JAMI OFFENDED MUSLIMS WITH THE FILM

Ehsan Jami has offended Muslims with his film ‘Interview with Mohammed’, according to an official statement by Premier Jan Peter Balkenende on behalf of the Dutch government. “The Dutch government has taken notice of Mr Jami’s film, in which he expresses his personal opinions about Islam. The Netherlands has a tradition of freedom of religion and belief as well as a tradition of freedom of expression. We also have a tradition of respect, tolerance and responsibility. Offending other people is not in keeping with these traditions. Conversely, free and unrestricted debate and respectful treatment do reflect these traditions. In this light, the government regrets the fact that Mr Jami’s film deeply offends the feelings of many Muslims.” Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen has spoken about Jami’s film with the Islamic countries’ ambassadors to the Netherlands. He has told them that the film is not a product of the government, that the Netherlands has freedom of expression and that a film must be no reason for violence against Dutch people or companies. The cabinet is not planning to comment on the contents of the film.