THE HAGE, 07/12/07 - MuseumgoudA intends to show the controversial 'Mohammed pictures' by Iranian artist Sooreh Hera. The Gemeentemuseum in The Hague refused to display them.

The Gemeentemuseum, from 15 December, was to exhibit pictures of two gay men wearing masks of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and his son-in-law Ali. Initially, museum director Van Krimpen said he would "not be stopped by possible security risks" and found it "simply exceptional work". But he changed his mind over the weekend and banned the pictures "because certain sections of society found these offensive."

MuseumgoudA in Gouda now does want to show the pictures. Director Ranti Tjan could not name a date yet yesterday. "We will take our time to make solid agreements". Hera is pleased. 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," she said earlier.