After two massive gatherings, another protest organized against the ‘blasphemous’ film.
By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: Protests against the anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslim’ continues in city. A United Forum of 13 Muslim organisations have come together to register their protests against the film.
In a conference at the Bharat Sabha Hall in Kolkata on October 15, the community leaders warned the US administration of banning the film, else face consequences. They have warned that the US President would not be allowed to land on the soil of Kolkata, unless the film is banned.
Muslim Organization’s united Convention against Anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslims’ at Bharat Sabha Hall, Kolkata on 15th October, 2012
The anonymous declaration was that ‘blasphemy cannot be tolerated, in the name of freedom of expression.’
Before this conference, two leading Muslim organisations, All India Minority Youth Federation and Ashikan-E-Rasul had earlier organized two protests conventions on September 27 and October 5 in the state capital, where turnout was in large numbers.
In the Bharat Sabha Hall on Monday, Imam of the famous Nakhoda Mosque Maulana Md. Shafique emphasised that the film is part of the conspiracy against Islam. He added that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is a symbol of peace, and so any attempt to insult him is detrimental, not only to Muslims, but to all humanity.
Muslim personalities in a mass convention against Anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslims’ at Esplanade East, Kolkata on 5th October, 2012, organised by Ashiqan-E-Rasul Committee
The protest-convection tried to put a united opposition against such conspiracies against Islam and Muslims.
Renowned Urdu writer Syed Ali requested the clerics, several organisations and people to stand united against any such attempts.
Muhammad (pbu) : Mercy of Mankind, Placard in hand of the gathered Muslim women in a convention against Anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslims’ at Esplanade East, Kolkata on 5th October, 2012, organised by Ashiqan-E-Rasul Committee
The Secretary of All India Minority Youth Federation, Muhammad Kamruzzaman said, that there are talks of inviting US President on the occasion of Swami Vivekanada’s 150th Birth Anniversary, but declared that Muslims would not allow him to land in the city till he bans the film.
Kamruzzaman also requested the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee to respect the sentiments of the Muslims and not invite the US President till such orders.
He added that they will organise another mass-gathering in coming January at Kolkata’s Brigade Maidan.
Mass gathering against Anti-Islamic film `Innocence of Muslims’ at Esplanade East, Kolkata on 27th september, 2012, organised by All India Minority Youth Federation
Mufti Shams Tabrez of the of Ashikan-E-Rasul Committee too reiterated the demand to ban such an insult to the ‘beloved Prophet.’
Other organisations, who took part in the convention, included the West Bengal Madrasa Students Union, All Bengal Muslim Think tank Association, West Bengal Sunnat Al Jamat, All Bengal Minority Council, Banglar Mukti Manch, etc.