UPDATE - Islamophobic attack targets mosque in Netherlands

UPDATES WITH REMARKS OF DENK PARTY DEPUTY

By Abdullah Asiran

AMSTERDAM (AA) - A mosque in the Dutch capital Amsterdam was targeted by a group of far-right extremists, the head of the mosque said on Thursday.

The far-right "Rechts in Verzet" movement claimed responsibility for the attack and hanged anti-Islam banners and a headless model in front of the Emir Sultan Mosque in Amsterdam.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Kamber Sener, the head of the mosque, condemned the incident and said there were many far-right extremists who were trying to frighten Muslims.

Sener said they had encountered such an incident for the first time and added an investigation into the incident had been launched.

The banners hanged outside the mosque read: "Islam must be stopped. We do not want a mosque tied to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan in northern Amsterdam."

A deputy from Denk Party, established by two Dutch politicians of Turkish origin, told Anadolu Agency that the party's proposal to discuss the attack on the mosque in the parliament was rejected.

"Every time, the same parties do not accept the proposal for a debate," Farid Azarkan said.

Azarkan said it was "saddening" not to discuss such issues in the parliament despite many Islamophobic attacks in the country.