Tony Hotland, Jakarta – Indonesia has said the film Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders plans to release about the Koran could derail interfaith dialog and harm efforts toward global stability and peace.
The film, called Fitna (Slander), is said to depict Islam's holy text as a "fascist book" that "should be banned".
Wilders said he plans to release the 15-minute film on March 28 and has already said the Koran is like Adolf Hitler's best-seller Mein Kampf or My Struggle – an autobiography and an exposition of Hitler's ideology.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo said Friday, "It is really inappropriate if (Wilders) presses on with his plan to release the film knowing it will offend Muslim communities".
"Indonesia has been active in promoting interfaith dialog. This film would serve as a new obstacle to the efforts that we all have initiated."
In 2006, rallies and rioting erupted against Danish interests in many Muslim countries after satirical cartoons appeared in a Danish newspaper and were later reprinted by European papers.
On Thursday, a group of Islamic, Christian and Catholic leaders in Indonesia issued a joint statement condemning and calling on the Dutch government to thwart the planned film release. They said, if released, the film would hurt Muslims worldwide and create uncalled-for strife among communities.
Wilders has been warned of potential attacks on Dutch citizens and businesses worldwide if the film is broadcast, but the Dutch government has failed to convince him to reconsider.
There are around one million Muslims in the Netherlands, which has a total population of 16 million. Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said late last month his government "fundamentally disagreed" with Wilders, but the country guaranteed freedom of expression. Balkenende said, "We call on governments to uphold the principles of international law, such as the obligation it enshrines to protect foreign interests, nationals and businesses".
In 2004, filmmaker Theo van Gogh was killed by an extremist in Amsterdam after directing a television film accusing Islam of condoning violence against women.