Iran, Netherlands at odds over movie
Published: Feb. 16, 2008 at 6:11 PM
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Iranian and Dutch officials are split over whether to intercede in the release of a new movie in the Netherlands that focuses on the Koran.
While Iranian officials have accused the unidentified film of portraying the holy Muslim text as an inspiration for killing, their Dutch counterparts have not taken action against the member of the Dutch Parliament responsible for its creation, the BBC said Saturday.
Geert Wilders created the piece and now the parliamentary member has been warned he may be forced to flee the Netherlands should it be screened as scheduled.
Such precautions may prove necessary as Wilders' fellow Dutch politicians have dismissed Iranian Justice Minister Gholam Hussein Elham's call for the movie's ban.
Despite Elham's accusations that the film attacks Muslim religious and moral values, the BBC said the Dutch government is standing behind the artistic work as a product created under the given freedom of expression.
While Iranian officials have accused the unidentified film of portraying the holy Muslim text as an inspiration for killing, their Dutch counterparts have not taken action against the member of the Dutch Parliament responsible for its creation, the BBC said Saturday.
Geert Wilders created the piece and now the parliamentary member has been warned he may be forced to flee the Netherlands should it be screened as scheduled.
Such precautions may prove necessary as Wilders' fellow Dutch politicians have dismissed Iranian Justice Minister Gholam Hussein Elham's call for the movie's ban.
Despite Elham's accusations that the film attacks Muslim religious and moral values, the BBC said the Dutch government is standing behind the artistic work as a product created under the given freedom of expression.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
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This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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