Philippine Muslims wants Denmark's apology

Hundreds of angry Muslims on Friday burned a mock Danish flag outside a Manila mosque, demanding an apology from Denmark's prime minister over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad first published in a Danish newspaper.

Photo: Philippine Muslims wants Denmark's apology

"Muslims love Prophet Muhammad. Peace be upon him," read a streamer carried by the protesters after noon prayers at Manila's Quiapo district mosque. "Punish the Jyllands Posten Denmark publisher," it said.

The protesters ripped apart a Danish flag made of cardboard, then set it on fire. They also demanded that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemn the caricatures.

"An immediate apology is highly in order. The Prophet Muhammad is no terrorist but a prophet who espouses the wisdom of Allah, the almighty God," said Mujiv Hataman, a Muslim member of the House of Representatives.

Almarin Tillah, chairman of the Bangsamoro National Congress, an umbrella of Muslim civil society groups, brought along copies of the caricatures, including one showing the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban with a protruding stick of dynamite, reports the AP.

I.L.