Thousands of Muslims from Umno and PAS converged in Kuala Lumpur today to protest against the anti-Islam film clip that has triggered anti-US demonstrations across the globe.
PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub led their ‘green protest’ after Friday prayers at the Tabung Haji mosque on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.
After that, they marched some 1km to the United States Embassy.
Meanwhile, Umno's protest led by its Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin converged at Kampung Baru mosque, about 3km from the embassy.
Both protests were backed by various Muslims groups and NGOs.
A trailer on the low-budget movie made in the US that was posted on YouTube angered Muslims worldwide for its mocking of Prophet Muhammad and for portraying Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent.
Google has since barred access to the clip by Malaysian users.
PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub led their ‘green protest’ after Friday prayers at the Tabung Haji mosque on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak.After that, they marched some 1km to the United States Embassy.
Meanwhile, Umno's protest led by its Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin converged at Kampung Baru mosque, about 3km from the embassy.
Both protests were backed by various Muslims groups and NGOs.
A trailer on the low-budget movie made in the US that was posted on YouTube angered Muslims worldwide for its mocking of Prophet Muhammad and for portraying Muslims as immoral and gratuitously violent.
Google has since barred access to the clip by Malaysian users.
'PAS should leave Pakatan'
In his speech at Umno's 3,000-strong protest, Khairy urged PAS to leave Pakatan Rakyat as DAP has allegedly not shown solidarity in protesting against the film, Innocence of Islam, and caricatures that badly depict the video.
Khairy (right, with sash) claimed he brought along many people of various races, from BN component parties MCA and MIC as well, to protest against the "demeaning acts" committed by the film producer, Sam Bacile, whopse rela name is Nakuola Basseley.
“However, (Beruas MP) Ngeh Koo Ham said that this (protest) is a waste of time,” said Khair, speaking from a van that served as a make-shift stage.
Khairy (right, with sash) claimed he brought along many people of various races, from BN component parties MCA and MIC as well, to protest against the "demeaning acts" committed by the film producer, Sam Bacile, whopse rela name is Nakuola Basseley.“However, (Beruas MP) Ngeh Koo Ham said that this (protest) is a waste of time,” said Khair, speaking from a van that served as a make-shift stage.
Also present were Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali, former Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali and leaders from the Wanita, Puteri and Youth wings of the other BN parties and NGOs.
“We are in solidarity with our brothers in PAS protesting this as it has nothing to do with politics, but a desecration of Islam and Prophet Muhammad. We would do the same if this happens to any other religion,” Khairy said.
“However, we do not find this in Pakatan. Not only they do not join and protest, like in Bersih, they criticise those who want to protest.
“We are in solidarity with our brothers in PAS protesting this as it has nothing to do with politics, but a desecration of Islam and Prophet Muhammad. We would do the same if this happens to any other religion,” Khairy said.
“However, we do not find this in Pakatan. Not only they do not join and protest, like in Bersih, they criticise those who want to protest.
"For this reason, maybe PAS should rethink its role in Pakatan and leave it.”
Khairy said if the DAP was truly democratic, it should have taken action against Ngeh.
Khairy said if the DAP was truly democratic, it should have taken action against Ngeh.
On Sept 17, Ngeh (left) commented on the protests, tweeting, "Khairy wants Muslim protest against Same Bacile. For Islam or for his political gains? Are Muslims wasting too much time and energy on this?"
The tweet got Umno in a flurry and Ngeh eventually buckled to pressure and apologised.
Khairy said Umno was not joining PAS in its protest outside the US Embassy for security reasons, but claimed that he and PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan were united and originally wanted to protest together.
After Budget 2013 is tabled next week, he added, Umno Youth would organise an event to commemorate and glorify Prophet Muhammad and he invited PAS Youth to attend the event.
Memorandum to US government
Meanwhile, the protest by PAS, which drew some 5,000 people, dispatched six representatives to hand a memorandum to the US Embassy.
They were Salahuddin, Nasruddin, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat, PKR vice presidents Tian Chua and Nurul Izzah and Majlis Perundingan Islam Malaysia president Mohd Azmi Hamid.
However, no embassy officer was present to accept the memorandum, which was received by an embassy security officer.
The memorandum, among others, demanded that the US takes action against the video producer and to investigate the motive behind the video, besides making an apology.
Some protesters also set fire to anti-US banners outside the embassy but the fire was quickly put out by PAS' crowd control corps, Unit Amal.
Salahuddin, who is also Kubang Kerian MP, in a speech outside the embassy demanded that the US apologises for the insulting video.
"The US must apologise to Muslims throughout the world. US President Barack Obama has to take responsibility and apologise to the world... We will defend Prophet Muhammad in whatever way necessary," he said.
Tian Chua declared solidarity with Muslims in the country, stating that defending the sanctity of religion was a universal matter.
"We demand that the US, as well as all governments, defend (the sanctity) of Islam and other religions," Tian Chua said.
After the protest, Cheras OCPD ACP Mohan Singh Tara Singh said he was satisfied with the conduct of protesters.
"They followed the rules and controlled and supervised (their people) well. No untoward incident took place and they dispersed after handing over the memorandum," Mohan Singh said.
PHOTO GALLERY
After Budget 2013 is tabled next week, he added, Umno Youth would organise an event to commemorate and glorify Prophet Muhammad and he invited PAS Youth to attend the event.
Memorandum to US government
Meanwhile, the protest by PAS, which drew some 5,000 people, dispatched six representatives to hand a memorandum to the US Embassy.
They were Salahuddin, Nasruddin, PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat, PKR vice presidents Tian Chua and Nurul Izzah and Majlis Perundingan Islam Malaysia president Mohd Azmi Hamid.
However, no embassy officer was present to accept the memorandum, which was received by an embassy security officer.
The memorandum, among others, demanded that the US takes action against the video producer and to investigate the motive behind the video, besides making an apology.
Some protesters also set fire to anti-US banners outside the embassy but the fire was quickly put out by PAS' crowd control corps, Unit Amal.Salahuddin, who is also Kubang Kerian MP, in a speech outside the embassy demanded that the US apologises for the insulting video.
"The US must apologise to Muslims throughout the world. US President Barack Obama has to take responsibility and apologise to the world... We will defend Prophet Muhammad in whatever way necessary," he said.
Tian Chua declared solidarity with Muslims in the country, stating that defending the sanctity of religion was a universal matter.
"We demand that the US, as well as all governments, defend (the sanctity) of Islam and other religions," Tian Chua said.
After the protest, Cheras OCPD ACP Mohan Singh Tara Singh said he was satisfied with the conduct of protesters.
"They followed the rules and controlled and supervised (their people) well. No untoward incident took place and they dispersed after handing over the memorandum," Mohan Singh said.
PHOTO GALLERY
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