While the majority expressed anguish at the printing of the cartoons, they insisted the indulging in or inciting of violence was no way to react.
LONDON: While the rest of the Muslim world is busy demonstrating against the Danish newspaper printing a cartoon depicting Prophet Mohammed as a terrorist, Muslims in Britain are trying to contend with the controversy raised by those protesting the cartoons in the capital last Friday.
Members of the banned militant Islamic group Al-Muhajiroun, which disbanded in 2004 and owes allegiance to deported cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed, marched through London streets after Friday prayers brandishing placards urging Muslims to use violence against those who insult the prophet.
One man dressed up as a suicide bomber walked with the marchers, offending onlookers who urged police to take action. Though at the time the police took a lenient approach and the demonstration passed off peacefully, it has raised a huge storm with demands from liberal Muslim groups that action be taken these rouge factions who are damaging the image of Islam.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the general secretary of Muslim Council of Britain, said he was “utterly disgusted” by the offensive banners and demanded action be taken against the perpetrators. Asghar Bukhari of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee told DNA “they are handful of thugs who are holding the community to ransom and who do not represent the feelings of ordinary Muslims.”
While the majority of the Muslim community expressed anguish at the printing of the cartoons in various European newspapers they insisted the indulging or inciting violence was not the way to react. “We are holding a counter demonstration on Saturday in Trafalgar Square, which we hope will be supported by Muslim and Non-Muslims alike who believe that the printing of the cartoons and the subsequent violence are both wrong. Protests must be peaceful,” argued Harris Bukhari of the Muslim Association of Britain.
After increasing pressure over the weekend to arrest Friday’s offensive protestors, Downing Street today called the placards unacceptable and said it was considering taking steps.
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