I amsterdam - Reaction to Wilders film

Amsterdam- 28 March 2008

Mayor Cohen visited a number of mosques in the city yesterday and today, following the release of the film 'Fitna' by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders.

The mayor said that reactions from Amsterdam society have been very moderate, and that the city remains calm. In many parts of the city Amsterdammers had
taken the initiative to begin discussions with each other.

The film included some extremely unpleasant images of events in Amsterdam and other places, the mayor added. The images themselves were already well
known and did not bear commenting on. However, he and the council would oppose the film on factual grounds wherever possible, together with many Muslims
resident in Amsterdam.

Wilders did not describe Islam in his film, but only the extremists within it, the mayor said. Moreover, Wilders was calling for a halt to further ‘Islamification’
of Dutch society, where he should be calling for an end to extremism. Amsterdam was already working against extremism, in cooperation with a wide variety
of partners, the mayor said. Wilders’s film contributed nothing to this.

Since last week, Amsterdam council members have been attending a number of events and debates about the release of the film. Further developments in
connection with responses to the film in the city will be closely monitored.