chargement...
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders has decided to cancel a competition for cartoons depicting prophet Mohammed, reports the Guardian on Thursday. The controversial initiative, that was expected to take place in November, was rejected in the Netherlands, with members of the Muslim community calling it disrespectful.
Wilders’ decision comes as he received death threats, amid protests in Pakistan. «To avoid the risk of victims of Islamic violence, I have decided not to let the cartoon contest go ahead», he said in a communiqué issued Thursday, 30th of August.
The contest which was announced months ago, has put the politician’s life in danger. For him, annulling the cartoons competition was a way of protecting others, stating that «people’s safety comes first».
Geert Wilders’ fears grew after a 26-year-old man appeared in a Dutch court for planning a terror attack, targeting him. Arrested Tuesday at the Hague, the suspect believed to be Pakistani is accused of «plotting a terror-related murder».
Defended by a Moroccan Imam
While the PVV leader was highly criticized for launching the cartoon competition, Moroccan Imam Yassin Elforkani was also slammed by the Muslim community in the Netherlands for defending Wilders.
According to Dutch online newspaper dagelijksestandaard, the imam told Dutch TV channel AT5 on Wednesday that he «finds it shocking» that Wilders is threatened.
Moroccan Imam Yassin El Forkani./Ph. Screenshot
«Freedom of expression is very important for Muslims, we cannot approve this», he stated. «Prophet Mohammed is holy in Islam, but that does not go above all (…) Wilders’ freedom is more important than an insulting cartoon. If it turns out that he (Wilders) will really need extra protection later, then we shall provide that», said the Imam.
On social media, the Amsterdam Imam was highly criticized for standing with the far-right politician.
For the record, Wilders told the crowds in 2014 that «The Hague should be a city with fewer problems, if possible, fewer Moroccans». He then asked his followers whether they want more or fewer Moroccans in the city and they chanted repeating «fewer, fewer, fewer». Wilders responded saying : «We will take care of that».
A new panel of judges will be selected and brought to carry the hearings expected to last for 11 days.
