Muslims march against cartoons

2006-02-09 13:48

Cape Town - A large crowd of Muslims, estimated by police to number about 6000, is making its way through Cape Town's CBD to protest cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

Leadership of the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) who organised the march called for restraint and discipline, saying the eyes of the world were on the protest.

The marchers were led by religious leaders such as imams and moulanas. They are expected to hand over a memorandum to a Danish government official in front of the City Hall.

Marchers had been ordered to abide by strict conditions or face possible arrest, the City of Cape Town said.

Wilfred Solomons of the city's disaster risk management centre said all participants in the march would have to remain unarmed and unmasked.

They are not allowed to incite any member of the public; are to refrain from arguing with people not participating in the march; and not utter hate speech.

"If the marchers burn the Danish flag or any other flag it will constitute an unlawful act in terms of the statutory legislation, and offenders could be prosecuted in terms of the Criminal Procedures Act 51 of 1977," said Solomons.

In terms of the permit, marchers will have to disperse by 14:00.

On Wednesday, the MJC leadership met Danish ambassador Torben Brylle to discuss the worldwide furore caused by a Danish newspaper initially publishing the offensive cartoons, which were then reprinted elsewhere.

After this meeting, MJC president Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels said Thursday's march would be peaceful and not mimic similar protests internationally which have been marred by violence.

- SAPA