Thousands in Hong Kong Denounce Film, Cartoons Insulting Prophet
Thousands of Muslims in Hong Kong protested against an anti-Islam film and French cartoons on September 23, briefly scuffling with police as they tried to deliver a letter to the U.S. consulate.
The protesters, who numbered more than 3,000 according to police and organizers, held up banners to denounce the film and cartoons as they marched through the city chanting "Allahu Akbar" or "God Is the Greatest".
The group, including women in headscarf and children, briefly clashed with police as they tried to break through a cordon outside the U.S. Consulate to deliver a petition letter.
"Freedom of speech should not be used against any religion," Saeed Uddin of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a group that claims it represents some 300,000 Muslims in the city, said before the march.
"This is not the first time that our Holy Prophet has been insulted and attacked," he said, branding the cartoons and the film as "malicious, disrespectful and derogatory".
Uddin, a Pakistani who has lived in the southern Chinese city for 35 years, urged the American and French governments to take action against the filmmaker and cartoonist who are behind the controversial works.
The "Innocence of Muslims" film has sparked violent protests across the Muslim world and left more than 50 people dead since September 11.
French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons insulting Prophet Muhammad, further fuelling Muslim anger.
By Sadroddin Musawi
Other links: Many Killed in Pakistan Protests against Anti-Islam Film, Cartoons
Afghans Stage Fresh Protests against Anti-Islam Film, Cartoons
Lebanon Muslims Protest insulting Film, Cartoons
Egyptians Protest French Cartoons Insulting Prophet
