December 18, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 19, 1429

STRASBOURG, Dec 17: The European Parliament banned a planned screening on Wednesday of an anti-Islam film made by far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders, a British euro-deputy said.

“The banning of this film is a direct attack on free speech,” claimed British Independent MEP Gerard Batten, who had organised the event.

“A parliament that constantly talks of freedom, democracy and tolerance has shown once again that these are empty words when it does not agree with what is being said,” added Batten, a member of the eurosceptic UK Independence Party (UKIP).

The 17-minute film called ‘Fitna’ has been called “offensively anti-Islamic” by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

It has drawn protests and outrage in many Muslim countries.—AFP