Karachi ‘anti-Islam film’ protest turns violent

Dawn.com Published September 17, 2012

Protesters hurl back tear gas fired by police, unseen, to stop them from walking toward the U.S. consulate during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. —AP Photo

KARACHI: A rally in Karachi in protest of an anti-Islam film met with shelling from police personnel on Monday as the demonstrators tried to march on the US Consulate, DawnNews reported.

The rally was being led by the Islami Jamiat-i-Talaba (IJT), the student wing of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI). The atmosphere turned tense when the protestors, demonstrating near the city’s MT Khan road, tried to march towards the US Consulate located a small distance from the scene of the protest.

A large contingent of Rangers and police personnel was guarding the area, and roads had been blocked in anticipation of the protests.

Security personnel opened aerial fire to stop the protestors from marching towards the high security area where the consulate is located. Clashes ensued as demonstrators pelted security personnel with stones, damaging one of their vehicles.

A senior police official said 30 students were arrested at the demonstration organised by the religious party.

A demonstrator died Monday after being shot in the head during similar clashes with police near the US consulate on Sunday, a hospital official told AFP.

Angry Muslims demonstrated across Pakistan in protest of the low-budget movie, entitled “Innocence of Muslims”, which ridicules the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The religiously offensive film has sparked fury across the Muslim world.

Earlier today, a person was killed and two others were injured by police gunfire during a similar protest in the Upper Dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province.

Protests in Peshawar also turned violent as rallies taken out separately converged towards the US consulate, which had prompted the administration to beef up the cordon by deploying extra personnel, stopping the mob from getting close to the consulate on Khyber Road.

Up to 3,000 university students, teachers and employees marched in Peshawar after boycotting classes, police had said.

The foreign ministry condemned the film last week, saying it would provoke hatred and had hurt the people of Pakistan.

“The government of Pakistan strongly condemns the airing of a defamatory video clip in the US, maligning the revered and pious personality of Prophet Mohammad,” said a statement issued by the ministry.

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Sep 17, 2012 02:16pm

Adil, you got a very good point. We shall stop all the madness. If we need protest, it got to be peaceful. Now prove you are a good peaceful Muslim AS WE SHALL BE.

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Umair

Sep 17, 2012 06:30pm

Ali, fantastic response!

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Umair

Sep 17, 2012 06:28pm

Couldnt agree more.

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the truth

Sep 18, 2012 06:23pm

the reason for the upheaval of protests is very right. i thinks it is very just if we as muslims object on this blasphemy.... true, however, it is crazy that we cause our ownselves harm by burning down muslim property when we protest against someone in america who is probably in no freaking harm right now!!! the reason of our protest is a 200% valid but the way we protest really is unacceptable..... to the muslims out there, regroup, reform and think... reflect on to what your religion teaches you. use some common sense and donot harm the economy of this islamic republic. there are peaceful ways of demonstration... post your ideas online let the world know what this man has done! but donot ruin yourselves in the process. be peaceful and be just. donot harm those who donot have a share in this. donot harm the innocent. to those of a different religion... ponder.. how would you react if a respected position in your religion was made target of this blasphemy? if not as muslims... for the sake of humanity. atleast consider this wrong in your hearts. donot harm the religion which never harmed you. the teachings of islam ask us to respect other religions. inturn islam deserves respect... i donot ask you to come onto the roads or change the world! just please consider think and reflect. how would you feel? put yourself in our shoes! thanx

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Call me a Munafiq

Sep 17, 2012 06:22pm

I am intrigued where all these people went to learn islam. Burn down every thing in the name of allah and the prophet, how retarded is that ? is this what your prophet taught you ? is this the message of peace? Correct me if i am wrong, if anyone now says, that islam is a violent religion, who are you to blame then ? yes by your acts islam is a violent religion.. and now you will argue oh the meaning of islam is peace.. right.. thats how you show peace and tolerance ? and why not called the kid killed in the protest a shaeed ? i am sure some of you will. and the guy sitting in the US consulate has nothing to do with the film, the person guarding the consulate is none other than your own specie, might well turn out to be your neighbor , go kill him and make his kids fatherless and say nara-e-takbeer Allah akbar... what a shame you all have caused to humanity , to pakistanis, to muslims. smh !

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Bobby

Sep 18, 2012 02:35am

I'm just amazed at the power of a sick man who stirred unrest in so many nations!!!Why can't we just have pity on this man for his ignorance and corruptness and look beyond.Maybe this is exactly what he or she wanted.And what kind of protest is this where we burn our own house???

