The Association of Moroccan-Dutch People (SMN) has reacted with dismay to the huge election gains of the anti-Islam Freedom Party. Geert Wilders' party almost tripled its number of seats in the 150-member Lower House to 24.

The Moroccan group says "it is a smack in the face of Dutch people of Moroccan descent". The organisation says it received many reactions, expressing pain at the thought that so many people voted for a party which sees no future for Islam in the Netherlands.

SMN Chairman Farid Azarkan said, "Moroccan-Dutch are now wondering whether their neighbours and colleagues still see them as fellow citizens of this country, and whether there is a safe future here for them and their children."

But he adds, "We must remember that most people in the Netherlands did not vote for the Freedom Party. That is a sign of hope. A very large majority of the Dutch population wants pluriformity and diversity. That is the Netherlands that we are so familiar with: a country of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and solidarity."

The Freedom Party has not commented on the statement.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

• Hilarious promotion video calling Dutch Muslims to go and vote. Source: smnnet.nl