In-focus

Pakistan

Religious parties protest against anti-Islam film

Dunya News

Religious leaders are scheduled to address the rally at Tibet centre.

Thousands of people thronged the streets of Pakistans biggest city of Karachi on Saturday in the latest protest against a US-made anti-Islam film, police and witnesses said.The protesters, who included activists from the Sunni Tehreek, wore green and white headbands as they marched through the citys main M.A. Jinnah road while some trampled on the American flag.They chanted slogans including Hang the American film maker and We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the honour of Prophet Mohammed.We strongly condemn this anti-Islam movie, it is a criminal act, Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a prominent religious leader told the rally, and called for a global ban on insulting all prophets and messengers.Shafiq Ahmad, a senior police officer in Karachi, said there were at least 15,000 protesters while rally organisers claimed millions of people participated.Police beefed up security before the rally, while paramilitary forces were also deployed.The crudely-made Innocence of Muslims movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the globe.Pakistan experienced the worst of the violence last Friday when nationwide rallies mobilised more than 45,000, many members of various religious parties.At least 21 people were killed and 229 wounded, mainly in clashes with police.