A large number of Muslims staged a demonstration in the city on Saturday protesting the controversial American film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ and demanding a ban on the film.
Hundreds of Muslims, many of them carrying black flags, converged near the Anna statue in Chinthamani for the massive demonstration, organised under the banner of Federation of All Muslim Organisations.
The demonstrators strongly condemned the film and called for a ban on YouTube which continued to carry the trailer of the film.
Speakers at the meeting said that the film has severely hurt the sentiments of Muslims, providing enough justification for banning it.
They also called upon the Union government to respect the sentiments of 20 crore Muslims in the country and summon the United States Ambassador to lodge the country’s strong protest. The State Assembly should also pass a resolution condemning the film.
They agitators also demanded a ban on the French newspaper, which had “added insult to injury,” by carrying a cartoon depicting Prophet Mohammad.
The agitation was led by T.K.Mohamed Yusuf, city secretary, Tiruchi Town Jama-a-thul Ulama. Representatives from 14 organisations, including the Tiruchi Town Jama-a-thul Ulama, Indian Union Muslim League, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, SDPI Katchi, Popular Front of India, Indian Towheeth Jamaath, Indian National League, Akila India Muslim League, Sunnath Jamaath Aikiya Peravai, Tamil Nadu Thowheeth Trust, Kalam Podu Nala Sangam, and Basme Rabbaniya, participated. Leaders of the organisations ensured that the 90-minute long demonstration was peaceful by repeatedly appealing for calm.
Heavy security arrangements had been made at the meeting venue. Road traffic between the Karur Bypass Road and Chinthamani was diverted during the agitation.
Two injured
Two persons, proceeding to the demonstration, suffered minor injuries when a State Transport Corporation bus hit their motorcycle in Thillai Nagar.
The windscreen of the bus was damaged when some persons pelted stones on the vehicle after the accident.
Keywords: Innocence of Muslims, anti-US protests
