Statement by youth leaders

Inflammatory messages and insults directed toward deeply held religious beliefs are likely to add to the already heated discussion on whether Muslims and non-Muslims can live together in an integrated, multicultural society. When considering what effects the film by Geert Wilders will have, we anticipate that it will certainly exacerbate the current situation between these groups. This film will surely spread or breed anti-Islamic sentiment and will act as a promotional or recruitment tool for anti-Islamic groups and organizations.

Geert Wilders’ own behavior can be described as nothing less than extremist. He asserts that the teachings of the Koran are a source of violence and intolerance. However, at the same time Mr. Wilders and those similar to him are themselves the sources of violence – their views encourage intercultural clashes and endorse polarization between Muslim and non-Muslim societies.

There is the possibility that youth will want to vent their anger through violence and confrontation.  To avoid such a scenario it is imperative that rather than reacting impulsively to the situation, youth should prepare a peaceful response. We should not reply to extremism with extremism. We should not reply to provocations with violence – even serious provocations. The only way to counter this ignorance is to enlighten.

The worst response of any respectable and up-standing Muslim youth is to remain silent and do nothing. Mr. Wilders is exploiting the notion of freedom of expression, but you also have this freedom. Use it! Seek out others who feel as you do and use the power of communication to highlight and demonstrate to the ignorant few the beauty of diverse cultures and faiths. Go to your constituencies and encourage other people of faith not to give in to violence. Prove the producer of this film wrong. Write statements, make counter-films, take non-violent action!

To all Islamic umbrella organizations – remind all your members that they should not allow themselves to be provoked because that is exactly the intention of the movie. Pass this message on to all the Imams to warn people at mosques.

The media plays a significant role in framing the entire issue and in presenting particular aspects of the argument. How this is done is a key factor since the media has access to mass audiences in both the west and the east. Supporters of the film will appeal to freedom of expression while the opposition will defend the faith and the identity being scrutinized and attacked. Balancing freedom of expression with respect for religion is a very delicate matter.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right in any democratic society; nobody can ban the right of free expression. There is, however, a need to clarify and consider where your own right ends and where infringement of other peoples’ rights begins. It is not our intent to suggest placing limits on the freedom of expression as this is a deeply held value in our society and in most other societies. If we place a limit on this freedom now it would only set a precedent for other limitations later. However, we also realize that some forms of expression do more harm than good.

There are people with many crazy and extreme ideas. The method to make them stop spreading these ideas is not banning them from speaking them out loud, but rather demonstrating, through our own actions, that these views are not worth our attention. The recommendation we have is to foster and nurture an environment where potentially harmful ideas can be countered quickly and effectively with opposing views.

Khalid Al-Jufairi
Education City Youth Committee, Qatar

Anush Hairapetyan
Armenian National Youth Council, Armenia

Magda Herova
Association for Voluntary Activities, INEX–SDA, Czech Republic

Simon Jagdhar & Mariya Boguslav
National Committee of “All Different - All Equal”, Ukraine

Adeola Ojeniyi
West African Youth Network, Nigeria