Indonesia blocks YouTube over “Fitna” the movie

Update (Fri Apr 11, 2008): Indonesia has lifted the ban on Youtube.com. Internet service providers “would only block access to pages carrying the film by Geert Wilders” The vice chairman of the Indonesian Internet Providers Association said.

Youtube
The Indonesian government has ordered the country’s internet service providers to block YouTube for publishing the 15-minute anti-Muslim film “Fitna”, made by Dutch MP Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV). Some of the country's ISPs followed the block order, but “Fitna” could still be viewed through other providers.

“A letter was sent to Internet providers asking them to block any site or blog posting the film Fitna (…) Not only YouTube has uploaded the film, so it is up to the ISPs’ discretion to block these sites,” a Communications and Information Ministry Official is quoted as saying.

Earlier this week, Indonesia had threatened to block YouTube unless the video-sharing web site removed the aforementioned movie.

26 comments

  • Yet more proof that Islamic theology and ideology is unwilling to accept criticism. Wilder’s film points out that Islam spawns a lot of violent and kookie groups who are anti-gay, sexist, and kill non-Muslims. This is true and intellectually a fair question to ask.

    That Muslims are offended is their problem. In a world with different viewpoints, no group can claim to be beyond criticism. I find Islam intellectually dishonest and its historical scholarship to be laughable.

    Instead of banning the film, Indonesia should answer it honestly. Yet, I believe there is not much critical thought in Islam. If the truth of Koran and its so call prophet beyond challenge, then how is inter-faith and inter-cultural dialog possible. I think it is not and the fault is on the part of Islamic theology.

  • muhammad khalid

    Mr. critic

    the fact is that u cannot make a distinction between insult and critism based on reasons. if ur senses are not immune to honor, that u would definitely be purturbed when someone go mad in critising not only your religion but ur whole ancestral history. showing films doesn’t make any good. we are taught by Holy Quran, to respect all religions and prophets of the history, because they were the messengers of God. Do u know what God is. i believe “no”. To have a dialogue with such an ignorant man is to waste our time. U bark like stray dogs, but u will never be able to draw sensible to your ranks.

  • Mike Sherman

    “..we are taught by Holy Quran, to respect all religions and prophets of the history..”. Really ? Is this particular teaching overruled by the calls to kill ‘kafirs’ wherever you see them ?

  • John Edwards

    “u would definitely be purturbed when someone go mad in critising not only your religion but ur whole ancestral history.”

    Mr. Muslim Scholar, to your above posted sentence I can reply a big NO! Over the years, I have criticised my own religion and my ancestral tradition to every extent that I now retract from my previously held views for very good facts and reasons. Just because you are bewildered from somebodies critique, doesnt mean that you should completely rule it out without hearing it through and have reasonable answers to those questions they are challenging you with. I can only advise you to think deeply why you are defending your religion as if it were infallible.

  • shridevi

    Is Indonesian Government foolish enough to ban the Youtube in this 21st century internet Global age. Pls see that informations and visuals cannot be banned in this era.

    People will always be anxious to see what is banned. People want always to see what is hidden. That is the natural law. Instead of the end result of hiding from the publis I think fitna will appear on every Indonesian Home PCs.

  • dennis

    I am a muslim in Indonesia, and I have to say that I don’t care about the movie. I love my religion, but I also respect free speech. So give me back Youtube!

  • angelica

    I am a Catholic in Indonesia, and once again, the movie creates disturbances between all religions, and that is very unpleasant for all of us. We are aware of the situations and we want peace !

