Presskit Verbeterd
Please log on the below mentioned link for the complete information related to the total programme of the EU Film Festival.
http://www.delind.ec.europa.eu/en/pressandinfo/events/euff2008/euff08index.htm
4 March 2008
Press release
Dutch Research Universities Seek Partnership with Indian Counterparts
