JEDDAH: Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation met on Tuesday to discuss the announcement by a Dutch politician of a competition for cartoons featuring Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Geert Wilders last month said that his right-wing Freedom Party — the leading opposition party in the Dutch parliament following the country’s general election in March — is organizing the contest to highlight the importance of freedom of speech.
During their meeting in Jeddah, Pakistani Ambassador Khan Hasham bin Saddique and OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousaf Al-Othaimeen condemned the competition and discussed ways to educate non-Muslims about the sensitivity of the issue and persuade the organizers to cancel the contest. Other matters of bilateral interest were also discussed.
The ambassador also met Islamic Development Bank (IDB) President Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar to discuss its projects in Pakistan.
Dr. Al-Hajjar reiterated the bank’s full cooperation with Pakistan in all its work in the country.