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July 12, 2005
On trial for film maker's slaying, Muslim extremist says: 'I would do it again' (Updated)
Topics: TerrorismHere's yet another follower of the religion of peace, up to his ears in murder, and proud of it. Sooner or later, hopefully, moderate Muslims will begin to take back their faith from radical Islamists like this guy that brutally murdered Theo van Gogh while he pleaded for mercy....
Mohammed Bouyeri, the Dutch-Moroccan Muslim that was accused of killing Theo van Gogh as he cycled to work in Amsterdam on Nov. 2, 2004, confessed in court today to murdering the filmmaker last year that was critical of Islam. He was charged with shooting and stabbing Van Gogh before slashing his throat and pinning a note to his body with a knife in broad daylight. Not exactly what could be called a peaceful death by any stretch of one's imagination.
Bouyeri broke his silence over the killing that sparked and fanned religious and racial tension in the Netherlands, tension that has not yet significantly abated, by declaring, "I did what I did purely out my beliefs," while clutching a Quran. "I want you to know that I acted out of conviction and not that I took his life because he was Dutch or because I was Moroccan and felt insulted."
(Mohammed Bouyeri-shot, stabbed, and slit throat of van Gogh)
Van Gogh, a descendent of the brother of the 19th century Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, was known for his outspoken criticism of Islam and angered many Muslims by making a film(images from film) which accused Islam of condoning violence against women.
(Image from Submission, showing Koran writings)
"I did what I did purely out my beliefs," the 27-year-old Muslim told judges after entering court clutching a Quran. "I want you to know that I acted out of conviction and not that I took his life because he was Dutch or because I was Moroccan and felt insulted."
(Image from Submission, showing Koran writings)
The bearded suspect, dressed in a black robe and black and white headscarf, praised Allah and the Prophet Mohammed before admitting to the killing on the second day of his trial in Amsterdam's high-security court.
Van Gogh's murder sparked a wave of attacks on mosques, religious schools and churches in a country once renowned for its tolerance, and raised questions about the integration of the almost 1 million Muslims living in the Netherlands.
Memories of Pim Fotuyn
Van Gogh's slaying prompted memories of the murder of anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn by an animal rights activist in 2002 in a country grappling with fears of terrorist attacks after its support for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. The man who assassinated Pim Fortuyn, the Dutch anti-immigration politician, told judges he acted on behalf of the country's Muslims.
Bouyeri told judges he had acted according to his convictions. Unrepentant, he told the victim's mother -- who was in court -- that he did not sympathize with her loss and would be prepared to do the same again.
"If I ever get free, I would do it again," he said.
Bouyeri could face up to life in prison if found guilty of the murder. He faces other charges including the attempted murder of police officers and illegal possession of weapons. A verdict is due in two weeks.
Prosecutors say his acts had a terrorist intent and called for him to be jailed for life. They described Van Gogh's killing as a cowardly attack on a defenseless man.
"I take full responsibility upon myself," Bouyeri told the court. "It would be cowardly if I hid here behind the rules of the game by saying nothing and to avoid the chance of receiving the maximum sentence."
Holy war
Prosecutors say Bouyeri, who waived the right to mount a defense, was a radical Muslim dedicated to a holy war against the enemies of Islam and had murdered Van Gogh to spread terror in the Netherlands.
"The cutting of Van Gogh's throat evokes beheadings in the Middle East, the wars in Chechnya, Afghanistan and Iraq," prosecutor Frits van Straelen told judges. The prosecutor earlier read out detailed reports from witnesses to the killing.
Prosecutors have said the accused believed he was doing God's will and wanted to die a "martyr" at the hands of police. The suspect was injured in a gun battle with police before he was arrested in eastern Amsterdam shortly after the murder.
Bouyeri, who was born and grew up in Amsterdam, was accused of a premeditated attack.
Prosecutors say he ignored Van Gogh's pleas for mercy.
The five-page note left pinned to Van Gogh's body quoted the Quran and was addressed to Somali-born Dutch politician Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the script for Van Gogh's film "Submission" about violence against women. She went into hiding for weeks after the murder.
Source: MSNBC - The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Hat tip - Free Thoughts - linked today by Ayaan Hirsi Ali's weblog.
Update: (Hat tip to reader Sylvia) - you can view the film Submission here.
Related:
The screenwriter of the film "Submission," Ayaan Hirsi Ali, grew up an upper-class Muslim in Somalia.
In '92 she escaped to the Netherlands, mastered the language and attended university to study political science. Now a politician, she has received death threats for numerous stances she's taken and activities she's undertaken. But as a self-proclaimed ex-Muslim, she has taken it upon herself to make the plight of oppressed Muslim women known to the West--and to hopefully end their suffering.
Other coverage - In The Bull Pen , Captain's Quarters, Outside the Beltway, GOP Bloggers, IsraPundit, Cao's Blog, JackLewis.Net
Posted by Hyscience at July 12, 2005 8:34 PM
I am interested in the young Somali woman who has decided to speak out against the treatment of Muslim women.
As a woman I believe that we have a duty to speak out against abuses against other women regardless of religious affiliation and culture. The situation of Muslim women is one that is critical.
When the Taliban took over in Afghanistan the Muslim women, who had been quite free in what they could do, were suddenly enslaved by a reactionary regime that saw women as playthings and chattels. These women went from being teachers, doctors and other professionals to stay at home women who were afraid to leave their homes. If they showed even the tiniest bit of ankle they were subjected to severe beatings.
This kind of action is not the work of people who love God. They have a view of our God that consists of master/slave. They cannot comprehend God as a Father. I am reminded of a talk given by Dr. Scott Hahn on the subject, and how he was to debate a Muslim, who walked out on the proposed debate because he was upset over the use of "Father" for God.
The religious fanaticism of the Muslim who killed Van Gogh is an indicator of what is wrong with fundamentalism as a whole, not just Islam. He is a fanatic who understands very precisely the teachings of Mohammed. It is the rest of the people who do not understand this very point. There are moderate Islamics and yes I have known an Iranian who is a moderate. I have nothing against the Moslem people who just want to mind their own business. I will however, speak up against radical Islam and everything it purports to support.
Posted by: Maggie4life 
at July 13, 2005 5:19 AM
Articles Related to Terrorism:
- On trial for film maker's slaying, Muslim extremist says: 'I would do it again' (Updated) - Jul 12, 2005
