The controversial short film Fitna was produced by Dutch politician Geert Wilders and released on the Internet on February 27, 2008. Originally released on the video website LiveLeak, Fitna was pulled after LiveLeak staff received threats in response to the film's anti-Islamic message. The film was later posted on both Google Video and YouTube.
Reaction and Controversy
In Arabic, "Fitna" generally refers to schism, upheaval, and anarchy. The film was condemned by several people and organizations, including United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, for its anti-Qu'ranic message. The announcement of the film's release prompted the Netherlands to raise their terror alert to "substantial," the second highest in their terror scale. Several Dutch citizens made and uploaded their own videos to YouTube, apologizing for the film and its anti-Islamic message.
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Originally scheduled for release in January of 2008
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Film length
17 minutes
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Dutch public broadcasters refused to air the video
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The Internet Service Provider suspended the Fitna official site
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