Eastern Muslims protest against Prophet Mohamed cartoons

[TamilNet, Friday, 10 February 2006, 12:35 GMT]
Several hundred Muslims Friday held demonstrations after Jumma prayers in front of mosques in Sammanthurai, Maruthamunai and Ninthavur protesting against publication of caricatures of Prophet Mohamed, first published in newspapers of Denmark and later carried by newspapers in several European countries, sources in the east said.

The demonstrators shouted slogans against the publications that carried the cartoons.

The demonstrations were peaceful and the protesters later handed over memoranda expressing their protest to the civil authorities to be sent to Denmark Embassy in Colombo , police sources said.

The offensive cartoon had an explosive device attached to the Prophet's head dress, insinuating close association of violence with Muslim faith. Muslims in several countries have joined in protests against the Danish Government, and Saudi Arabia and a few other Muslim countries have recalled their ambassadors from Denmark.