After massive protests by Islamists, Dutch lawmaker cancels cartoon contest on Prophet Muhammad

Wilders known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric, stirred a huge controversy by announcing to hold a contest for cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Mohammad.

Supporters of an Islamic seminary 'Jamia Naeemia' take part in a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, condemning a cartoon contest planned by Geert Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian. Members of a Pakistani Islamist group that made surprising gains in last month's national elections rallied against Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, who plans to hold a Prophet Muhammad cartoon competition in November. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

New Delhi: Following massive outrage and demonstrations in Islamabad, Dutch lawmakers Geert Wilders, has cancelled the controversial anti-Islam cartoon contest. As per reports in the Dawn News, Wilders said he has cancelled a planned blasphemous caricatures contest following "death threats and concerns other people could be put at risk". He had stirred a huge controversy by announcing to hold a contest for cartoons caricaturing the Prophet Mohammad. The planned contest had sparked angry protests in Pakistan because the physical depiction of Prophet Muhammad is forbidden in Islam. Protesters in Pakistan took to streets, shouting slogans against Wilders who had planned to hold the blasphemous contest in November this year.  Geert Wilders: A Dutch lawmaker, Wilders is known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric. He has lived under round-the-clock protection for years because of death threats by outraged Islamic groups. After angry demonstrations against the contest, Wilders withdrew his plans and said that he does not want others endangered by it. The Contest: Wilders planned to organise a contest which required making comic strips of the Prophet Muhammad. As per Dawn News, the contest was to have been held at the tightly guarded offices of his Party for Freedom in the Dutch parliament building. Information Minister of Pakistan, Fawad Chaudhary, called the cancellation of the contest, a victory of the nation.