By Somalilandtimes network

NAIROBI (Feb. 09, 2006) - The United States warned of potential violence during protests against cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed planned this week in Kenya's capital.

Kenyan Muslims have called for demonstrations, including a possible march on the Danish embassy in Nairobi, on Friday to vent anger at the cartoons that have sparked deadly violence in parts of the Muslim world.

As a result, the US embassy in Nairobi said it would close several offices of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) near the Danish embassy during the protests and urged all Americans to avoid the area.

"We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence," the embassy said.

"As a precaution, USAID project offices located in the (vicinity) will be closed on Friday," it said. "The US embassy urges all US citizens to avoid the area on Friday afternoon."

The cartoons, which first appeared in a Danish newspaper in September and have since been reprinted by other European publications, have sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world and attacks on Western diplomatic missions.

Several people have been killed in protests in Afghanistan amid violence throughout the Middle East and in east Africa one person was killed at a demonstration in Somalia.

Kenya has a sizeable Muslim minority, mainly along its Indian Ocean coast, and organizers of the main demonstration in Nairobi, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), say they expect up to 100,000 people to attend.

The group's chairman, however, insisted that the protest would be peaceful and aimed primarily at educating non-Muslims about the religion and its sacred principles.

"We are going to hold a peaceful rally tomorrow," Abdul Ghaful Busaidy told AFP. "We are truly offended by these cartoons and we want to take this opportunity to tell people who Mohammed is and why he is revered."

Meanwhile, visiting former South African Anglican archbishop and Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu appealed for Muslims to forgive the offense caused by the cartoons and urged them to reject violence.

"It is our message of hope that they will be able to find it within themselves in the end to forgive what has upset them," Tutu told a meeting of the All-Africa Conference of Churches in Nairobi.

"Our hearts are pleading with them to be persuaded for peace," he said. "If their protests (are to) continue, let them be peaceful and dignified."

Source: AFP,

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