Irish Muslims stage peaceful protest over Mohammed cartoons
Condemning worldwide violence, the peaceful protesters also used the event to openly thank the Irish media for not publishing the controversial cartoons.
About 300 people from Dublin’s Islamic community turned out for the march in response to calls for an “international day of anger”.
Organiser, Sheikh Dr Shaheed Satardien, said he was surprised at the large turnout.
Denouncing violence and appealing for calm in the Irish Muslim community, he said: “We are not violent people and we do not call for an international day of violence. We are dignified people and we control our anger.
“We appeal to our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world to stop the violence in the name of Mohammed.”
He congratulated the Irish media for using freedom of speech responsibly - the Irish Daily Star was the only paper to reproduce the cartoons.
Carrying banners reading Islam Means Peace, the chanting crowd marched along Clanbrassil Street Upper, New Street South and Kevin Street before passing the Danish Embassy on Stephen’s Green.
A number of speakers addressed the crowd at the Green’s entrance, before they dispersed peacefully.
Tom Molloy of Education for Peace thanked the sons and daughters of the Prophet Mohammed for bringing their spirituality to Ireland.
He said: “Ireland has had our own prophet and spirits insulted over the years, so we can sympathise with the Islamic community.”
Mohammed Syed, 36, a dispensing optician who has lived in Dublin’s city centre for five years, added: “I have come here today to show my love to the Prophet Mohammed. His message is peace so it is important for us to protest peacefully”.
