I suspect this is an example of someone setting out to cause controversy and offense under the excuse of "art".

That said, whatever her motives, her freedom can not be removed on the basis that it causes offense.

The Archbishop of Canterbury wants to remove such freedoms and make causing religious "upset" a criminal offense.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article3272730.ece

John Erissson, blackpool, Lancs

I am glad the museum decided to not show the entire exhibit.The claim of freedom is nothing more than a sham.you cannot say fire in a crowded theater and call that freedom of expression,While I do believe in her original premiss regarding how homosexuals are treated in the middle east,I resent her attempt to defile the symbolism of Islam to show case her opinion.There is such a thing as fighting words and I believe society has a right to condemn such vile depictions.Freedom of expression goes both ways doesnt it.

housam, New York City, USA

jews have encouraged immigration, now they are moaning because their multicultural utopia has failed

amband, sydney, australia

I feel sorry for the people of Iran, especially homosexuals and women. And for the genuine muslims that just want to live by their faith. The extremist are making it hard for them. Now the west look at all muslims as all terrorist. Now come on Iran their are people in your country that are gay and should it matter. Get a life and live. I wonder why your country is a mess. The extremist in the west should go back to where they came from if they love a messed up society so much. I am neither muslim or christian but, tolerant all. Why can't we all just live our lives and step away from the past. The young men born to extremist are tought to hate, now i am sure your god is crying now. If muslims in the west want laws that are set in the middle east, well go back there where these evil laws prevail. I have muslim, christian, hindu, buddhist and shintoist friends and we all get on really well, and learn alot from each other That is what REAL religion is. Peace to all :)

Mykal, Newcastle, Australia

I am Iranian. I have gay people in my family. I support her art and I support her right to express the truth. Keen doing what you doj Hera. We support you. And a few words to crazy muslims: you are behind in social/economical and humanity terms. Maybe 'Allah' is trying to tell you something. Maybe you have failed as human beings. Think about that.

PrivateIranian, Earth, England,

I cry for Europe.
She is lost to a stoneage so called religion, the loss caused by gutless politicians of all stripes and general apathy/fear of the populace.
A civil war may reverse the islamification of Europe, if so it cannot come too soon.

David, Nassau,

It is a sad day when point of view is hacked to pieces and can no longer exist, when religious beliefs that portray peace and love are enforced by terror and violence.
In the case of Islam, why is it when opposing views are raised against it followers status quo is there a worldwide clamp down and uproar? Surely a faith that is so true ,must be able to defend and speak for itself without help from its followers? Surley if the priciples championed in the faith are morally right there will be no need to retaliate with such force and hate .... surely ?

Tope Chiedozie, London,

HTere is also another article on this website about a christ on the cross with an erection. Surely this is just as abusive to religion. But who cares. Religion is a point of view and no one can say they are correct and that what you are saying about it is wrong. God does not exist. Take offense if you like but only if I can take offense at your absurd refusal to look facts in the face and realise that GOD REALLY DOES NOT EXIST!

Blah, Europe,

In response to SM Hussain, I would point out that we live in a multi-cultural, multi-religious world. I am offended by many aspects of Islam, but I do not threaten to kill Muslims when they preach their belief that apostates or homosexuals must be killed. Why should they threaten those who take exception to their barbaric practices, not through violence, but through art? It is these threats surely that are the greater offence.

Roy Brown, Lausanne, Switzerland

Terrorism in the name of religion. How dare anyone impose their so-called beliefs on anyone with threats of terrorism. Religious extremists everywhere in the world, is your "religion" about love and peace or terror and control of others? You might want a refund!

Dan Charles, Seattle, Washington, USA

Just a note: Wim van Krimpen - director of the museum - was the person who encouraged Ayaan Hirsi Ali to produce the film with Theo van Gogh a few years ago. Yes, the film that got Van Gogh killed.

So I guess it's unfair to say he's a coward. I think he's just very careful. Can you blame him?

