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UPDATE #3 (4/09/08 ): Added new links in the text to the revised version of Fitna.
UPDATE #2 (3/31/08 @ 11:05:00 am EST)
LiveLeak retored Fitna! LiveLeak’s statement:
** 30/3/2008: Liveleak Update **
On the 28th of March LiveLeak.com was left with no other choice but to remove the film “fitna” from our servers following serious threats to our staff and their families. Since that time we have worked constantly on upgrading all security measures thus offering better protection for our staff and families. With these measures in place we have decided to once more make this video live on our site. We will not be pressured into censoring material which is legal and within our rules. We apologise for the removal and the delay in getting it back, but when you run a website you don’t consider that some people would be insecure enough to threaten our lives simply because they do not like the content of a video we neither produced nor endorsed but merely hosted.
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The movie Fitna by Dutch MP Geert Wilders was finally released on the internet yesterday. There is a Dutch version and an English version [Update (4/9/08): New link to the new version of Fitna as edited by Wilders. Wilders edited the video, replacing the original Mohammad cartoon with a new one, and replacing a "photograph of Salah Edin, a rapper wrongly identified as Mohammed Bouyeri, with a picture of Bouyeri. See last two paragraphs here.] you can view at LiveLeak.com, as well as Mininova [Update (4/9/08): Original now removed.] and Pirate Bay torrent links for download. Miraculously, YouTube has decided not to remove the film which was uploaded as Part I and Part II, both of which I have embedded in the full post. (All links via Jawa)
If you are not familiar with the short 16 minute film, the controversy surrounding it (not the least of which was the preemptive censorship by an American company, Network Solutions, of the film’s official website prior its release), or the threats made even before its release, read the film’s official page at Wikipedia. (I see that today Wikipedia has added a statement to the top of the page trying to distance itself from the film. Cowards!) For links to the supporting documentation, see the footnote References at the bottom of that page.
Why do I encourage people to watch this film? Because too many of us are still clueless as to the true agenda of Islam. By alternately weaving together passages from the Quran with video clips of recent statements and teachings made by prominent Muslims, and then images of current acts of violence being committed by Muslims today, the film clearly and succinctly makes several important points, namely:
- Islam and the Quran upon which Islam is based, teach and promote not tolerance of or assimilation into Western democracies, but a loathing and incompatibility with democracy;
- Islam and the Quran are not tolerant of the ideologies and religions of others, but intolerant [all while so-called "moderate" Muslim apologists claim they seek dialogue and understanding with non-muslims, as well as loudly demanding we must tolerate them and their ideology]; and,
- Islam and the Quran espouse hatred of all things non-Islamic, violence against societies which are not based upon sharia law [democracies], and death for all people who do not either convert to Islam or submit to the supremacy and rule of Islam.
- It is Muslims, not non-Muslims, who can and must revise the Quran and reform the violent ideology of Islam.
After you watch this film, every time you hear a Muslim apologist, or Western politician, claim that what you are seeing and hearing “is not the true nature of Islam”, or that “Islam has been hijacked”, or that “Islam is a religion of peace”, you will understand that is not the reality. Do not allow yourself to be blindly led down the path of dhimmitude and Muslim domination by the gutless and cowardly who would willingly trade all our freedoms for temporary safety. If you have not yet educated yourself on the true Islam or its agenda of world domination, use this film as a beginning point. Then, educate yourself on the very real threat to Western civilization and freedom. This is not just a European problem. It is also our problem.
If you’d like to follow the Dutch reaction to the release of the film, a good place to start is the Klein Verzet blog.
WARNING: The film does contain some violent images. Frankly, I don’t think there’s anything in it most of us haven’t already seen on the internet or even on television. That’s not to say it isn’t hard to watch. It is. The beginning of the film contains video of the attacks on 9/11. There is also a video clip of a hostage beheading, but you will recognize when it is about to happen and can close your eyes or turn away. If I can watch this film, and I did, so can you!
Fitna – Part I
Fitna – Part II
2:04:29 pm EST
UPDATE (8:30:10 pm EST):
LiveLeak.com has removed the video due to threats. (h/t Jawa) Here is the official statement currently on LiveLeak’s main page:
Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers.
This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to place the safety and well being of our staff above all else. We would like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and religions, who gave us their support. They realised LiveLeak.com is a vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one.
Perhaps there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one anothers culture.
We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be heard, but in the end the price was too high.
You got that? Threats. Threats “… of a very serious nature…” The religion of peace? Yeah, right.
As of now the video has not been removed from YouTube. Google Video also continues to host a copy for viewing which I failed to include in my original post. In addition, Fitna can also be viewed on MySpace TV Videos, and at Dust my Broom. (via Jawa comments)
The Mininova torrent page no longer exists, but Pirate Bay still has it. Allahpundit at Hot Air provides a link to the film at Sumo Torrent. Commenters at Hot Air are providing additional links, three of which are here (in .mp4 format), here (in .flv or .wmv format), and here.
Pat Dollard is also hosting the video on his site. He says he knows LiveLeak’s “main dude” and speculates on the types of threats that would have caused LiveLeak to remove the film.
Finally, I of course downloaded it yesterday from LiveLeak. If it should disappear from YouTube and Google, and you would like a copy but are uncomfortable downloading it from unknown sites, email me. We must not allow freedom of speech to be further eroded. We cannot afford to allow violent, intolerant people to dictate what we can and cannot see, hear, or do.