  • […] &161H&8224&218I&352&339J&8225R’ &205&210&164N&243http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/191968.phpIndonesia blocks YouTube over ???Fitna??? the movie – Global Voices OnlineEarlier this week, Indonesia threatened to block Youtube unless the video-sharing web site removes […]

  • Khalid

    Bismillah hirrahma nirrah heem.
    Let’s discuss the verses of Quran mentioned in the Geert Wilders’ Video. Does these actually showing the same meaning??
    Before going to discuss The verses in detail. Let me tell you few examples to explain what meaning we can get quoting something out of context……
    In Islam, on every muslim its compulsory to offer prayer five times a day. Allah says in Quran.
    002.238 Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).
    But if a person who is against offering Prayer he can say ….OHH I will not offer Prayer because Allah has made it Forbidden AND QURAN EXPLAIN TO US, “DON’T OFFER PRAYER!” He can quote following verse from Quran.
    004.043 O ye who believe! Approach not prayers!!!
    Anybody can take such wording out of context from Quran and say. Don’t pray!!! Quran has forbidden it.
    Will you believe on such kind of Person Quoting from Quran???????
    Actually Allah is saying in this verse; Don’t go near Prayer if you not fulfill few requirements until you clean.
    004.043 O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. ….
    SO WE CAN GET ANY MEANING FROM ANY BOOK IF QOUTING OUT OF CONTEXT.
    LET ME SAY AGAIN
    WE CAN GET ANY MEANING FROM ANY BOOK IF QOUTING OUT OF CONTEXT.
    We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: “Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them”. Today if I say that the American President said, “Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them” without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.
    Lets Discuss the verses used in the Video.
    Two verses he took from Surah Al-Anfal (surah # 8)

    It was revealed in 2 A. H. after the Battle of Badr, the first battle between Islam and kufr. As it contains a detailed and comprehensive review of the Battle, it appears that most probably it was revealed at one and the same time.
    Muslim were being attacked with 1000 armed person from Makka city and they meet with Muslims in the battlefield of Badar near Madina City. Muslim were only 313 among them only 70 were equipped with sword and rest was only holding sticks, Only 2 horses and 70 camel. It was very little and ill-armed army who gave very bad defeat to Kaffir of Makka who attacked Muslim fully equipped and full of pride.
    This surah is mentioning all about this Badar War. Many commandments for the soldiers and for the army commander.
    Geert Wilders used this surah and pick verses which Allah send down during battle field of Badar to boost the mural of soldiers.
    At the start of battlefield Prophet (s.a.w) was making lot of Prays from Allah for His help. Allah mention that in the start of surah , verse 9 and 10
    On reaching the verse 15 and 16 Allah gave the following Commandments to the companion of Prophet (s.a.w) to don’t be scared , don’t show your back, fight. Just like any Army General give such commandant to his soldiers. Allah says.
    008.015 O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array of Battle, never turn your backs to them.
    008.016 If any do turn his back to them on such a day – unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!
    In all this surah the commandments and techniques of war has been briefly explained by Allah. Then by Reaching the verse 39, (which is used in the video) Allah say to the companion Prophet (s.a.w) that fight and kill them don’t be coward. Now by Reaching this verse 39 Allah says.
    008.039 And fight them on until there is no more tumult/oppression (Fitna), and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
    The verse clearly speaking by itself and meaning is so clear. Wilder , so cleverly not only pick this verse from whole commandments but also only a part of this verse. He even not used full verse. Because if he use full verse the verse itself explaining about “cease of war”, This war is allowed only until they “cease”, if they not cease the war then keep on fight and kill them.
    Now we keep going ahead of the surah.
    By Reaching Verse 46 and 47, Allah giving commandments to the companion of Prophet s.a.w The be Firm in war and keep remembrance of Allah and keep obeying the Prophet as Army General so that you remain like a unit in Battlefield.
    After many commandments regarding battlefield one most important commandment was to collect maximum possible power with weapon, horses etc so that when next time this kind of attack on city comes your position in equipment and weapon should not be that weak.
    Allah says in verse 60
    008.060 Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah does know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.
    And next verse Allah explain more details. Inclined towards PEACE!!! if the enemy also incline towards Peace.
    008.061 But if the enemy incline towards peace, do incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).
    Now Wilder only pick verse 60 for that video proving some surprise thing from it. Totally different kind of meaning he is wishing to Get from this verse totally out of context.
    We can only Pray…O Allah give them light of Islam so that they can also prosper.

