By Somalilandtimes network

NAIROBI, Feb. 10, 2006 – Thousands of Kenyan Muslims took to the streets of the capital Nairobi on Friday to protest against the publication of controversial cartoon images of the Prophet Mohammad by a Danish newspaper.

The protesters, chanting anti-western slogans, said they were demonstrating to "send a strong message to those bent on causing religious tensions" in the world.

The peaceful march began shortly after Friday prayers in central Nairobi and proceeded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where a memorandum was handed to the Kenyan government to demand an appropriate apology on behalf of Kenyan Muslims.

"It is sad to note that a country such as Denmark, which has collaborated well in the past with others to promote human rights and peace could be the source of unrest in different parts of the world that has led to loss of lives and property," Hussein Khalid, coordinator of the Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) said.

Abdulghafur El-Bussaidy, chairman of the Supreme of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) said prayers were arranged to "express our love for Prophet Mohammed and to send a strong message to those bent on bringing religious tensions."

El-Busaidy also demanded an "unconditional apology" from the governments of European countries, whose media published the caricature, through the Kenyan government, saying they too were part of the aggrieved 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.

"There is a deliberate misconception by the west to link Jihad and terrorism," he said, adding, "Jihad means strife or fighting against evil."

The Muslims vowed to press the Kenyan government to cut diplomatic relations with Denmark, where the caricatures were originally published in that country's dailies.

The Chairman of the Leaders Forum Abdillahi Abdi described the cartoons -- some of which depicted the Prophet as a terrorist -- as an "in insult to the prophet, the Muslims community and the religion of Islam."

He also advised the Muslims to avoid Danish products to punish the government for not taking any action against the newspaper.

On Monday, the Danish embassy in Nairobi apologized for the misunderstanding caused by the publication of the cartoons and expressed its willingness to meet with the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims but was yet to get a reply.

Danish Ambassador Kenya Bo Jensen told a news conference in Nairobi that his country is horrified by wave of attacks in Middle East, the burning of its embassy in Syria and the Consulate in Beirut by protesters.

Muslim rage has swept Europe and the Middle East after the publication of the caricatures, some showing the prophet wearing at urban resembling a bomb.

The caricatures, first published in September, angered Muslims in part because Islam bars any depiction of the image of the Prophet Mohammad.

At least four people have died in violent protests in Somalia and Afghanistan against cartoons following more than a week of demonstrations.

Further protests have been taking place from Gaza to India, Indonesia and Iran.

Source: Xinhua

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