Vociferous protests against the anti-Islam movie ‘Innocence of Muslims’ continued in Peshawar on Saturday.
Jamiat Ittehadul Ulema (JIU) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter President Abdul Akbar Chitrali declared a bounty worth Rs10 million on the head of the film’s producer. Addressing a rally at Ring Road, he urged the government to expel the US ambassador to Pakistan if the US does not impose a ban on the film.
Meanwhile, religious parties, Christian minority groups, traders and civil society members staged protests condemning the movie that has been deemed offensive by the West and the Muslim world alike. They rebuked the filmmaker for hurting the sentiments of Muslims and sabotaging interfaith harmony across the world.
Members of JIU accused the US and Israel of conspiring against Islam and portraying Muslims as terrorists and extremists. They also set fire to American and Israeli flags.
Local traders, under the leadership Tajir Insaf Traders Union, held a rally from Ashraf Road towards Qissa Khwani Bazaar. Vendors closed shops and participated in the rally which passed through several small markets in the city, hampering business activities for a couple of hours.
The Insaf Lawyers’ Forum (ILF), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer’s body, demanded of the federal and provincial governments to take up the issue of the film with the United Nations.
The Federally Administered Tribal Areas Student Federation (FSF) staged a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club, as did the Christian Coordination Council (CCC), a minority representative organisation.
Shehzad Ahmad, the Peshawar District president of Shabab Milli, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islaami, threatened to stage a sit-in outside the American Consulate in Peshawar.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (72)
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I just hope no one ever directly insults the Quran or Muhammad in a way that isn't as stupid as that video. If something as stupid as "Innocence of Muslims" or whatever can cause this then wow.
@Yuri Kondratyuk: Yes that is true and yet this is how they treat US flag in Pakistan! Yet it is to the credit of USA that they do not react to such provocations. Hope some tolerance is rubbed off on these flag burning morons.
@something to think about:
Its not about tht movie is of low class or never been recognized but matter is u all Knows that we have very close association with our prophit and there character was recognized internationally by top THE LINE of 100 more inspiring personalities by the american research scholars.We as a follower can be of bad character but our Ideals are of 100% right with there act/action in practics.
we need to be united against this dangerous attack on Muslims n protest aiming to surrender tht person as Afiya Siddiqui was surrender to them and give him punishment as per there own law as these people called them so human friendly.
Muslims so-called religious cum political leaders must stop making fool out ignorant pak people.it is a nothing movie which has no worth not even in the US but these bigots have made it an issue. there are hundreds of clips and short movies religiously attacking muslims and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). the people of Pak and Muslims elsewhere need to understand such things can not be stopped in the digital world where every single human being who access to the internet can upload and download anything S/he wants to. The religious parties have turn the no-issue into their favor by appealing to the mass sentiments of common people who follow them without thinking and asking questions.
It is obvious that the Quran prescribes death for blasphemy
@Singh: This is not from Singh It is a prophets prediction which will come true
@Tony Singh: All said and done with all the noble feelings of all, it is a good lesson for US and citizens of US for their generosity in helping the venemous poor countries
Can anyone tell how many of the protestors have watched the movie...and how many of them know English............or Arabic.......I have the answer............90% of them don't. How innocent we Muslims are.
Shame on all Muslim world. Not even one Muslim person stand up when Taliban destroy Buddha statue in Afghanistan. Where were your interfaith. Now everyone thumping their chest. I can predict now, time is not for away when war between civilization will happen. It will be between Muslim world non-Muslim. Every single Muslim will expelled from western world.so Muslim can live in dark ages. Muslim & secular is like north & South/
Whats wrong with the movie? Can someone tell me in what way its offensive?
well beauties
I can see many such movies coming up in future...
People can vote with their wallet and computer: Google is keeping the content up since traffic is up and they want make money by selling advertising. So if all the 1.7 billion people of muslim world simple decide to : not use google product, switch email accounts, not by andriot type smart phone. Means switch microsoft and apple. simple step, if they really care then vote with these thing which every muslim controls.
Funny big mouth people. I wonder all are unemployed to waste time like this.
The silly little man doesn't understand how America works. We don't have a totalitarian society. The US government did not make this movie. It does not have the power to ban it. Now continue with the burning and destruction.
this must be the filmmakers wet dream come true day.
@someone: Why you did not yet view the movie? See and appreciate the humour in the movie.
@kaalchakra: Pool of bounty-- Gave up on Security Council resolutions? You are an ideal follower of religion of peace.
