A provocative and ignorant remark

Every now and then comes a fanatic seeking fame at the expense of religious sensitivities. Whilst the fallouts of last year's Danish cartoon crisis, in which the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) was portrayed as a terrorist, are still alive, the last thing the world needs is another controversy.

Not very far from Denmark, where the infamous cartoons were published, another anti-Islam statement, coming this time from a Dutch anti-immigration politician, threatens to pit communities against each other.

MP Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party, says Muslims should "tear out half the Quran" if they wanted to live in his country. Furthermore, he would chase the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) out of the Netherlands if he were alive today.

He is way out of line and his unprovoked statement will only widen the gap of mistrust between Muslims and Christians in Europe - for long a bastion of tolerance and multiculturalism. By stirring up emotions, the statement will lead to another crisis ... unless he takes it back.