On Thursday afternoon, Edwin Wagensveld, leader of the Dutch branch of Pegida, once again sparked controversy by burning a Quran in a square in Amsterdam, following a similar act in Arnhem last May. This gesture, which he had announced in advance, was justified by Wagensveld in the name of freedom of expression and the right to protest. Known for his Islamophobic positions, Wagensveld attracted counter-protesters, while the police secured the area around the iconic Stopera building. The incident once again stirs controversy due to the nature of the provocation and the tensions it generates in Dutch society.
