KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today praised his political rival PAS for agreeing to shed its political differences and take a stand along with Umno for the sake of Muslim solidarity.
“Two days ago, I phoned PAS’s Nasrudin Tantawi and together we agreed to put aside our differences.
“Umno Youth gathers today in solidarity with PAS, unlike their political allies,” Khairy said in his speech at today’s protest against the anti-Islam film and a satirical cartoon of Prophet Muhammad in a French magazine that has inflamed Muslims worldwide.
The protest held outside Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru after Friday prayers saw thousands of Muslims gathering with banners and placards.
Taking digs at DAP, the Rembau MP slammed PAS’ DAP partners in Pakatan Rakyat for not joining the the protest and urged PAS to leave Pakatan as DAP has allegedly not shown solidarity in protesting against the film, ‘Innocence of Islam’, and caricatures that badly depict the video.
He claimed he brought along many people of various races, from BN component parties MCA and MIC as well, to protest against the "demeaning acts" committed by the film producer, Sam Bacile.
“However, (Beruas MP) Ngeh Koo Ham said that this (protest) is a waste of time,” said Khairy.
At the demo, Khairy also demanded that the the US and French governments take action against the filmmaker and the cartoonist.
Led by Khairy, the protesters had gathered at the venue shortly after Friday prayers. Bearing banners and placards denouncing the video, the protestors remained calm at Khairy’s urging and conducted their protest in a peaceful manner.
Speakers such as Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali, as well as other NGO leaders, addressed the crowd and criticized the availability of the video as well as the US government. The demonstration was brief, and the crowd dispersed peacefully around 2.30pm.
Meanwhile, at the US Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak, another crowd had gathered to voice their displeasure on the same issue. Organized by PAS Youth, the protesters also bore placards and banners denouncing the act and called for the US government to exact full punishment on the filmmaker.
In anticipation of the protest, the US Embassy yesterday announced that it would be closing at 11am today, and reopen Monday.
Police presence at both venues were considerable, as a precaution to ward off untoward incidents.
Both Umno Youth and PAS Youth had initially agreed to conduct a joint demonstration at the US Embassy. However, Khairy had told the media that based on consultation with the police on safety and logistics aspects, it would be safer for both parties to do their protests separately.
Both groups were also protesting against the publication of several anti-Prophet cartoons, which were carried by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo earlier this week.
The protest isn’t only limited to the Klang Valley. In Penang, a group of Muslims led by the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) had also organized a similar protest this afternoon.
The video clip, a trailer of a film titled ‘Innocence of Muslims’ has incurred the wrath of Muslims worldwide due to its insulting portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad. Despite the clip having been uploaded on YouTube since July, its existence was only made known last week, and the controversy surrounding it has since escalated.
Anti-American sentiments have broken out in certain Muslim countries as result of the clip. The filmmaker, identified as Egyptian-born Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, has since been taken under police protection in the US together with his family following death threats issued.
- mD
