Protests against Anti-Islam Film Continue in Pakistan
The head of a religious group in Pakistan on September 26 accused U.S. President Barack Obama of laying the foundations "for igniting a clash of civilizations."
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, was addressing the "National Consultation Conference for the Prophet's Honor" in the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
The conference follows worldwide protests against a low-budget film produced in the U.S. called "Innocence of Muslims" which denigrates the Prophet Muhammad.
The film has sparked unrest in many parts of the Muslim world over the past few days, and the deaths of at least 33 people.
Dozens of religious leaders were attending the conference, which was organized by Jamaat-ud-Dawa.
Referring to Obama's speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, in which the U.S. president defended the principles of free speech, Saeed said the U.S. government had "become part of this blasphemy".
Pakistan's government declared last Friday a national holiday -- "Day of Love for the Prophet" -- and called on people to take to the streets to protest peacefully about the film.
But the demonstrations turned violent, and at least 21 people were killed.
Meanwhile on September 26 in Karachi, hundreds of students of the University of Karachi protested against the film.
The issue became linked with Terry Jones, a pastor in Florida who gained notoriety in 2010 when he announced plans to burn copies of the Qur’an, following claims that he was behind the film.
September 26 protest took place at the university campus where angry students hanged and burned an effigy of Jones.
By Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Religious Groups in Brazil Condemn Attacks on Islam
Protest at France’s London Embassy over Prophet Cartoons
Bangladesh Protest over Anti-Islam Film Turns Violent
Lebanese Protest Anti-Islam Film
