ISLAMABAD: Around 400 lawyers rallied against a sacrilegious film made in the US on Friday, burning an effigy of US President Barack Obama and marching towards the city’s diplomatic enclave to deliver a protest note at the US embassy.
Wearing black and white headbands and carrying banners saying “Our beloved prophet, to hell with your freedom of expression”, they chanted anti-US slogans and urged the government to expel the US ambassador and sever diplomatic ties with Washington. The crudely-made “Innocence of Muslims” movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the world.
The city experienced the worst of the violence last Friday, when nationwide rallies mobilised more than 45,000, many members of right-wing religious parties. At least 21 people were killed and 229 wounded, mainly in clashes with the police.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2012.
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