Religion of Peace Riots in Bangladesh
Fri, Sep 21, 2007 at 8:39:19 am PDT
It’s Friday, the day of Islamic prayer, and worshippers in Bangladesh poured out of mosques and started rioting in the streets—over an utterly harmless and inoffensive cartoon. (Hat tip: Ringo.)
Street clashes have broken out in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, as Islamic activists protested over the publication of an “offensive” cartoon.
Witnesses say that hundreds joined the protest, even though such demonstrations are officially banned under the country’s state of emergency.
Police baton-charged some of the protesters as they tried to break through barricades.
The leading Bangla-language newspaper published the offending cartoons. Prothom Alo has since apologised for them and said that it has sacked an editor.
Islam is Bangladesh’s state religion and past governments have banned publications for insulting Muslim. The country’s religious traditions are moderate but some people believe conservatives are becoming more influential.
Witnesses say the violence began after Friday prayers, when protesters tried to break through barricades put up to prevent them reaching the Prothom Alo offices.
This is what they’re rioting about:
Translation:
* Boy, what is your name?
- My name is Babu.
* It is customary to mention Muhammed before the name.* What is your father’s name?
- Muhammed Abu* What’s this in your lap?
- Muhammed cat