@Ulijha A film with poor direction and terrible acting cannot in any way be Mossad or Raw conspiracy. Jews are known for film direction and Indians have the largest film industry.
The real issue is why Muslims think Muhammad, Islam and Quran cannot be ridiculed
Well, as a AMERICAN I do not believe Muslims are ALL VIOLENT TERRORIST. For the most part Muslims are just ignorant. You mock our religion and our "western" way of life but we do not go ballistic and Murder your leaders in our country. Then to kill an Ambassador that was helping your Country after it was liberated? Why? It is an American freedom to express yourself how ever you want, as it is every humans but Muslims have a high, undeserved sense of entitlement. If you have anything to say to me please say it to my face. I will gladly fly anywhere in the world to meet you and we can discuss this issue.
1- Voilnet protests are no good and your noises make more people to watch the film. 2-Loss of life and property is condemnable in strogect terms.Murderers must be punished. BUT also 3- whoever wants to defend the film must watch it but be careful, it is disgusting, utterly insulting and extremely abusive not fit for sane humans to see. 4 I dont think any western will defend such right to free speach if made to insult thier prophets in the same fashion which is not even describable.I think most commentators on this forum are naiev and blind believers in the west .I have seen DAVINCI CODE AND SOME FUNNY MOVIES BUT NOT LIKE THIS. THIS IS EXTREME.ALSO NOBODY WILL ALLOW A HOLOCAUST DENYING MOVIE UNDER THE PRETEXT OF FREE SPEACH.
Bill Maher, Of course the Quran does not mention killing someone for blaspheming or apostasy. But Islam does and rarely is Islamic Sharia based on the Quran. I fail to see why you bring up the Quran in your discussions about Islam and Islamic law.
Saw the film. It is crap and and insult to film-making as well. But Muslims must learn to accept the fact that people will continue to insult and criticize Muhammad, the Quran and Islam. With the internet and freedom laws this is unstoppable. Muslims who do not accept this might as well sever themselves from civilization.
I feel now exporting American flags to Pakistan and making some easy dollars would be a great idea :P
@Ulijha Pakistani who writes " The film really looks like a Mossad-RAW conspiracy"
Yes sir. I even found RAW watermark on the film.
I am proud of Pakistani people. Non-Muslim hypocrisy is just sickening, and must be stopped using all means possible. Let's create a global pool from which bounties could be offered for blasphemers everywhere.
Perhaps your law schools should add a basic course in International Law and while your at it maybe a primer on what the UN actually does.
@kanwal: Even they accept criminals as their rulers
Welldone KP, I wish people in other provinces have ghairat as well to register strong protests.
Americans are simply disgraceful
Welldone KP, I wish people in other provinces have ghairat as well to register strong protests.
In other news: Maulana Fazlurehman furious after being rejected US visa, says it is a violation of his basic rights
Look at their faces. DO they really looks like human.
Let's be honest - no one is more pleased when movies like this come out than the fanatics who who go on anti-western rampages because they claim to be insulted. This is like Christmas morning for them - a great new tool to recruit more people and raise more money. They should reward this idiot filmmaker for furthering their cause rather than place a bounty on his head!
I have not seen the movie and I DONT WANT TO SEE THAT MOVIE.... period. I think by reacting in this manner you guys are proving that whatever has been said in that movie is true... You guys are intolerant, violent, etc...
Because there's no better way of saving your religion's image than murdering its critics.
If one film made with just a few million dollars could kill 8 to 10 rioting muslims across the world, it's cheaper than using drones. The film really looks like a Mossad-RAW conspiracy
@Tony Singh: " I am setting a factory to manufacture American flags" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Another factory another Fire.
These so called Pakistani muslims need to ask themselves one question - how would our beloved prophet have reacted? Our Ulema need to realise this sooner rather then later
Make more people watch that movie with all this noise, protests and violence.. What a band of utter idiots !
They dont understand that the more you make a scene out of it, the more people will watch the movie to see what the fuss is all about !
Its almost akin to helping the producer and director of the movie with free promotion to all corners of the globe.
I mean.. It just goes to show how irrational, stupid and dumb we are !!
And these mullahs did not come out to protest the hundreds of deaths of their fellow muslims in their own country. Priorities, eh?
@sabi: Origins, conquests, nuptials, and the time lapsed before the 'sayings' were collected. That would be a good start.
