A Dutch parliamentary delegation is currently visiting the Kingdom to rebuild bilateral relations after the 15-minute anti-Islam movie ‘Fitna' was released recently. The Saudi government invited Dutch parliamentarians to visit the Kingdom after the release of the slanderous movie. The invitation was open to all members of parliament. However, Wilders, the author and movie director, chose not to come. The 15-minute long film ‘Fitna' misleads viewers about the true teachings of Islam. It outraged Muslims worldwide who felt that their religion was again targeted after the blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) published in a Danish newspaper two years ago. “We truly understand how you were offended, but we were offended by one individual and not by the country,” said Harh Jan Ormel, head of the delegation, during a press conference at Conference Palace here on Sunday. “We believe in freedom of speech, and of course there is a line between freedom of speech and offending others,” explained Ormel. “When this line is crossed we people can bring the case to a judge and he decides.” Ormel cited the example of a concert performed by international pop star Madonna wherein she placed herself on the crucifix (cross). “This offended some Christians in the Netherlands and some brought the case to a judge to ban Madonna from performing in the Netherlands. The judge ruled in favor of Madonna and told them that if they didn't want to be offended they didn't have to go to her concert.” Ormel explained to a panel of journalists that most members of parliament opposed the ‘Fitna' movie and held a live discussion condemning it. “The day after we held the session the Saudi Ambassador sent us a letter of invitation for members of parliament to visit the Kingdom,” Ormel said. During its three-day visit to the Kingdom, the delegation visited King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, the Shoura Council, and the National Society for Human Rights in Riyadh and Jeddah, SAGIA, World Assembly for Muslim Youth, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other associations. During the press conference Dutch Ambassador to Riyadh Nicolas Beets said a free trade agreement between the GCC countries and the EU will be signed at the end of the year. __