Robert, The Hague, The Netherlands

The article mentions Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Is'nt she the same person who got stripped of her citizenship for lying about her immigration status?
By the way, is'nt homosexuality banned in some major Christian churches and in most religions of the world?
Why must artists portray religious figures in photographs of gays, unless they want to deliberately provoke others?
Is'nt it a crime to unnecessarily provoke religious sentiments and cause unrest?

SM Hussain, Hyderabad, India

Come on guys let US put our points too. I am an Iranian citizen and you can be sure i am not paid to write this to you. But telling lies won't help long. As the audience will soon find out the truth. As they have long done. I am not taking sides with any parties or oragans, but this woman has fled a country which is the openest and the freest and the most tolerant considering islamic faiths if any of the readers has had the chance to live in islamic countries.

Coming to Sooreh's statement "many married men have relations with men" is a very sick opinion as far as the truth is concerned. IT IS SIMPLY A PLAIN LIE.

Going to Sooreh's accusing islamic governments and the Iranian governmet, specially, of "executing the gays..." I am asking you readers "Have you heard any gay being imprisoned, let alone executed, in iran in its recent history?"

There is a big misunderstanding here and Sooreh and her supporters are fighting for a wrong cause.

ibrahim , Ardebil, Iran

Surely it is time for a politician with balls to step forward and tell it like it is in the UK.Cowardly mainstream politicians stare down at their shoes when muslim groups complain about anything . The BNP seem perfectly rational and by far the most truthful of any political group we have.The Labour party have been deeply infiltrated by Islamic groups at a local level and we need to look more to the right for leadership.

tony, leeds,

what always surprises me with such stories is to remember that the beginning of normalisation of homosexual preference in the english-speaking world was its prominent presence in t e lawrence' 'seven pillars of wisdom'. oscar wilde had left it easy to marginalise and censor same-sex choice - but nobody could call lawrence of arabia a softy.
lawrence' arab friends did so much to make homosexuality generally acceptable in the west, now muslims are pretending they don't do that sort of stuff.
it would be funny if only it weren't.

chris o'neill, cardiff, cymru (uk)

It is cases like this that shows that free speech is not for the timid, or the complacent. Maintaining freedom requires courage and a willingness to stand up to bullies. As a practical matter, it also demonstrates that personal self-defense, and the means for effecting it, cannot be safely delegated to the state. Where this is attempted, we wind up locking ourselves up inside our little cages while only the police and the rogues can move about freely.

Scott Bieser, Cheyenne, Wyoming

One by one, the dominoes are falling in the West. Countries we have long admired for their courage and independence are falling prey to the virus of multiculturalism. It pains me to watch my national heroes fall to 7th century barbarians. Our only hope is to vote for politicians and parties that are clearly secular and western.

Rene, Ottawa, ON

I feel sorry for this artist. I also am quite concerned that the progressive and enlightened Dutch are now censoring themselves due to persistent threats of violence from Muslims. Every time I see a news item similar to this one, I think of the lack of public response from the purportedly more tolerant Muslim organizations in the West. Where are they and why have they not condemned the violence being threatened against this artist? Because they are also afraid of the violence being committed by their fellow Muslims and because many of these organizations do not identify with the social values of a civil society. How sad that the beautiful religion of Rumi and other Islamic writers, teachers, and artists has been fully taken over by those who are spreading Islam by the sword, the bomb, and by persistent threats against all who they consider enemies of Islam.

James Lovette-Black, San Francisco, California, USA

I am getting sick to death of religious types of all "faiths" Forcing their religious drivel down everyone else's throats. Perhaps now is the time to mandate a clear division between church and state, though that would mean clearing out the large number of fanatical MPs we are cursed with, not that it would be a bad thing to be rid of Cameron, Brown etc.
why europe cant grow a spine and give Muslim and other immigrants a plain and simple choice of "integrate or leave" and actually deport those who cause trouble and become "disassociated" as the apologists love to refer to fanatical terrorist wannabes.

Bill Jones, Dundee,

Foolish the artist maybe but we like in a Christian West. Those who want to live by Islamic tradition should seek asylum in the Muslim East.

Jane Fleming, Whittlesey, CAMBRIDGESHIRE