THE HAGUE, 04/12/07 - The Gemeentemuseum (Municipal Museum) in The Hague denies that it has allowed itself to be influenced by threats from Muslims. It was a voluntary choice to drop a work of art concerning the prophet Mohammed, a spokesman claims.

The museum decided last weekend to withdraw a number of items by the Iranian artist Sooreh Hera from an exhibition, because "certain sections of society found these offensive." A spokesman explained that museums have the freedom to choose for themselves what they display.

The Gemeentemuseum was to exhibit pictures of two gay men wearing masks of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and his son-in-law Ali. "As museum director, I do not maintain any political criteria. I am not stopped by possible security risks. I simply found it exceptional work," director Van Krimpen said last Friday. But he changed his mind over the weekend and banned the pictures.

"Muslims have threatened the museum," Hera claimed. "But the museum is not willing to admit that this is the reason why they do not wish to exhibit the works." The Iranian artist is convinced that fear is behind the rejection.

The Socialist Party (SP) on the city council of The Hague wants Hera's controversial photos displayed as planned from 15 December. SP councillor Hiek van Driel has asked the city executive to discuss with Van Krimpen what security conditions must be satisfied in order for the photos to be exhibited after all.

In the Lower House, the SP has maintained silence, like almost all the other parties. Only the Party for Freedom (PVV) has asked for a reaction from Culture Minister Ronald Plasterk.

Hera said yesterday that she is considering withdrawing all her work in protest. The decision by the Gemeentemuseum was "censorship", in her view. "The only conclusion I can draw is that Allah is indeed very great in the Netherlands and that fear rules."