Watan-A group of Muslim youths prevented the leader of the anti-Islamic extremist movement “Pegida” in the Netherlands, Edwin Wagensveld, from burning the Quran despite Dutch police protection for the extremist. Three youths were arrested after delivering a harsh lesson to him.
According to the Dutch website “standard,” Pegida leader Edwin Wagensveld was attacked by several youths in Arnhem on Saturday when he attempted to burn a copy of the Quran under police protection.
Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch told the ANP news agency that Wagensveld was injured, along with several police officers who were targeted with fireworks and stones. The extent of the injuries is unknown.
A video posted by Russia Today and followed by “Watani” showed Wagensveld alongside another extremist attempting to burn a copy of the Quran but failing and throwing it into a basket in front of them.
Several people can be seen clashing with the police, who were trying to prevent them from reaching the extremists.
محاولة فاشلة لحرق القرآن الكريم من قبل زعيم حركة “بيغيدا” المتطرفة المناهضة للإسلام في هولندا، إدوين فاجينسفيلد، حيث منعت مجموعة من الشبان حرق المصحف رغم حماية الشرطة الهولندية للمتطرف فيما اعتقلت ثلاثة شبان كما أصيب ثلاثة من عناصر الأمن.#هولاندا #قرآن #فيديو #فيديوهات #ريل… pic.twitter.com/ro1tTHSMLg
— RTARABIC (@RTarabic) January 14, 2024
The extremist fled in terror
One person is seen attacking Wagensveld and knocking him down, with others also assaulting the extremist. However, the police dealt with them forcefully.
The extremist is seen fleeing in terror to a car parked nearby.
The incident began when the Pegida leader decided to burn a copy of the Quran under police protection, which had set up significant security around the extremist. Muslim youths shouted protests during the attempt to burn the Quran, causing confusion among the police forces.
Indeed, one person managed to penetrate the ranks, remove the extremist, and prevent the burning of the holy Quran. However, the extremist returned, attempting again but failing for the second time and escaping in a police car.
في هولندا.. وفي محاولة جديدة لحرق المصحف الشريف على يد رئيس حركة متطرفة معادية للإسلام، يتصدى الشباب المسلم لهذا الاعتداء الأثيم، ويستطيعون اختراق صفوف الشرطة التي تحمي هذه الجريمة، وينجحون في الوصول إلى المجرم وتلقينه درسا، ليفر هاربا في سيارة الشرطة، ويستنقذ الرجال الشجعان… pic.twitter.com/pPwnM77ozE
— الھیئة العالمیة لأنصار النبي ﷺ (@SupportProphetM) January 14, 2024
The Muslim youths managed to retain the Quran, but the police quickly intervened, arresting a group of youths on charges of assaulting police officers and attempting to obstruct freedom of expression.
Wagensveld is the founder of the Dutch branch of the originally German Pegida movement, which is anti-Islam. He has been arrested multiple times in the past during provocatively organized protests by the group. In November, he was sentenced to forty hours of community service for insulting a group after describing the Quran as a fascist book.