Dutch anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders has confirmed that a Prophet Mohammed cartoon contest will be held in his partys secure offices in Dutch parliament, after receiving approval for the event from security officials.
The divisive right-wing politician and leader of the countrys largest opposition party, the Freedom Party, took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce the news.
“Dutch Counter-terrorism Agency NCTV gives green light to Muhammad cartoon contest in secured PVV quarters of Dutch Parliament later this year,” Wilders tweeted, along with a Mohammed cartoon. “So thats what were going to do and organize! With cartoonist/ex-Muslim Bosch Fawstin! Freedom of speech is most important of all!!” he wrote.
Dutch Counter-terrorism Agency NCTV gives green light to Muhammad cartoon contest in secured PVV quarters of Dutch Parliament later this year.
So thats what were going to do and organize! With cartoonist/ex-Muslim Bosch Fawstin!
Freedom of speech is most important of all!! pic.twitter.com/hOYdQBRLRl
— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) 12 июня 2018 г.
The announcement received a decidedly mixed reception from the Twitterati. While some responded with supportive cartoons, others questioned the wisdom of such an event.
“If we know that Muslims are offended by cartoons of the [prophet], why then do you choose to agitate them even more by doing these kind of stunts to get attention for your cause. Surely there are more ways to address this issue?” an apprehensive Twitter user wrote.
Im a total atheist but I do have one question, if we know that Muslims are offended by cartoons of the profit, why then do you choose to agitate them even more by doing these kind of stunts to get attention for your cause. Surely there are more ways to address this issue?
— Ton (@tonesterify) June 12, 2018
I will join in as well in defence of free speech. I can draw pigs and dogs and naked women and everything else that is haram pretty well, so I should have no problems. pic.twitter.com/KHKXWG6abV
— Mario
(@PizzaGrootegast) June 12, 2018
Wilders, who has previously called for the Koran to be banned in the Netherlands and says Islam is a totalitarian faith, has long planned to host such a competition – but had previously been prevented from doing so.
READ MORE: Wilders plans Mohammed cartoon contest as he fights discrimination conviction
He has attended a number of exhibits and events focused on mocking the Islamic prophet – usually billed as free speech events. In 2015, Wilders was a keynote speaker at a Mohammed cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, where two gunmen were killed after opening fire on a security officer. He later aired a slideshow on Dutch television of the cartoons from the Texas exhibition – after claiming that he had been barred from exhibiting the cartoons at the parliament.
American cartoonist Bosch Fawstin, winner of the disastrous contest in Texas, has been asked to judge the Dutch contest.
Critics have accused Wilders of being an unscrupulous provocateur, and it appears that some are already bracing for the inevitable blowback from the cartoon contest.
“Good luck with your competition. I do hope that it wont become such a mess as the one in Garland, Texas,” one Twitter user commented, in response to Wilders announcement.
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