Saudi Arabia is considering sanctions against the Netherlands after anti-Islamic lawmaker Geert Wilders printed stickers imitating the Saudi flag, replacing its text with "Islam is a lie, Muhammad a criminal, the Koran is poison"
Wilders in November 2013, showing the sticker in which he replaced "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah" with his own text.
UPDATE: Just a day before the European elections the Saudis make it official. In a few days time the foreign minister will be despatched to Riyadh to straighten the ruffed feathers. The converted Muslim, suspended from Wilders' Freedom Party, Arnoud van Doorn is explaining in this article that the problem is not just Wilders. It's the entire integration program.
May 18, 2014
The Dutch government distanced itself from Wilders' actions at the time, pointing out that the populist firebrand is not part of the government and his ideas are not representative.
Arab News said on its website that the Saudi authorities had asked that "Dutch businesses no longer be included in local projects" in the country, and to reduce the number of visas issued for Dutch businesspeople. The website also claimed Riyadh was angry for the lack of action taken against Wilders by the Dutch government. Saudi authorities could not be immediately reached for comment on the issue.
Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) is expected to make gains in European elections at the end of May, and has allied with other far-right parties across the continent, including France's National Front led by Marine Le Pen. He has previously compared the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, and claimed the religion is fascist.
Attempts to prosecute him for his claims have failed. He was acquitted on charges of inciting hatred in 2011, with judges arguing that his comments were directed against a religion rather than an ethnic group. There was recent outrage after he promised during local elections in March to ensure "fewer Moroccans" in the Netherlands.
(Source)
Far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders has put his country in hot water after distributing stickers with the Saudi-flag, replacing the text of the shahada with anti-Islam slurs, after which the Kingdom slapped indirect sanctions on the European country. “The constant criticism towards both the Islamic faith and the Kingdom itself by Dutch politicians, media and opinion makers over the last few years is a thorn in the side of the Saudi authorities,” Arnoud van Doorn, formal member of Wilder’s Freedom Party, who recently reverted to Islam, told OnIslam.net. “Various high-ranking Saudi government officials also addressed this topic in conversations I’ve had with them. “The Kingdom has repeatedly stated not to be amused with the current situation in the Netherlands. The Dutch embassy in Riyadh has probably underestimated this or failed to take it seriously.” (...) (Source)
May 18, 2014
Saudi Arabia To Boycott Dutch Over Wilders Insult
The Dutch foreign ministry said on Saturday that Saudi Arabia feels "insulted" by Wilders and is considering sanctions. "We have indications that show that Saudi Arabia is considering commercial measures against the Netherlands," said spokesman Friso Wijnen. He did not give further details.The Dutch government distanced itself from Wilders' actions at the time, pointing out that the populist firebrand is not part of the government and his ideas are not representative.
Arab News said on its website that the Saudi authorities had asked that "Dutch businesses no longer be included in local projects" in the country, and to reduce the number of visas issued for Dutch businesspeople. The website also claimed Riyadh was angry for the lack of action taken against Wilders by the Dutch government. Saudi authorities could not be immediately reached for comment on the issue.
Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV) is expected to make gains in European elections at the end of May, and has allied with other far-right parties across the continent, including France's National Front led by Marine Le Pen. He has previously compared the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, and claimed the religion is fascist.
Attempts to prosecute him for his claims have failed. He was acquitted on charges of inciting hatred in 2011, with judges arguing that his comments were directed against a religion rather than an ethnic group. There was recent outrage after he promised during local elections in March to ensure "fewer Moroccans" in the Netherlands.
(Source)
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