Over 50 Arrested in Bangladesh Anti-US Movie Protest
Defying a ban on rallies, thousands of people, most of them supporters of Islamic parties, on October 12 tried to stage a march in the Bangladesh capital in protest against an anti-Islam film, leading to a clash with riot police who took into custody over 50 demonstrators.
Witnesses said several thousand protesters, mainly from a 12-party Islamic coalition, gathered in front of Baitul Mokarram National Mosque in downtown Dhaka after the weekly Friday prayers and tried to stage a march against the film as well as what they called anti-Islamic Internet campaigns.
Police in armored vehicles tried to disperse the protesters using batons, tear gas and water canons.
Some 90 percent of Bangladesh's 153 million people are Muslims. The impoverished South Asian nation is home to the world's fourth-largest Muslim population.
On Sept. 21, some 10,000 Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka to demonstrate against the film outside the country's largest mosque.
The Bangladesh government has denounced the film and blocked YouTube, where the film has been posted.
By Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
OIC Resolution Condemns Anti-Islam Film, Cartoons
Over 15,000 Rally in Pakistan against Anti-Islam Video
Thousands in Michigan Slam Blasphemous Movie, Cartoons
Thousands of Indonesians Protest U.S.-Made Film
