A Dutch court has ruled that a highly-critical film about Islam is legal, and its maker is allowed to exercise his freedom of expression. The film is called "Fitna", which can be translated from Arabic as "strife". It compares Islam to fascism and the Prophet Mohammed to a barbarian.

Islamic groups in the Netherlands had asked the court to ban such comments, arguing they would incite hatred and violence. Muslims were outraged at Dutch MP Geert Wilders' film. It also accuses the Koran of condoning violence, by intercutting verses from the book with images of terrorist attacks.

The Dutch Islamic Federation had wanted it banned outright, but the court in The Hague said Wilders should be able to have his say, even if his views are extreme. A court spokesman said: "There is a grey area involving some of Wilders' statements, which could be provocative, but he is not crossing the line."

Wilders defends his right to criticise growing Islamic influence in the West, and says his film has not gone too far.