Reuters AlertNet Lite - Iran condemns Dutch MP's Islam remarks as spiteful

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Iran condemns Dutch MP's Islam remarks as spiteful

21 Feb 2007 12:12:31 GMT
Source: Reuters

AMSTERDAM, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Iran condemned on Wednesday a call by a populist Dutch politician for local Muslims to throw away half the Koran to show national loyalty, and said the Dutch government should prevent further provocation of Muslims.

The Iranian embassy in The Hague called the comments made by anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders "spiteful".

"Such statements are (a) direct insult to sanctities and ethical values of Islam," the embassy said in a statement.

"Inciting hatred and religious intolerance could only be seen as a disservice to the freedom of expression." Wilders said in an interview published last week that Muslims should throw away half their holy book if they wanted to stay in the Netherlands and said he would chase Islam's Prophet Mohammad out of the country if he were alive today.

The Dutch government confirmed on Sunday that Foreign Ministry officials had held informal talks with the Saudi embassy in The Hague over Wilders' remarks.

Last year Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines, withdrew its ambassador to Copenhagen over Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet, which provoked worldwide protests among Muslims.

The Iranian embassy called on the Dutch government "to take appropriate measures to prevent further provocation of sentiments of Muslims".

Wilders, who is seen as an heir to murdered populist Pim Fortuyn and whose new party won nine seats in parliament out of the 150 in November elections, has warned of a "tsunami of Islamisation" in a country home to 1 million Muslims.

Living under heavy guard since 2004 when a Dutch-Moroccan killed filmmaker and Islam critic Theo van Gogh, he has campaigned to ban the Muslim burqa veil, new mosques and religious schools and also wants to freeze immigration.

On Monday, Wilders said he had decided not to take part in a parliamentary visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan due to threats following his comments, Dutch media reported.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Iran profile
· View map

• Pakistan profile
· View map

• Saudi Arabia profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• RELIGIOUS DELEGATION GOING TO IRAN TO TALK PEACE
AFSC - USA

• MUSLIM AID TO BUILD HOUSES IN PAKISTAN
Muslim Aid - UK

• QUAKE SURVIVORS STRUGGLE IN SUB-ZERO CONDITIONS
Muslim Aid - UK

• Assisting Survivors Through Winter and Toward Work: ACT member Continues Recovery Efforts After 2005 Quake
CWS

• Food, water, shelter and health for residents of Kashtera Camp
CWS

MORE >>

Latest news

• Iran condemns Dutch MP's Islam remarks as spiteful

• Russia finds bird flu in new region, suspects more

• India probes Kashmir bomb link, militants deny role

• India, Pakistan reaffirm peace vows after train attack

• Seven Guantanamo prisoners returned to Saudi Arabia

MORE >>

Last updated:Wed Feb 21 12:13:57 2007