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Bobby

Sep 18, 2012 02:37am

You are so right..We are being played for fool by such people and we end up attacking our own people and damaging our own properties!!Who's the loser here?????

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Sep 18, 2012 03:11am

thank you

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Pramod

Sep 18, 2012 03:44am

Once a Japanese leader who visited Pakistan was asked a question. When Pakistan will be in a state where Japan is today and he replied perhaps never because people of Pakistan are more worried about after life than this life,

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Yousuf

Sep 17, 2012 07:53pm

Surely protest ...but why punish ourselves...punish the guilty person or govt behind it..not burning our own city and calling strikes in our own city.

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kazim

Sep 17, 2012 11:56am

I don't understand why only the people are protesting. No Govt. has yet protested against this movie. Does no Govt. have any religion ? Are they not muslims

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M.Hafeez

Sep 17, 2012 11:55am

Surely they are in loss who remained in their homes.Hazrat Muhammad PBUH is most beloved one for us.if we will not protest how we will face Him on the day of judgement and beg for shafaet.

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Seedoo

Sep 17, 2012 12:53pm

The maker of the movie is definitely no one of them, as he has got instant fame and may even be laughing all the way to the bank

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Muddassir

Sep 17, 2012 01:46pm

Adil-sb! What do you think that we should follow our routine work despite of demonstrating the anger against anti Islam? A true Muslim strongly desires to sacrifice his life for honour the holy Prophet PBUH. I agreed that we have to bear loss by staging strikes if we wish enjoy peaceful, healthy and independent world. Decision is our own

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ABL

Sep 18, 2012 05:41am

This is real blasphemy! I saw the 14 minutes video and felt like the same people demonstrating on the streets. Deliberate disrespect of our Holy Prophet (PBUH). But, then I cooled down and thought again. WHY? Why is this heinous attempt made? And the answer was crystal clear. THEY want us (Ummah) to disintegrate, destroy our own property, kill each other, and behave indiscriminately. I think, they have achieved their objectives!!! It is the duty of our leaders (Global Muslim Leaders) who should educate our population and help them understand on "how not to become their puppets".

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Satyavrat Singh

Sep 18, 2012 05:24am

violence in any form need to be condemned. No religion in the world advocate for violence Peace be upon EVERY ONE

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Aadil

Sep 17, 2012 11:23am

"Up to 3,000 university students, teachers and employees marched in Peshawar after boycotting classes... " who is at a loss here ?

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ALI

Sep 17, 2012 11:59am

@ aadil !!!! Dude but the wrong should be protested ...... otherwise we will lose our respect and self respect too .....

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Gulshan

Sep 17, 2012 11:59am

Pakistan Zindabad. We don't need enemies. We can and will destroy ourselves.

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Saz

Sep 17, 2012 12:07pm

Wonder when we will learn.

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raj

Sep 17, 2012 12:09pm

Protest is Okay but burning your own street and doing arson on street is not a good idea. Who will be at loss at the end of day...???

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Sep 17, 2012 02:13pm

Ali, Islam does not appreciate protest on such things. We just have to be better Muslim now to show them what real Muslim is. Our Prophet was disrepected in his time too by very few people, but Allah told Him (PBH) to pray more instead of saying bad or wrong thing to them.

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Ali

Sep 17, 2012 02:06pm

indeed one should join your club & in the name of protest burn public & private property (Which belongs to someone who never insulted Prophet (P.B.U.H)), lets rewind the clock & go 1400 years back did Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) ever said to burn property & start killing people if anyone insulted him?, I don't think so. Inshort what you do in the name of protest is against the teaching of Prophet (P.B.U.H) it self, i guess you & your club will be begging for his shafaet for sure.

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Observer

Sep 17, 2012 03:23pm

god help you if your self respect is dependent on a criminal who decided to make this movie that shows muslims as violent idiots

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ahmed

Sep 17, 2012 03:50pm

GDP is just a worldly gain. Religion is our spirituality.No one in this world is allowed to mock any religious prophets,saints, popes and pundits. There should be intolerance policy in whole world over these issues. No one religion or sect should be permitted to mock feelings of people by some other person or community.

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AHMAD

Sep 17, 2012 03:58pm

This is not the question of rupee. This is a matter of faith. Protest is ones right but not the voilence. Laxmi is not every thing, Sandip.

