VIDEO - Dutch far-right figure burns Quran in Amsterdam; sparking protests

Edwin Wagensveld, leader of the far-right anti-Islam movement in the Netherlands, burned a copy of the Quran in central Amsterdam at infront of the city hall on Thursday evening, April 3.

Before setting it on fire, Wagensveld said his act aimed to “wake up the Netherlands”, according to the Dutch news website “NL Times”.

He announced his intentions beforehand, which attracted a significant police presence to maintain order.

In response, dozens of protestors came to the area, which led the police to cordon the site and clear it.

Read more: VIDEO: Man attacked after burning Quran outside Turkish Embassy in London

Edwin Wagensveld is leader of the Dutch branch of the far-right Pegida movement, and has repeatedly desecrated the Quran in the Netherlands.

On January 22, 2023, Wagensveld tore pages from a copy of the Quran near the Dutch parliament and trampled on them, while police observed without intervening.

He defended his actions by citing freedom of expression, stating, "It is about freedom of expression and I think that should be possible in the Netherlands."

This act drew sharp criticism from several countries at the time. Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the Dutch ambassador to express its condemnation, labeling the act as a "vile attack" and evidence of rising Islamophobia, discrimination, and xenophobia in Europe.

While desecrating the Quran is not explicitly illegal in the Netherlands, prosecutors highlighted that Wagensveld's accompanying remarks could constitute an unlawful insult to the Muslim community.

In subsequent months, Wagensveld continued his provocative demonstrations. On September 23, 2023, he tore copies of the Quran in front of the embassies of Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Denmark in The Hague. This led to condemnation from Jordan's Foreign Ministry, which emphasized the need to respect religious symbols and warned that such actions fuel hatred and violence.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also condemned these acts, urging Dutch authorities to take necessary measures against such provocations and prevent their recurrence. 

In January 2024, during a Pegida demonstration in Arnhem where Wagensveld intended to burn a Quran, clashes erupted between Pegida supporters and counter-protesters. Wagensveld and three police officers were injured, and multiple arrests were made.

Arnhem's Mayor Ahmed Marcouch condemned the violence, stating that while he understood the emotions involved, "violence is unacceptable."