Thousands rally in Bangladesh to protest Macron comments in cartoon row

Dhaka, October 27

Thousands of Muslims took to the streets of the Bangladesh capital on Tuesday to protest towards remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron in a row about cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.

The dispute has its roots in a knife assault outdoors a French college on October 16 through which a person of Chechen origin beheaded Samuel Paty, a trainer who had proven pupils the cartoons in a civics lesson on freedom of speech.

France has allowed shows of the cartoons, that are thought-about blasphemous by Muslims.

Macron paid tribute to Paty, describing him as a “quiet hero” devoted to instilling the democratic values of the French Republic in his pupils.

Protesters in Dhaka unfurled placards with caricatures of Macron and shouted slogans, demanding an unconditional apology and the ouster of the French ambassador.

Many carried placards bearing messages equivalent to “Stop Islamophobia”, “Boycott France” and “Lay siege to the French Embassy in Dhaka” as they marched in the direction of the French embassy earlier than police stopped them.

“Muslims will not let this go in vain,” stated Atiqur Rahman, a spokesman for the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a rightwing group.

“He (Macron) needs mental treatment. He has not only made himself the enemy of Islam, but of all peace-loving people too,” he stated, whereas calling for a boycott of French merchandise.

France warned its residents residing or travelling in some Muslim-majority international locations to take additional safety precautions on Tuesday as anger surged over the cartoons.

After the beheading, Macron declared conflict on “Islamist separatism”, which he believes is taking on some Muslim communities in France.

But Macron’s name has angered Muslims in lots of international locations and sparked protests and requires boycotts of French items.

Pakistan’s parliament on Monday handed a decision urging the federal government to recall its envoy from Paris, hours after its Prime Minister Imran Khan hit out at Macron for “attacking Islam”. Reuters