    Lets talk about remaining three verses used in the Video
    Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad Verse number 4

    Wilder very cleverly again pick few initial wording of the verse to completely change the whole meaning of verse. Getting the surprise meaning from it.
    The translation of some part of the verse he used in video is as under.

    “Therefore when you meet the unbelievers, Smite at their necks and when ye have caused a bloodbath among them bind a bound firmly on them“
    Now the exact verse with exact translation is as under.

    So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, smite the necks; then, when you have overcome them, make (them) prisoners, and afterwards (set them free) as a favour or for ransom till the war lay down its burdens…..47:4

    This passage mentions the only case in which prisoners of war can be taken, and thus condemns the practice of slavery, according to which men could be seized anywhere and sold into slavery. Here we are told that prisoners of war can only be taken after meeting an enemy in regular battle, and even in that case they must be set free, either as a favour or after taking ransom. It was the former of these alternatives that the Holy Prophet adopted in most cases; for instance, in the case of the prisoners of the Bani Musaliq war, in which a hundred families were set at liberty, and in the case of Hawazin war, in which fully six thousand prisoners of war were released merely as an act of favour. Only in the case of the seventy prisoners taken at Badr war, where there is mention of redemption having been taken, but this was when Islam was very weak and the powerful enemy was determined to crush it
    Anybody can clearly see what actually the verse explaining is good for humanity but Wilder use the verse as if it is against humanity, that what we can do if quoting out of context.

    The remaining two verses were taken by Wilder from Chapter 4 Surah An-Nisah

    004.056 Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

    I thing if a person have little knowledge about Islam or even a child can understand that this verse is not related about worldly life its about Hereafter. Verse saying that those who will not believe in Allah, The only Lord of Worlds, such persons will be put in Hell Fire. This is same message which is being given by all Messengers including Moses and Jesus and Jews and Christian believe in it.
    What a surprise that “Mr” Wilder use such verse to prove islam promote violence, which is clearly not the meaning of the verse.

    Last verse used in the video by Wilder is verse number 89 chapter 4 Surah An-Nisah

    This Verse is actually against Wilder’s ideology but still so silliness he is using the verse which actually showing great favor for humanity. its talking about hypocrites, a hypocrite is just like a spy who apparently look devotee or patriot but actually he is supporter of enemy. So what is the ruling for that kind of persons in Islam? Allah explaining this in the following verses.

    004.088 Why should you, then, be two parties in relation to the hypocrites while Allah has made them return (to disbelief) for what they have earned? Do you desire to guide him whom Allah leaves in error? And whomsoever Allah leaves in error thou canst not find a way for him
    004.089 They wish that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved so that you might be on the same level; so take not from among them friends until they flee (their homes) in Allah’s way. Then if they turn back (to hostility), seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take no friend nor helper from among them,
    004.090 Except those who join a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you and fight you not and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way against them (to war against them)

    The verses showing clearly that even hypocrites (Munafiq) were not to be killed or fought against if they refrained from fighting, though they may have gone over to disbelief after accepting Islam. Note also that here Allah clearly commanded that if any people offered peace, they were not to be fought against.

    Islam is a complete way of life and a beautiful religion. We pray for all those who still not believe that may Allah let them become honest with themselves and help them to see the light of Islam before their death.

  • Ari

    Khalid

    I’m a proud Indonesian Muslim.. I’ve watched the movie “Fitna”.
    I feel insulted at first.. But hey it’s every man right to make a movie rite?
    I’m not saying that they’re right to say bad thing about our religion or even make the movie out of it.. But they can say all they wanna say as long as we know that it’s not true.. We all feel violated too Khalid.. So just chill man.. We know that the movie it’s JUST a movie..

    For me it’s just like DaVinci Code all over again.. Just another controversial movie that saying bad things and try to make us doubt our religion.. It’s all gonna go away in few months just like DaVinci Code does.. BUT TO BANNED YOUTUBE and Other website such as Myspace or Multiply is just dont makes sense at all..

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