Why can't the cartoonists,the journalists,the opinion makers,the media owner's,the policy makers,the politician's,the social and the religious leaders and all of us try to develope us towards Solidarity and Harmony in place of supporting hate creating issues,conflicts!!

Why we need Islam Bashing ? Why can't we accept each other and struggle our societies against all sorts of Social Evils?

Why can't we say "Enough is enough",non of us would ever support the yellow journalism,nerrow vision,and what so ever hurt a single individual.
I request all the readers "let us join hands on one plat form saying We are One Nation like a Rain Bow and we love every body's culture and respect every body!

By Khalid Ahmed Chaudry | May 16, 2008 2:32 PM

As an U.S. citizen hoping to become a Nederlander, I find this arrest one of many signs that this society or the policy makers are following the same shameless, judgment and punishment policy as the United States. To think you can control thought and expression will only lead to the need for prisons and cause the people to rebel more. If you don't like it don't read it. No one can ever stop words being written or expressions being drawn. If it is stupid then intelligent people will know that. To each his own.

By lee | May 16, 2008 5:32 PM

Horrible. Humor and satire are crucial for free society. Once you start jailing cartoonists for their cartoons in the name of political correctness, you are on a slippery slope towards ... EUSSR?

By Marian Kechlibar | May 17, 2008 12:04 PM

this is another of many signs how dutch policy is following the american way. To think you can imprison thoughts or expressions will only lead to more outrage and lead to the need for more prisons. to each his own. Opinions are just that. To suppress them leads to violence. Look at America and learn.

By lee | May 17, 2008 1:21 PM

I have to admit, it is kind of scary reading this article. Is saying something about the fanatical behavior of some Muslims proclaiming that they are doing this in the name of Islam, a discriminating statement?
Is this not really taking some of our freedoms away? Is this not a little bit like saying that we are so dumb not being able to determine what's good, or what's bad for us and need the government to make that decision for us?

Reminds me that during the war, the police would come to our house and searched it in the hope of finding something clandestine. That was then, but now?
Scary, scary indeed.

By Hank | May 17, 2008 2:30 PM

We really cannot have people intimidated or arrested for their opinions.

If this trend goes on I'm going to start being very discriminated against religious beliefs. They absolutely cannot have it going one way all the time. Religion is a tolerable neuroses and a nice game for some people but it stops when they try to tell others what to say, when to say it and when to shut up.

It is unconscionable that a cartoonist should be arrested for discrimination. The Netherlands is not a muslim nation, it is time for muslim people to accept that fact.

By frank | May 17, 2008 3:40 PM

My wife's family live in Friesland and I have been trying to explain to fellow Canadians that although there are concerns in Holland about intergration, just as there here in Canada, Wilders represents a small paranoid minority. But with this reaction to a cartoonist, just because he choose to poke fun at fundamentalist Islamists, maybe Mr. Wilders is not that paranoid. Unless the Dutch government wants to lend credibility to Wilders they better start defending Liberal Democracy and not extremist religious views.

By D. Fitzsimmons | May 17, 2008 4:51 PM

Those who are burnt on peddling descrimination against any race should not be spared by the whip of the law.

Those found guilty should face the music.

It is unforgivable to hide on the shield of freedom of expression whilst deliberately hurting other races.

The authorities entrusted to enforce the law should impartially and honestly without favour executed their mandate.

By cm | May 17, 2008 5:57 PM

Imprisoning a cartoonist is the height of idiocy! Those who support it should remember their own views may come under fire one day. Would you want to be jailed for it?

By Jen | May 18, 2008 1:01 PM

In response to cm comments, I think he is making a big deal out of nothing. He obviously is taking the side of the Islamic radicals in their conquest for us to adhere to their points of view. Freedom of expression or freedom to worship are not equally administered around the world, especially not in countries were radical Islamic views are predominant. Assimilation is going to be a one sided view once the Government steps in and forces it down your throat, especially there it seems that the majority has to assimilate to accommodate the minority. What is so difficult loosening up a little bit and smell the roses? If I offend any person with this observation, I apologize for your narrow minded point of view and only ask you to: "Please live with it, there are more important things in life to worry about".

By Hank | May 19, 2008 3:20 PM

RE: Khalid

Thus the saying, "There is no perfect world."

As far as my own personal comment to the article, this makes me think about the US soldier who used the Koran for target practice; was it asking for trouble? Yes. Does he deserve to be punished? Absolutely NOT. How dare the Muslims (and I quote) "demand he be punished" when we're the ones having to retrieve our beheaded service members? The entire issue between Muslims and other cultures will forever be a repulsive, drama ridden topic of discussion, no matter how badly the overall people want to resolve it... sad, but true.

By LRB | May 19, 2008 4:18 PM

And where is this imaginary line between free speech and airing unacceptable views? Furthermore, who gets to decide where this line is? Allowing a sensitive group of religious nuts in a secular society to dictate this line is an insult to the freedom and democracy of the Western world.

By Grant W | April 23, 2009 8:45 AM