Muslim group seeks fine for Dutch lawmaker, ban on anti-Quran film

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Dutch judge is due on Friday to hear the petition of a Muslim group seeking an independent review of an anti-Quran film by lawmaker Geert Wilders to see whether it violates hate speech laws. The petition, seen by The Associated Press Thursday at the Hague District Court, says the Dutch Islamic Federation "believes the situation of Muslims in the Netherlands today is comparable with that of our Jewish fellow-citizens in the 1930s." The federation asked for a fine of $79,000 per day if Wilders airs the film, and a $7,900 fine for each future instance of an "injuring remark." Although the exact contents of the 15-minute film are unknown, Wilders has said it will underscore his opinion that the Quran is a "fascist" book and Islam is incompatible with democracy. Officials fear it could spark violent protests in Muslim countries, similar to those two years ago after the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper.