London: 10 000 protest cartoons
2006-02-18 21:35
London - Thousands of Muslims protested in central London on Saturday to express their anger over the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.
The Muslim Action Committee (MAC), which organised the event, said they expected 40 000 to rally peacefully in Trafalgar Square.
A police spokesperson said 10 000 were present.
Shaykh Faiz Siddiqi, national convener of MAC, said: "We held the rally so the mainstream Muslim community could express their anger.
"We also want to invite the global community to a civilised dialogue. We want to say we don't need insults anymore. We don't need provocation any more.
"The mainstream Muslim community has a message to give which is that enough is enough."
Imran Waheed of the Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain group and a member of MAC, said: "This huge demonstration will send a clear signal that although Muslims are ready to hear and respond to criticism, we will not remain silent over cheap insults in the name of 'freedom of speech'".
The cartoons were first published in September in a Danish newspaper.
The publication prompted uproar in the Islamic world, with thousands taking to the streets to protest.
In London, 4 000 demonstrators converged last week for a peaceful protest.
A smaller demonstration in front of the Danish embassy earlier in the month provoked outrage as masked men called for those who insulted Islam to be beheaded.