A mass demonstration of 100,000 Muslims will take place in London next weekend as anger continues over publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. The Muslim Action Committee, an umbrella group which claims to represent more than a million Muslims, said it would do as much as it could to prevent the ugly scenes seen last week when protesters carried placards issuing death threats and one man dressed as a suicide bomber. | "So if somebody gets out of line, it ain't our fault" |
Faiz Saddiqi, the committee convener, said: "It is a peaceful protest. We will not let it be hijacked by the fringe elements. "It is a way of showing the depth of anger that Muslim communities feel about being continually insulted by the publication of these images." The march, on Feb 18, will go from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park. Mr Saddiqi said that only banners and placards issued by the committee would be allowed.
It will be the fifth demonstration in three weeks. Around 3,000 members from Britain's Shia Muslim community will congregate in London today for the Ashura Festival, while several thousand Muslims are expected in London on Saturday for a rally. The Metropolitan Police will patrol the events as normal but said they "had plans" in place should trouble break out. The Muslim Action Committee was convened specifically to co-ordinate a response to the growing crisis over the publication, initially in Denmark, of cartoons depicting Mohammed, which have led to worldwide protests. Mr Saddiqi said they wanted to make clear that their fight was not a political one, but a religious one. He said: "The whole thing is beginning to gain momentum and we felt we had to get together not only to appeal for calm but also to channel people's feelings."