This is a good reference to save. It highlights some key minion terminology. Join the fight and pickup a copy of the book, watch Geert’s movie and email your friends a link to this site.
From the desk of Elaib Harvey, 18 March, 2008, The Brussels Journal
Reported via the Dutch blog Klein Verzet is the story of Professor hans Jansen who seems to have put the cat amongst the pigeons by renaming his forthcoming book “Reading the Koran for Unbelievers.” In the light of the Dutch Government’s panic about Fitna, the film made by Geert Wilders, it appears that he has changed the name to, “Islam for Pigs, Apes, Mules and Other Beasts: 250 Questions about Islam.”
Now Professor Jansen seems to be pretty serious about his work, and currently holds his tenure at Utrecht University, his CV seems kosher, Dr Jansen taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at Leiden University from 1982 till May 2005. From early 1979 till the summer of 1982 he was director of the Dutch research center in Cairo, the Nederlands Instituut voor Arabische Studiën en Egyptische Archeologie. He also taught at Groningen University (1975-1979) and at Amsterdam University (1982).
He studied in Amsterdam (1960-1964), Cairo (1966-1967) and Leiden (1964-1968). He received degrees from the Theological Faculty of Amsterdam University (Biblical Hebrew and the History of Philosophy, 1961), the Amsterdam University Faculty of Arts (BA, Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic, 1964) and the Leiden Faculty of Arts (MA, Arabic, Turkish, and History of the Middle East). He earned a doctorate at Leiden in 1974.
Nonetheless this change of title is sure to go down pretty badly in a country which is still coming to terms with its status as the forcing ground for a new Europe.
Recent polling is suggesting that upwards of 45% of the population want to see this film. Spun of course as less than 50% by the media. The spin is true, but good lord if any modern broadcaster in this days of multi-platform digital and satellite TV thought they could pick up 45% (about 6 million viewers) they would be cracking open the champagne. Not in Holland where the broadcasters studiously pretend that nothing is happening.
A rough translation of the basic points in the book follows,
What does fitna mean?
Literally it means ‘ordeal’, ‘temptation’, ‘enchantment’. The Muslim believes steadfastness of his faith is being tested by the unbelief of non-Muslims. This unbelief then has to be fought.
Also having to see women who are not decently dressed according to rules of Islam is fitna. The day of last judgment is preceded by all kinds of ordeals, these are also called fitna. Also civil war and social disorder is called fitna.
What’s sharia?
It’s the Islamic law. Just like there is a law of Moses, the system of laws and rules that we now call sharia, used to be called Mohammedan law.
Why is it for a Muslim forbidden to make an image of Mohammad? And why must non-Muslims also submit to this rule?
The prohibition finds it’s origin in instructions not to depict living people and going to great heights in respect for the special position of Mohammad. Non-Muslims who ridicule Mohammad, it’s already said many times, need to be punished in an exemplary fashion.
What kind of punishment does Islam have for insulting Mohammad?
On insulting Mohammad the sharia offers in principle the death penalty. A Muslim who insults Mohammad has implicitly committed apostasy, and thus certainly deserves the death penalty. (more…)
Opinionated Infidels