Bangladeshi Islamic Parties Protest Against Anti-Islam US Film

New Delhi, Sept 24, IRNA - Twelve Islamic and like-minded parties enforced a countrywide dawn-to-dusk srike in Bangladesh for protesting the release of the anti-Islam film 'Innocence of Muslims' that triggered violent protests across the Muslim world. The daylong nationwide passed off peacefully amid tight security, partially disrupting life and businesses in the capital and major cities. They protested against the government’s restrictions on their planned rally in the capital on Saturday as well as against a US anti-Islam film and publication of an obscene cartoon of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in a French magazine. According to media reports received, sporadic incidents of attack on passing vehicles occurred at different points in the first few hours of the strike in the capital. Police detained several people on charge of damaging vehicles at Mirpur. Educational institutions, most shops and private companies were closed. Some 10,000 additional police were deployed in the capital to fend off trouble. In Chittagong pro-Islamist activists set a double-decker bus on fire at Badamtoli crossing and damaged several vehicles at Rahatterpul and Tulatoli and put up barricades on Chittagong-Khagrachari road in front of Hathazari madrassah. Meanwhile, the Islamist groups will hold demonstrations across the country on September 27, demanding release of their leaders and activists detained during the strike. A 14-minute trailer for the video titled “Innocence of Muslims,” was uploaded on the internet depicting Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a derogatory manner. According to media reports, the video is a brain child of a 52-year old Israeli-American, Sam Bacile who had received a donation of $ 5 million from 100 Jewish donors to make a movie called “Islam is Cancer.” The film had sparked fury among Muslims around the globe in which 10-12 people have lost their lives./end