Kuwait Times

Published Date: March 30, 2008
By Ahmad Al-Khaled, Staff writer

The anti-Islam film by right wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders hit the Internet on Thursday and the protests have already begun. The blatantly anti-Islam short film cuts violent images with quotes from the Holy Quran. So far no one is defending the movie. Dutch prosecutors are reviewing it to see if it violates any Dutch laws. Clearly, the Dutch fear a Muslim backlash -the sort that hit Danes when the offensive cartoon depicting Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was published in 2006.

Many violent attacks, protests and effigy burning occurred as an aftermath of the cartoon saga. There were widespread boycotts of Danish products and in the end, I think the Danish businesses hit by the financial crunch were quite sorry the cartoons were published-whether their opinions on Islam were changed is uncertain. But they were surely sorry that their profits dried-up over a cartoon.

So now the Dutch await the reaction of a Muslim world, who in 2006 had the power to economically upset an entire country. Will Muslims organize again and damage Danish business? My guess is that boycotts will be organized and the Dutch will be economically punished. However, will those who believe in the stereotypes perpetuated in Wilders' movie learn that Muslims will not be hurt by the acts of a few? Will the Dutch youth who log-on to the Internet and watch the garbage have the opportunity to be educated
about Islam in its' true form?

Certainly, the protest marches will begin. The Muslim people need to express their anger over the movie. In many Muslim countries, it is only through protests of this kind that they can express themselves on any issue. While I understand the need to shout and burn an effigy or two...for how long and to what end? Anger is powerful and at its best, it can be harnessed and used for good. At its worst, it can be used to perpetuate violence. We have numerous problems in the Muslim world-war, hunger, poverty, an
d more. If we could harness some of the negative energy which has no doubt sprung-up from this film and use it for more than burning effigies and shouting in the streets, then something good can come out of this insult.

I think the power to organize can affect change. Boycotts are peaceful and powerful at the same time. But I do not think they will educate the ignorant about the true nature of Islam. They will not change the stereotypes. If Muslims want to change the minds of the uneducated, we must educate them-not only boycott their products. We need to get in there and counter the trash talk with truth. Cultural exchanges, religious exchanges...talk is what we need... not more burning effigies.