Geert Wilders’ Muhammad cartoon contest sparks Pakistani-Dutch diplomatic rift

[TomSea]

Geert Wilders’ Muhammad cartoon contest sparks Pakistani-Dutch diplomatic rift
The Washington Times http://www.washingtontimes.com

LAHORE, Pakistan — Those convicted of dishonoring the Prophet Muhammad or desecrating the Koran in Pakistan face the death penalty — one of the harshest punishments in the Islamic world.

But the harshness doesn’t stop at the South Asian’s country’s borders. Many Pakistanis, whose nation was birthed as a harbor and homeland for South Asia’s Muslim population, say they expect the same punishments to apply to non-Muslims abroad.

A diplomatic rift opened between Pakistan and The Netherlands after populist right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders announced in June a Prophet Muhammad cartoon competition with a $10,000 prize. The contest, now canceled, was clearly designed to provoke Muslims, who rioted in the past after Muhammed caricatures appeared in foreign newspapers. About 200 people submitted cartoons before Mr. Wilders‘ November deadline. Others in the Muslim world expressed disapproval of the stunt, but the reaction was far sharper in Pakistan.

Read more at: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/14/geert-wilders-muhammad-cartoon-contest-sparks-paki/