Muslims Protest Blasphemous Film, Cartoons in Northern Nigeria
Hundreds of Muslims in Nigeria's northern state of Katsina on September 23 protested against the U. S.-made movie and the French cartoons that denigrated Prophet Muhammad.
The protesters shouted anti-U.S., France and Israel slogans with a call on the international community to punish those behind the sacrilegious movie and cartoons.
They condemned those using the media to attack Islam, urging Muslims across the world to come out and protest the desecration of Prophet Muhammad.
They later burnt the effigy of U.S. President Barack Obama and dragged the flags of the three countries on the streets for miles round the city.
On September 22, a similar protest was held in neighboring Kano State, where Muslims strongly condemned the anti-Islam movie and cartoons.
The protesters, who were closely monitored by security men, were allowed to express their grievances on the platform of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
Speaking to the protesters, the local leader of the Shiite group, Sheik Yakubu Yahaya, said the cartoons and movie were aimed at making a "mockery of the tenets and beliefs of Islam". Yakubu said the move was also aimed at institutionalizing the Sept. 11 event as an annual "ritual to portray Islam as a religion of terrorists".
By Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Bangladesh Protest over Anti-Islam Film Turns Violent
Pakistanis Stage New Protests against Anti-Islam Film
Germans Hold Protest against Anti-Islam Movie
Lebanese Protest Anti-Islam Film
