NEW DELHI, April 4: Tens of thousands of Indian Muslims on Friday held special prayer meetings and protests against the US-led war in Iraq.

In the capital, witnesses said up to 80,000 anti-war protesters marched through the streets shouting slogans against United States President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Organizers said protesters also came from other states.

The demonstrators gathered at the Jama Masjid and tried to march to the American Centre but police stopped them a few kilometres away.

In Kolkata more than 20,000 gathered to pray for those killed in the military action, condemn the war and call for a boycott of American and British products.

Tipu Sultan Mosque’s Imam Noorur Rahaman Barkati, who led the prayers, told AFP: “This special Friday prayer was to condemn the US-led strike on Iraq which has so far claimed hundreds of innocent lives, including many children and women.”—AFP