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Muhammad Irfan

Sep 17, 2012 04:30pm

Alas! Our beloved Prophet is being disgraced and we the Ummatis are counting profit and loss...

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Sep 17, 2012 04:31pm

How many anti-christ movies have been made. Yes, we protest peacefully and let it go. Unless you are really insecure about your religion you will behave in this manner (violent protest with burning and killing). What, to make a point that your religion is a peace loving religion? Think?? and think again?? and think yet again before acting like hooligans.

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a wise man

Sep 17, 2012 01:00pm

that's why the condition of muslim nations like this....they are still immature.

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muzjee

Sep 17, 2012 05:03pm

The anti-Muslim film is clearly intended to provoke Muslims. Muslims must not take the bait but respond with civility. There is no excuse that can be used to justify the violence and the killing of the U.S. ambassador in Libya and other U.S. diplomats. Islam does not prescribe any punishment for blasphemy. The Quran instructs Muslims to walk away from those insulting their faith. Islam protects freedom of speech, and the Prophet Muhammad

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Yousuf

Sep 17, 2012 07:50pm

Dear Sandip, no need to take offense but wont it make sense to protest against somebody who mock your parents or the people whom you love the most. May God wrath be upon the person who made this film. However I agree to your point that it does not make sense to destroy your own property in order to protest. This only make us to punish ourselves rather than punishing the guilty.

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Ahmed

Sep 17, 2012 05:05pm

We all know about Abu Huraira's mother and Hazrat Mohammad SAW prayer for the people of Taif. Doubtless the personality of Mohammad SAW was the best of human creation and deserve the best of respect. But I don't believe Prophet Mohammad would like us to behave like a mob. Prophet Mohammad was peace loving and believed in strategies and was a great strategist. We need to stop being emotional, counter and rebut in the most effective way.

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Sep 17, 2012 06:32pm

If they were that smart, would they kill people over a video, no matter how offensive?

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Sep 17, 2012 06:33pm

Who needs education when you can riot for kicks?

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Rayhan Khan

Sep 17, 2012 06:40pm

It is an opportunity that Allah(SWT) has given us to show and glorify personality of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). He asked for guidance of people from Allah(SWT) in tough times instead of demonstrating anger and cursing them.

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atual

Sep 17, 2012 06:45pm

The burning & arson of property also is Pakistan's property,not US property,when are people going to realize?Today, bcoz of internet anybody can post anything,there is no control on anybody,is it in your hands?

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Sandip

Sep 17, 2012 12:50pm

Not sure why people have so much time in South Asia? No wonder our GDP is so low. BTW violence against whom? Violence is against your own people meaning killing your own GDP. Do people really dont have any work and get involved in such petty things?

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asallaam

Sep 17, 2012 07:44pm

this is a nice one gulshan... i could not have said it better

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Agha Ata

Sep 17, 2012 07:20pm

Did American government make the movie or was it just one person who made it?

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Sean

Sep 17, 2012 05:41pm

The problem that I think people are missing is the protests give the film maker, if a weak amateur clip like this can be called a film, to much credit by protesting. You are attributing worth to them by your actions. A better way would be to dismiss him as a below response and laugh at his poor quality work.

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A Muslim

Sep 19, 2012 09:40am

While i get your point of strongly desiring to lay your life for the honor of the holy prophet pbuh, isn't it more honorable to follow his example? The sahaba e karam used to emulate the holy Prophet pbuh as a sign of immense love and respect, to be more like him, to follow his sunnah....please point ONE example where the sahaba decided to murder each other when the prophet pbuh was disrespected? Which is what muslims today are doing. Killing each other to show the 'kaafirs' a lesson..way to go! May ALLAH guide us all

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Shamama Shabbir

Sep 19, 2012 04:51am

Totally agree with you instead of protesting against the act we are protesting against each other creating distress in the society we are helping them to prove their point that we are a terrorist but v all know Islam became popular by Holy Prophet's (P.B.U.H) behaviour & not sword. Leave the justice in Allah's Hand all we can do is constrain from all such stuff which creates unrest in society. Have we forgotten the hadith which was something like if you harm your neighbour you are not amongst us. So what are v doing today & who is encashing our rage give it a thought.

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Angry Muslim

Sep 17, 2012 02:42pm

It's not the movie (as silly as it is). It's political factions using the movie to stir up their agenda.

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