Dutch anti-Islam MP says state TV 'sabotaged' airing of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cartoons

Dutch Muslims ignore Wilders; authorities say his right to airtime could be suspended for up to 4 years

THE HAGUE: Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders claimed Saturday that the state broadcaster 'sabotaged' his planned airing of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on television.

"Sabotage by the NOS (broadcaster) everything was confirmed but not broadcast," Wilders tweeted after a previous party political broadcast about immigration was aired instead of the cartoons.

Read: Dutch lawmaker wants to show Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cartoons on TV

"I will put the images on YouTube and next time on television even if I have to go to (the studios in) Hilversum," Wilders said.

Wilders had said Friday that he would show the cartoons in the name of his Freedom Party (PVV) on Saturday morning and again on Wednesday and July 3.

Wilders said he was making the broadcasts to defend freedom of speech after two militants were shot dead while attacking a draw Muhammad cartoon contest in Texas last month.

Read: Two dead, one wounded at Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cartoon contest in US

NOS editor in chief Marcel Gelauff tweeted to Wilders that the broadcaster "has nothing to do with party political broadcasts. We do news, sports and current affairs."

Dutch authorities have said Wilders' move could see his right to airtime suspended for up to four years, while Dutch Muslims have been steadfastly ignoring Wilders.

Even if the cartoons were broadcast, "absolutely nothing would have happened," said Aissa Zanzen, spokesman of the Council of Moroccan Mosques in The Netherlands.

Read: Netherlands plans to ban full-face veils in public places

"Besides, we are busy with our preparations for Ramazan, including making food," he said. "He is simply being ignored."

Dutch embassies have reportedly been advised on measures to take if the cartoons are broadcast, as they could spark violent protests.

Wilders' announcement earlier this month that he wanted to show the cartoons on television prompted the Council of Moroccan Mosques in The Netherlands to release its own cartoon mocking Wilders as a spoilt child with a big mouth.

Read: Tense standoff outside US mosque over Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cartoon protest

The cartoon shows Wilders shouting "fewer, fewer" in reference to his announcement last year that he would reduce the number of Moroccans in The Netherlands.

Behind the politician is the bomb that he wants to explode in Dutch society, while below the bomb and the hysterical Wilders are normal citizens, including Muslims, getting on with their lives and ignoring the bouffant-hairdoed populist.

"We're building The Netherlands further," the cartoon says.