- Title: INDIA: Indian Muslims slam anti-Islamic film, brand it US conspiracy
- Date: 13th September 2012
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (SEPTEMBER 13, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF THE JAMA MASJID MOSQUE IN NEW DELHI PEOPLE CLIMBING THE STAIRS OF THE MOSQUE A MARKETPLACE PEOPLE WALKING ELDERLY MUSLIM MEN TALKING A TRADER, AFTAB ALAM, TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN, AFTAB ALAM, SAYING: "I read the news in the newspapers today morning. I would say that it's no surprise that th
- Embargoed: 28th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Politics,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVAHQ9N9NGQ8OGQBDSR9CLSQPI3
- Story Text: Muslims in New Delhi on Thursday (September 13) condemned the film about Prophet Mohammad, accusing it of being blasphemous and an anti-Islam US conspiracy.
The film triggered violent protests in Libya and Egypt in which the US ambassador to Libya and three embassy staff were killed in an attack on the Benghazi consulate and a safe house refuge, stormed by Islamist gunmen, who blamed America for the film.
Aftab Alam, a businessman in Delhi's Muslim-dominated old quarters, said the film was yet another American conspiracy against Islam and Muslims and the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi was a consequence of that.
"I read the news in the newspapers today morning. I would say that it's no surprise that the American consulate in Libya was attacked. The film against Prophet Mohammad was made in America and this clearly shows the conspiracy that country always hatches against Muslims. I also think that what America has done can spread to other parts of the world as well," said Alam.
For Muslims, any depiction of the Prophet is blasphemous and caricatures or other characterisations have in the past provoked protests across the Muslim world.
Mohammad Irfan, another trader in the crowded market next to the 17th century sand stone Jama mosque, said that Islam taught amity and that if a film portrayed it in a negative light then one should raise his voice against it.
"Islam teaches you brotherhood and peace. I heard that a film has been made in America which is against Islam and Prophet Mohammad. It's very unfortunate, and such a film should be condemned and we should protest it. I heard a revolution has been started in some countries and people have been killed as well. What is right is right and what is wrong is wrong, simple logic," said Irfan.
Clips of the movie, posted on YouTube under several titles including "Innocence of Muslims", portrayed the Prophet engaged in crude and offensive behaviour.
Clips had been posted online for weeks before apparently triggering violent demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Sagheer Mirza, a shopkeeper said that though the film was in bad taste and should not have been made but violent protests and attacks against it were not acceptable and that people should show restraint.
"Well I would like to say that these films should not be released on the net or any sort media. This is not the purpose to show the film. If you have any of your own idea about the film or about Prophet Mohammad then you should not show it to everybody. What is happening in that area, it should not be happening. People should keep calm. If you have complaints about any film or anyone, then you should not show your aggression. I think it is very bad what was happening over there, it should not be happening," said Mirza.
US pastor Terry Jones, who inflamed Muslim anger in 2010 with plans to burn the Koran, had said that he had promoted the film "Innocence of Muslims", which US media said was produced by an Israeli-American property developer. Clips of another film called "Mohammad, Prophet of Muslims", circulated for weeks before the protest.
That film portrayed Mohammad as a fool, a philanderer and a religious fake. In one clip posted on YouTube Mohammad was shown in a sexual act with a woman.
Many Muslims consider any depiction of the Prophet offensive and any depiction of him can cause outbursts of anger in the Islamic world and among Muslims in Europe. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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