Mr.X from Bomby
@sabi: "Thats because my dear, Islam maybe religion of peace, muslims are certainly neither peaceful nor tolerant" .I agree if you say some muslims.Lets be fair in our judgement
Observer, "if you do an independent and dispassionate research and contemplation" Pardon,research over what?
should,nt they be arrested and tried for inciting murder?
@Observer: you may also ask how they tolerate ruling elite policies which are totally against the prophet teachings
@sabi: Thats because my dear, Islam maybe religion of peace, muslims are certainly neither peaceful nor tolerant.
I was reading in another article today that the Americans took Pakistan's flag to the moon on an Apollo mission. And this is how you treat theirs?
I am a bounty hunter lets do the analysis for is it worth taking this business? There is guy in Pakistan with 10 million dollar bounty and he is roaming around free and bounty declared by a government. This yahoo name Chitralli does not have any money other wise he would have declared ten million dollar and not ten million rupee for bunch of people. 100 Rupee equals to one dollar. Ten million rupee = not worth me getting off my chair. My best bet is to go after the ten million dollar guy.
Chances are this bounty money must be part of US aid funds
meanwhile, the pakistani mullahs were busy chasing the christians out of their ancestral villages and the lahore police could be found vigorously scrubbing quranic verses from ahmadi tombs and mosques...
@sabi:
"Is this the teaching of Quran?"
Apparently, these religious fanatics think so. Are there so wrong? You will find the truth answers if you do an independent and dispassionate research and contemplation.
Why dont I see these kind of news on Dawn or anyother veteran paper?. ET is more like a saas-bahu drama now. There is always something interesting to read on ET or they make it up.
A sincere question: Does Quran says that it OK to kill a person defaming the Prophet? Someone told me that it is the duty of a Muslim to kill such a defamer. Did not believe that.
The US President condemning this anti-Islam film should put the matter to rest since it would serve no useful purpose to accuse the American govt who are not in party with the lunatic producer of this controversial film.
Don't they see anything wrong with putting a 'bounty' over the life of a living-breathing human being whose only offence is deliberate ridicule of a faith. This action further worsens the already bad reputation of Muslims as being violent among peoples of the other faiths and nations.
Instead of glorifying the teachings of quran and sunnah to rebout the neagative immage of Islam they are exciting public to go voilant.Is this the teaching of Quran?.Quran clearly gives a guideline and that is ignore such people and shy away peacfully with such person.
How ridiculous is this. Look at all the money these parties have to throw around on assassinations. If you want to act in the name of Islam use the same money to dispel misconceptions in a constructive manner instead of playing into stereotypes created by this bigoted and hateful movie. Alternatively, you could use the money to feed the needy or educate children. Alas, logic is scarce these days
right move by the JIU to put bounty and demand government of Pakistan to extradite the US ambassador if the US government does not ban showing of the said movie which hurt feelings of Muslims across the world. The anti Islamic elements should know Muslims despite their general ignorance towards their religion cannot tolerate any hurting statement towards their religion or beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him). Beware of it.
And add ... I am setting a factory to manufacture American flags for export purposes. I can guarantee it will be made from the best inflammable material possible. Any orders? Planning to export them to Egypt. Tunisia. Libya...discounts available.
Yahoo its time for action! Let's go and burn some flags. BTW how many American flags do Pakistan import annually for burning purposes?
this movie was shown once in one theater and there were only 10 people in the entire theater. Producer and Director are some unknown people that no one really knows and for Muslims of the world to treat this movie like some big conspiracy against Islam is pathetic. However, it is even more pathetic when leader of a party is comparing this with Holocaust. When I watch talk shows on pakistani channels or articles like this in your newspapers I feel like these anchors and the so called intellectuals are living in an alternate reality. I hope Muslims of the world stop making a fool of themselves soon. They claim to be not afraid to give their lives for the honor of their prophet, but in claiming that they degrade their religion and their prophet as that honor should not be at the mercy of some unknown person putting a you tube clip about their prophet. If they think that the honor of their religion and their prophet is so fragile that it can be damaged by a child with Down's syndrome or a third rate movie that hardly anyone in the US had heard/seen before Muslims started to engage in reprehensible violent acts. Now that they have created so much noise a lot more people are watching it and wondering how can such a low budget class less movie dishonor anyone.....
Why is Pakistan so poor and struggling?
Every Taimur, Danish and Haroon has millions of dollars to offer on various people's heads!!!
"Members of JIU accused the US and Israel of conspiring against Islam and portraying Muslims as terrorists and extremists. They also set fire to American and Israeli flags." how ironic!