http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/1/nation/20804686&sec=nation
Tuesday April 1, 2008
Boycott Dutch products, say consumer groups
KUALA LUMPUR: The Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia has called on Muslims to boycott Dutch-made products to protest against the screening of anti-Islam film Fitna by Dutch legislator Geert Wilders.
The association, together with the NGO Consultative Council and the Muslim Restaurants Association of Malaysia, said in a statement that the video “openly insulted the Quran.”
Such an irresponsible act could affect world peace and relations between religious groups and Muslim consumers should object to the act, it said.
“We believe the boycott will send a clear message to people not to play with the sensitivities of Muslims,” it said.
The PAS Central Youth Council also called for a boycott of Dutch products, saying that it condemned the screening of the film and demanded immediate action by the producer to retrieve it.
In Malacca, Malay Islamic World Secretariat chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam described the filmmaker as “uncivilised” and “insane” as his actions may result in losses and harm to innocent people affected by the film.
He said the secretariat was expected to send a protest note to the Dutch Embassy over the film.
He supported moves by companies here to initiate legal action against Wilders if they suffered losses following a call to boycott Dutch products by Muslim consumers.
In Nilai, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged Muslim intellectuals and youths who have been campaigning for the Opposition through the Internet to show their indignation against the film through the medium.
“They should take advantage of their resourcefulness and skills which they had used against the establishment, this time to defend Islam,” he told reporters after opening the National Fatwa Council meeting.
Wilders had launched the film on the Internet after Dutch distributors refused to release it on Thursday.
The Malaysian National Islamic Students Association has sent a protest note to the Dtuch government, expressing its disappointment over the film.
Related Stories:
Mydin stores mark protest against anti-Islam film
By MANJIT KAUR
SUBANG JAYA: All Mydin stores nationwide have placed red labels on products from the Netherlands as a sign of protest over the release of the controversial anti-Islam film Fitna.
Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin said they have put up notices in their two hypermarkets and 24 emporiums nationwide as a step to urge shoppers not to purchase the products.
Dutch legislator Geert Wilders released the 15-minute film on the Internet on Thursday.
Red sticker day: Shahrir on a tour of Mydin Hypermarket in USJ, Subang Jaya, after he launched “Product Malaysia Citarasa Kita” promotion Monday. Inset — the notice to inform customers which products are from the Netherlands.
“We have put up red labels with the words ‘Product from the Netherlands’ on the shelves and posters have been pasted around the mall and cashier counters to urge shoppers not to buy the products.
“This will give customers a choice to shop for other products, especially local products.
“One need not be a Muslim to refrain from purchasing the products, as nobody has the right to condemn any religion – it is time to show how united we are.
“Anyway, there are many other products to choose from, and people need not worry,” Ameer said in his speech before Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad launched the Product Malaysia Citarasa Kita promotion at the Mydin Hypermarket in USJ here yesterday.
He added that they were, however, unable to remove the products from the shelves as consumers had the right to make their own choice.
Shahrir commended Mydin and Ameer for speaking up and placing the labels to discourage people from purchasing products from the Netherlands.
He said usually businessmen preferred to stay neutral when it came to such issues.
“But I am surprised with the speech by Ameer and the willingness of Mydin to place the labels to show their dissatisfaction over Wilders’ act.
“We are not angry with the Netherlands Government but with Wilders’ act, which has created anger among the Muslims,” he said, adding that there was no official boycott of Dutch products.
Shahrir said even companies in the Netherlands had said that they would take legal action against Wilders if their businesses were affected.
“And since their businesses are now affected, I hope legal action will be taken,” he added.
“With the move, consumers will have a choice of products that can compete with foreign products,” he added.
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MUSLIMS OF THE WORLD - UNITE!! BOYCOTT DUTCH PRODUCTS!! LET'S ALL JOIN HANDS IN PRAYERS FOR THIS EVIL MAN!
