"Law against blasphemy to be scrapped," by political editor John Tyler; Radio Netherlands; 13-03-2008
A majority in the Dutch parliament, led by the ruling Labour Party, wants to scrap a law which fines or even imprisons people who commit blasphemy. But although the law isn't used anymore, even debating whether or not to scrap it is sensitive. The Christian parties in Dutch politics have always argued to keep it on the books.
Now, tension is high in anticipation of far right Dutch MP Geert Wilders' film, which is expected to be considered blasphemous by most Muslims. And although there's a majority for scrapping the law, government is not asked to get rid of it immediately.
More at: http://www.radionetherlands.nl
Wilders is hurting the common bond in the Netherlands. He would break it.
Up to a Quarter of Non-Western Immigrants Marry Within Family
The National Institute for Environmental Hygiene (RIVM) has investigated the high percentage of infant mortality in Rotterdam. It concluded that this is related to the fact that many non-Western immigrants marry within their own families. Up to 25% of Turks in the Netherlands and 20% of the Moroccans have done so, which causes far more genetic problems than are common in the general population, where only about 1 per thousand would marry within his own family.
www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland
http://badnewsfromthenetherland
Wilders' film, Fitna, takes its name from the wars of succession in the early years of Islam, a time when those who demanded power for themselves and their would-be dynasties fought against each other in centuries-long wars, in fitna.
The binding of the umma, the binding of the communion of souls that is our politic conformity in the Modernity of our time, all of it is religion. Some bonds cut so tight the blood ceases to flow and the rot sets in. Sometimes only fitna is the answer to continued survival.
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