Hundreds in US film protest
Hundreds of Muslims took to the streets of Leicester yesterday to protest at a controversial American film.
Roads were closed off as the protestors congregated outside the Central Mosque, in Conduit Street, at 2.30pm, to complain about the amateur film Innocence of Muslims.
The 400 protestors, many carrying placards, listened to imams from mosques throughout the city condemn the film at the peaceful 30-minute outdoor meeting.
The film denigrating the Prophet Mohammed has sparked unrest in many parts of the Muslim world over the past 10 days, and the deaths of at least 33 people, including the US ambassador to Libya, have been linked to the violence.
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Much of the anger has been directed at the US government, even though the film was privately produced in the US and American officials have criticised it for insulting Muslims.
At yesterday's Leicester protest, Mahommed Machar, 24, of Evington, said: "I felt it was important for me to be here.
"I have come down to register my protest against this film and its message. The film is abusing the freedom of speech, not upholding it."
Mohammed Ayub, 43, of Evington, said it was vital to get across the message about non-violence.
He said: "This is the way to protest, not to resort to violence. You can tell by the numbers of people here today, the strength of feeling about this film here in the city of Leicester."
Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, head imam of the Islamic Centre, said the film had caused global unrest in the Muslim world.
He said: "The film is the worst possible violation of freedom of expression.
"We firmly believe that Prophet Mohammed always taught and practiced peace and tolerance and throughout his life he always upheld universal human values.
"To depict him as a violent extremist is disgusting and reprehensible.
"Muslims consider it a gross insult to the Prophet and we call upon all faith leaders to condemn this unjustified action and show their solidarity with the Muslim world in respect of safeguarding the honour and sanctity of all faiths and their founders."
Malik M Salim MBE, chairman of the Islamic Centre, appealed to the Muslim community to remain calm.
He said: "We would like to record the protest and wish to communicate to those extremists that the hatred of Islam through such movies would not harm the great personality of the Prophet or any aspect of Islam, but would only backfire on the people who spread venomous ideas."
Inspector Chris Cockerill, responsible for policing the event, said the protest had passed off peacefully.
He said: "We work closely with the Central Mosque and have done so concerning this event.
"It is part of our duty to ensure that people can take part in a peaceful protest and that is what we had here in Leicester."
Once the meeting was over, the road blocks were lifted.
Comments
by Mr_Paul11
Thursday, September 27 2012, 7:56AM
“Not that I'm saying the Nazis were democratically legitimate, but no UK party since at least 1820 has achieved 40%, never mind 44%. There are uncomfortable but important lessons to be learnt from their rise to power in a democracy.”
by Davy_L
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 10:07PM
“Sansue - I can cope with the smugly superior tone with which you address other people posting comments on this forum. I can even put up with the gross hypocrisy of your know-it-all attitude that one minute demands tolerance, patience and understanding of other people's circumstances yet the next allows you the luxury of crassly guessing as to the circumstances of others when it suits you to do so - "Let me guess – leafy suburbs?" However, I can't allow you to post some of the grossly hyperbolic inaccuracies that you have chosen to previously without any kind of challenge. Most specifically, your erroneous assertion that "popular opinion was with the Nazi's in 1930's Germany." It wasn't. In truth, the highest percentage polled by the Nazi Party in any kind of meaningful vote prior to their seizure of power in 1933 and the subsequent abolition of the democratic system and freedom of expression did not exceed 44%. The truth behind the Nazi's rise was actually the impotence and naivety of both the domestic opposition parties within Germany itself and other regional and world powers, Britain and France included; all of whom failed to recognise the inherent danger of the fundamentalist ideology being thrust upon them before it was too late. We should perhaps all keep this in mind a bit more.”
by Davy_L
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 10:06PM
“Sansue - I can cope with the smugly superior tone with which you address other people posting comments on this forum. I can even put up with the gross hypocrisy of your know-it-all attitude that one minute demands tolerance, patience and understanding of other people's circumstances yet the next allows you the luxury of crassly guessing as to the circumstances of others when it suits you to do so - "Let me guess – leafy suburbs?" However, I can't allow you to post some of the grossly hyperbolic inaccuracies that you have chosen to previously without any kind of challenge. Most specifically, your erroneous assertion that "popular opinion was with the Nazi's in 1930's Germany." It wasn't. In truth, the highest percentage polled by the Nazi Party in any kind of meaningful vote prior to their seizure of power in 1933 and the subsequent abolition of the democratic system and freedom of expression did not exceed 44%. The truth behind the Nazi's rise was actually the impotence and naivety of both the domestic opposition parties within Germany itself and other regional and world powers, Britain and France included; all of whom failed to recognise the inherent danger of the fundamentalist ideology being thrust upon them before it was too late. We should perhaps all keep this in mind a bit more.”
by Davy_L
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 10:06PM
“Sansue - I can cope with the smugly superior tone with which you address other people posting comments on this forum. I can even put up with the gross hypocrisy of your know-it-all attitude that one minute demands tolerance, patience and understanding of other people's circumstances yet the next allows you the luxury of crassly guessing as to the circumstances of others when it suits you to do so - "Let me guess – leafy suburbs?" However, I can't allow you to post some of the grossly hyperbolic inaccuracies that you have chosen to previously without any kind of challenge. Most specifically, your erroneous assertion that "popular opinion was with the Nazi's in 1930's Germany." It wasn't. In truth, the highest percentage polled by the Nazi Party in any kind of meaningful vote prior to their seizure of power in 1933 and the subsequent abolition of the democratic system and freedom of expression did not exceed 44%. The truth behind the Nazi's rise was actually the impotence and naivety of both the domestic opposition parties within Germany itself and other regional and world powers, Britain and France included; all of whom failed to recognise the inherent danger of the fundamentalist ideology being thrust upon them before it was too late. We should perhaps all keep this in mind a bit more.”
by sansue
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:08PM
“"If I had a Mulim neighbour or colleague I would if the subject came up"
Let me guess; leafy suburbs?!”
by sansue
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:08PM
“"If I had a Mulim neighbour or colleague I would if the subject came up"
Let me guess; leafy suburbs?!”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 6:47PM
“Gazza429
If I had a Mulim neighbour or colleague I would if the subject came up”
by Gazza429
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 5:00PM
“I'm born and bred here in Leicester. I used to be so proud to be a part of such an amazing, diverse community. You all have just proven that everyone is a racist, regardless of how multi cultural a society is. I wonder if you'd ever speak like this to your muslim neighbours or Colleagues.”
by Mr_Paul11
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:42PM
“Much must depend upon what the demonstrators were seeking. If they were showing their disgust and revulsion at the film, peaceably, there can be no possible objection to their right so to do.
If they were trying to have that film "banned" (whatever that may mean in the internet age), their protest, while futile, is a legitimate part of the democratic process, though many of us would seek vigorously to oppose any overt restriction on the general right of free speech, which must include publications critical of, or upsetting to, the followers of particular religions.
In so far as such demonstrations may appear to support the violence seen in other parts of the world, they are, at best, seriously misguided.”
by robbc7
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:39PM
“Sansue says:
"Ps, I went on holiday with my family, hence the postings stopping. Unpopularity has never stopped me doing or saying anything, in fact it spurs me on."
Sansue wants to stay popular with Sansue's family, hence the postings stopped? Or did Sansue want to be the popular one on holiday, hence relax and not spur anything at all?
x”